NHL Goalies Swayman and Vasilevskiy Brawl During Stadium Series Game

Second goalie fight in two weeks, this time between the Bruins and Lightning in Tampa Bay.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 8:55pm

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In a highly unusual incident during the NHL's Stadium Series outdoor game between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, goalies Jeremy Swayman and Andrei Vasilevskiy left their creases and engaged in a physical altercation on the ice. The fight started after Swayman took issue with Lightning forward Brandon Hagel poking at the puck between his pads, leading to Swayman tackling Hagel. Vasilevskiy then skated down the ice to confront Swayman, and the two goalies dropped their gloves and helmets to fight each other directly.

Why it matters

Goalie fights are extremely rare in the NHL, with this being the second such incident in just two weeks after a previous fight between the Sharks' Alex Nedeljkovic and Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky. The confrontation between Swayman and Vasilevskiy is likely to generate significant discussion and debate around player conduct, on-ice discipline, and the growing tensions between certain teams and players in the league.

The details

The fight occurred midway through the second period of the Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay. After Swayman took issue with Hagel poking at the puck, he tackled Hagel to the ice and began throwing punches. Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and winger Tanner Jeannot then stepped in to pull Hagel away and cover him. But Vasilevskiy then left his crease and skated down the ice to confront Swayman. The two goalies quickly discarded their gloves and helmets and began wrestling each other, with Vasilevskiy eventually landing the first punch and forcing Swayman to the ice before referees intervened.

  • The incident occurred approximately midway through the second period of the Stadium Series game on February 2, 2026.

The players

Jeremy Swayman

The starting goaltender for the Boston Bruins.

Andrei Vasilevskiy

The starting goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Brandon Hagel

A forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Charlie McAvoy

A defenseman for the Boston Bruins.

Tanner Jeannot

A forward for the Boston Bruins.

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What’s next

The NHL is likely to review the incident and determine if any disciplinary action is warranted against Swayman, Vasilevskiy, or any other players involved.

The takeaway

This highly unusual goalie fight between Swayman and Vasilevskiy is a stark reminder of the growing tensions and emotions on display in the NHL, even among the league's elite players and teams. It raises questions about on-ice conduct, player discipline, and the challenges of maintaining control in high-stakes outdoor games.