Bruins Lose Third-Period Lead to Lightning Again

Boston's playoff clinching opportunity slips away as Tampa Bay rallies late

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game in motion, with players and the ice surface broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color, capturing the intensity and movement of the sport.The Bruins' inability to hold a late lead against the skilled Lightning highlights the team's need to close out games against top competition.Boston Today

The Boston Bruins (43-27-10) lost 2-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning (49-25-6), extending their losing streak to five games. Morgan Geekie scored his 38th goal of the season to give the Bruins the lead, but two Lightning goals in the third period decided the game. The Bruins are now tied with the Ottawa Senators for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Why it matters

The Bruins had a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win, but instead let another third-period lead slip away against the Lightning. This marks the third time this season the Bruins have blown a late lead to their Atlantic Division rivals, raising concerns about their ability to close out games against top competition.

The details

The Bruins took a 1-0 lead in the second period on a breakaway goal by Morgan Geekie, set up by a stretch pass from Charlie McAvoy. However, the Lightning scored two unanswered goals in the third period to rally for the victory. The loss extends Boston's skid to five games, while Tampa Bay snaps a three-game losing streak.

  • The Bruins took a 1-0 lead in the second period.
  • The Lightning scored two goals in the third period to take a 2-1 lead.

The players

Morgan Geekie

A forward for the Boston Bruins who scored his 38th goal of the season to give the Bruins the lead.

Charlie McAvoy

A defenseman for the Boston Bruins who made the stretch pass that set up Geekie's goal.

Jeremy Swayman

The Bruins' starting goaltender who made 20 saves in the game.

Marco Sturm

The Bruins' assistant coach who addressed the team's performance and plans for the next game.

David Pastrnak

A forward for the Boston Bruins who commented on the team's inability to hold the lead against the skilled Lightning.

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What they’re saying

“Tough loss, obviously. Feels like three times this year have been against this team, you know, we get the lead. They're too skilled and too good for us [to] not keep pushing, and you know, they came back again.”

— David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins forward

“He's feeling it again. So that's nice to see, you know, he doesn't think. That breakaway says it all. He doesn't think, he just shoots, and it goes in the net. So it's nice to see him back, you know, smiling and being confident like he is all year.”

— Marco Sturm, Boston Bruins assistant coach

“It's a good team over there. And I feel like exactly what happened tonight, it happened in the past against them. You know, those little moments. If you just look at the two goals against, that hurts. We have to move on here. Unfortunately, cost us the game, but it's still in our control, so that's a good thing.”

— Marco Sturm, Boston Bruins assistant coach

“Yeah, absolutely. I mean, he's our best guy, he's our best goalie all year long, and in those big moments, we need our best guy. So for me, it was definitely Sway.”

— Marco Sturm, Boston Bruins assistant coach

“It can get easy to get lost in the past and the future, but with this group right now, it's really important to just stay where our feet are and focus on the next challenge at hand.”

— Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins goaltender

What’s next

The Bruins have another chance to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday when they face the Columbus Blue Jackets in their final road game of the season.

The takeaway

The Bruins' inability to hold third-period leads against the Lightning has been a recurring issue this season, raising concerns about their ability to close out games against top competition. However, the team remains confident in their group and is focused on bouncing back in their next game to secure a playoff berth.