Bruins, Lightning Set for Prime-Time Showdown Under the Lights in Tampa
The Boston Bruins are stepping into the spotlight-literally-on Sunday night as they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series. This isn’t just another regular-season matchup. With 65,000 fans expected to pack Raymond James Stadium, it’s outdoor hockey on a grand stage, and the stakes are as high as the spectacle.
This marks the sixth outdoor appearance in Bruins franchise history, and the setting couldn’t be more electric. Puck drop is slated for just after 7 p.m. ET, and while the atmosphere will grab headlines, there’s a critical two points on the line between two Atlantic Division contenders.
Bruins Face Tall Task Against Division-Leading Lightning
Boston enters the game trailing Tampa Bay by five points in the standings, and head coach Marco Sturm knows exactly what his team is up against.
“They have a really good mix, starting with the goalie,” Sturm said. “Probably one of the best goalies in the league. High, high-end skilled players with some really good role players and some young kids who can actually skate.”
He’s not wrong. Tampa Bay is loaded with talent across the board, and they’ve been rolling, winning four of their last five. The Bruins will need to be sharp in all three zones, especially with puck management-a point Sturm emphasized.
“We’re going to have our hands full tonight. Just got to play our game and be very careful about our puck management.”
That game plan will have to come together without two key pieces. Boston will be missing forwards Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha, both sidelined with injuries. Their absence leaves a noticeable hole in the lineup, but Sturm isn’t letting that shake the team’s confidence.
“We believe that if we play our game the way we have been, we’re going to give ourselves a good chance,” he said. “We do miss the Lindholm and the Zacha, don’t get me wrong, but I am very confident, and I trust my young kids to do their job today."
Swayman Gets the Start, Poitras Steps In
Jeremy Swayman will get the nod in net for Boston. The 25-year-old is coming off a strong performance Thursday night against the Flyers, where he turned aside 33 shots in a win. On the season, Swayman’s posted a 2.87 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage over 37 games-solid numbers, especially with the kind of offensive firepower Tampa brings.
Up front, Matt Poitras continues his return to the NHL roster. Called up from Providence on Thursday, the 21-year-old is skating in his second game with the Bruins this season.
He’ll center the third line between Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic. Before his call-up, Poitras had 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) in the AHL and brings some fresh legs and energy to a forward group that’s missing two of its key veterans.
Pastrnak Shines on the Big Stage
If there’s one player who thrives in the outdoor spotlight, it’s David Pastrnak. The Bruins’ star winger was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Month for January, and he’s got a track record that fits the moment. Pastrnak leads all players in Sunday’s game in career outdoor goals (4) and points (5), including one of just three outdoor hat tricks in NHL history.
He’s expected to skate on the top line alongside Marat Khusnutdinov and Morgan Geekie-a trio that will be leaned on heavily to generate offense with Lindholm and Zacha out.
Lightning Loaded and Getting Healthier
Tampa Bay is coming off a convincing 4-1 win over Winnipeg on Thursday. They got goals from Dominic James, Darren Raddysh, Yanni Gourde, and Nikita Kucherov, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 23 saves in net. Vasilevskiy continues to be the backbone of this team, and his presence gives Tampa a significant edge in goal most nights.
Kucherov, meanwhile, is putting together another MVP-caliber season. With 27 goals and 82 points in 48 games, he leads the Lightning in both categories and remains a constant threat every time he’s on the ice. He’ll be skating on the top line with Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli and anchoring the first power-play unit, where he’s already netted six goals this season.
Tampa’s blue line is also getting a major boost with the return of Victor Hedman. The veteran defenseman has been out since Dec. 9 with an elbow injury but was a full participant in Saturday’s practice and is expected to be back in the lineup. Before the injury, Hedman had 12 assists in 18 games and continues to be a stabilizing force on the back end.
Under the Lights, Under Pressure
This one has all the ingredients of a classic: two division rivals, playoff implications, and a stage big enough to match the moment. For the Bruins, it’s a chance to make a statement against the team they’re chasing in the standings. For the Lightning, it’s another opportunity to flex their depth and experience in front of a national audience.
The setting may be unique, but the mission is simple: grab two points, keep climbing, and don’t let the moment get too big. For both teams, Sunday night in Tampa is more than just a spectacle-it’s a battle with real implications.