The Boston Bruins (32-20-3) take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (34-14-4) in the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series, an outdoor spectacle featuring two Atlantic Division rivals. The Bruins enter on a three-game win streak but face a daunting task against a Lightning team that has won seven straight at home and leads the season series 1-0. With chilly conditions expected (around 42°F at puck drop), this nationally televised game could be defined by special teams and goaltending depth. Broadcast on ESPN, SN, and TVAS.
Venue Location
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, FL
Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET
Recent Team Forms
Both teams are among the hottest in the league, but Tampa Bay’s home dominance stands out.
Boston Bruins (8-1-1 in last 10 games, on 3-game win streak):
The Bruins average 3.4 GPG in their last 10, allowing 2.5 GPG (positive margin of +0.9). They’ve shot 11.2% with strong penalty killing (85.7%). Recent results:
Jan 31: W 3-2 OT @ PHI (1 G, efficient PP)
Jan 29: L 1-4 @ BUF
Jan 27: W 3-1 @ DET
Jan 25: PPD @ CBJ
Jan 23: W 5-4 @ STL
Overall, Boston ranks 12th in GPG (3.1) and 15th in GA/G (2.9), with a power play at 20.5% (18th).
Tampa Bay Lightning (9-0-1 in last 10 games, on 2-game win streak):
The Lightning average 3.9 GPG in their last 10, allowing 2.4 GPG (positive margin of +1.5). They’ve shot 12.8% with elite shot suppression. Recent results:
Jan 31: W 4-3 OT @ WSH (3 G, strong comeback)
Jan 29: W 5-4 vs UTA
Jan 24: W 4-1 @ OTT
Jan 22: L 3-4 SO vs CHI
Jan 19: W 5-3 vs DAL
Overall, Tampa Bay ranks 3rd in GPG (3.5) and 5th in GA/G (2.7), with a power play at 25.3% (5th).
Injury Report
Boston Bruins:
Elias Lindholm (C): Out – Upper Body
Pavel Zacha (C): Out – Upper Body
Jordan Harris (D): Out – Ankle (IR)
Tampa Bay Lightning:
Victor Hedman (D): Probable – Elbow
Brayden Point (F): Out – Lower Body (IR)
Charle-Edouard D’Astous (D): Out – Lower Body
Emil Martinsen Lilleberg (D): Out – Undisclosed
Key
Player Matchups
Injuries force adjustments, with Tampa Bay’s depth tested without Point and potentially Hedman. Boston’s forward lines are thinned, shifting pressure to their stars.
David Pastrnak (BOS) vs. Nikita Kucherov (TB): Pastrnak (league-leading 42 goals, 0.98 PPG) thrives on the PP; Kucherov (35 goals, 1.15 PPG) leads Tampa’s offense and could exploit Boston’s PK (78.4%, 24th).
Brad Marchand (BOS) vs. Steven Stamkos (TB): Marchand (agitating winger, 0.85 PPG) disrupts; Stamkos (veteran sniper, 0.92 PPG) anchors the second line and PP.
Charlie McAvoy (BOS) vs. Brayden Point (TB, out): McAvoy (top-pair D, 0.62 PPG) logs heavy minutes; with Point out, Tampa relies on Anthony Cirelli (defensive center) to match Boston’s speed.
Jeremy Swayman (BOS) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB): Swayman (2.45 GAA, .918 SV%) starts for Boston; Vasilevskiy (2.38 GAA, .921 SV%) is Tampa’s backbone.
Tampa’s blue line, led by Burns and potentially Hedman, could dominate Boston’s depleted forwards.
Series History
The Lightning hold a 50-44-8 all-time edge over the Bruins. In recent matchups, Tampa Bay averages 3.6 GPG while Boston scores 3.1 GPG. Recent games:
Oct 13, 2025: Lightning 4-3 Bruins (TB won on road)
Mar 25, 2025: Bruins 3-2 Lightning (BOS won at TB)
Jan 15, 2024: Lightning 5-2 Bruins (TB won at home)
Oct 14, 2023: Lightning 6-3 Bruins (TB won at BOS)
Mar 4, 2023: Bruins 4-3 Lightning (BOS won OT at home)
Tampa Bay has won 3 of the last 4, including the season opener.
Betting Trends
Tampa Bay is 29-23 ATS this season (19-7 ATS at home), while Boston is 24-31 ATS (10-18 ATS on road). The Lightning’s games hit the over 48.1% of the time (25/52), and combined, these teams average 6.6 GPG (exceeding the total by 1.1). However, outdoor games trend under (4-1 U/O in last 5 Stadium Series). Boston is 2-5 SU in last 7 vs. Tampa; the over is 3-2 in last 5 head-to-head.
Game Odds
Boston Bruins 5.5
Tampa Bay Lightning – 225
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 31, 2026
