Final: Lightning 4, Bruins 1 - Bruins lose their 6th consecutive game struggling again on the power play

The Boston Bruins have now lost six straight games. Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Bruins 4-1 as Boston yet again struggled on the power play.

In the first period, the Bruins started the game strong winning puck battles and playing as the more physical team. Despite not scoring any goals, Boston's penalty killing unit came up big as they killed two penalties against one of the best power plays in the NHL. Both Tampa Bay and Boston went into the first intermission without scoring a goal.

Then Boston's momentum started to dwindle. On their first power play attempt of the game, Brandon Hagel went on a breakaway out-skating Mason Lohrei and firing a missed shot that ricocheted off the boards behind the net. With Jeremy Swayman unable to locate the puck and no Bruin around to gain possession, Anthony Cirelli netted a short-handed goal for the first goal of the game.

The Lightning would add onto their lead later in the period, as Michael Eyssimont was able to get a shot past Swayman with no pressure on him.

Down 2-0 going into the third period, the Bruins were able to pick up their offense, but it wasn't enough for them to tie this game. Pressuring Tampa Bay for several minutes in the offensive zone, Lohrei crept towards the net and sniped the first goal of the game for the Bruins.

With five minutes left in the game, the Bruins pulled Swayman, but Hagel was able to score a shorthanded goal sealing the victory for Tampa Bay. A little after the empty net goal, the Bruins received a penalty, and Braydon Point scored a power play goal despite the game being seemingly over. 

Then things got chippy.  Mark Kastelic got into a fight with Emil Liillibreg, and Lillibreg received a game misconduct for a cross check before the fight transpired. It seemed as if the Bruins weren't happy that Tampa Bay added another goal, and more scrums happened once the final whistle was called in the game.

Yet again, the Bruins' special teams came up short. They've struggled this entire year to maintain possession of the puck on the man advantage, and this game showcased this flaw pretty well. Boston played better offense in this game firing more shots and winning more puck battles, but it still wasn't enough. Tampa Bay could've easily added one or two more goals to their lead if it weren't for strong goaltending from Swayman.

The Bruins will stay in Florida and take on the Florida Panthers this Saturday. at 1:30 p.m.

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WHO: Bruins (20-18-5) vs Lightning (21-15-2)
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

LIVE BOX SCORE

ROSTERS

PROJECTED LINES

Boston

Geekie - Zacha - Pastrnak

Marchand - Lindholm - Coyle

Wahlstrom - Frederic - Brazeau

Koepke - Beecher - Kastelic

Zadorov - McAvoy

Wotherspoon - Carlo

Lohrei - Peeke

Swayman

Korpisalo

Tampa Bay

Guentzel - Point - Kucherov

Hagel - Cirelli - Geekie

Chaffee - Paul - Eyssimont

Girgensons - Glendening - Atkinson

Hedman - Raddysh

McDonagh - Cernak

Lilleberg - Perbix

Vasilevskiy

Johansson

PREGAME NOTES

The Bruins travel to Florida taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time this season. This is the first of two games the Bruins will play in Florida this week, as Boston will face off against the Panthers on Saturday.

The Bruins are coming off an ugly 4-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers that extended their winless to streak to five. During Tuesday's loss, the TD Garden crowd let their frustration be known as “Fire Sweeney” chants and boos were given as the team left the ice.

The Bruins will play their first Stadium Series game against the Lightning. On February 1st, 2026, Boston will play at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as part of the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series.