Corey Perry's late score lifts Lightning past Predators, to top of Atlantic

Tampa Bay moves back into first place in the Atlantic Division with a 3-2 win over Nashville.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:06am

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Corey Perry scored the game-winning goal in the third period to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Sunday. The win moves the Lightning back to the top of the Atlantic Division standings, tied with the Buffalo Sabres in points but with a game in hand. Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel also scored for Tampa Bay, while Filip Forsberg and Joakim Kemell found the net for Nashville.

Why it matters

The Lightning's victory over the Predators is crucial as both teams battle for playoff positioning. Tampa Bay's win puts them back in first place in the Atlantic Division, while Nashville missed an opportunity to strengthen their hold on a wild card spot in the Western Conference.

The details

Corey Perry's game-winning goal in the third period came on a rebound, breaking a 2-2 tie and lifting the Lightning to the victory. Jake Guentzel had a goal and two assists for Tampa Bay, while Brandon Hagel matched his career high in goals with 35. Nashville got goals from Filip Forsberg and Joakim Kemell, but could not hold on for the win.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 30, 2026.
  • Perry's game-winning goal came at 6:52 of the third period.

The players

Corey Perry

A veteran forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

Jake Guentzel

A forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who had a goal and two assists in the game.

Brandon Hagel

A forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who matched his career high in goals with 35.

Filip Forsberg

A forward for the Nashville Predators who scored a goal and had an assist in the game.

Joakim Kemell

A rookie forward for the Nashville Predators who scored his first NHL goal in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a good team fighting for a playoff spot. I'm proud of the way the guys battled and found a way to get the two points.”

— Jon Cooper, Head Coach, Tampa Bay Lightning

“It's a tough loss, but we have to regroup and get ready for the next one. We're still in a good position, we just need to find a way to get some wins down the stretch.”

— John Hynes, Head Coach, Nashville Predators

What’s next

The Lightning will look to build on this win as they continue their push for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The Predators will need to bounce back quickly as they fight to hold onto a wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

This hard-fought game between two playoff contenders showcased the importance of each point in the standings as the NHL regular season winds down. The Lightning's ability to grind out a close victory against a tough opponent like the Predators demonstrates their championship pedigree and resilience as they aim to return to the Stanley Cup Finals.