TAMPA, Fla. — The Boston Bruins clinched a convincing victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a score of 4-0 on March 8, 2025. Leading the charge was Cole Koepke, who scored twice against his former team, showcasing efficiency and skill with two goals on just two shots. Mark Kastelic and Nikita Zadorov also contributed to the scoreline, helping Boston capture only its second win out of the last ten games. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman was impeccable, earning his fourth shutout of the season by stopping all 26 shots he faced.
The Bruins got off to a strong start even amid roster changes on the eve of the game. The most significant shift was the decision to trade long-time captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers just the day before, marking the end of an era for the franchise. General manager Don Sweeney emphasized the need for future planning, describing the transition amid the trade deadline as tough but necessary.
Despite these changes, the Bruins proved their mettle against the Lightning. The first goal came about halfway through the second period, occurring at 10:32. Newly acquired Casey Mittelstadt intercepted Nick Perbix's pass and took aim at Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Although Vasilevskiy made the initial save, Koepke was quick to capitalize on the rebound, pushing the puck over the line.
Ryan McDonagh, defenseman for the Lightning, noted after the game, “We were definitely sloppy with the puck on our stick. Turnovers were at an all-time high for us, but we got outworked.”
Adding to the Bruins' tally, Mark Kastelic extended the lead by shooting past Vasilevskiy for the second goal of the evening. Swayman was the star of the night, having previously faced struggles—he had not won since February 4 against Minnesota and entered the contest with two wins away from home since December. His ability to maintain composure and stop tough shots, like the one from Brandon Hagel when the score was still tight, was instrumental for the team.
"Brandon Hagel had the tying goal on his stick with the puck sitting free at one point, but Swayman’s quick reflexes kept the puck out of the net," Erik Erlendsson of the Associated Press reported.
The Bruins' defense was effective throughout the game, with Tampa Bay limited to shots from the outside. The diligent backcheck and solid play kept Tampa at bay, with the home team trying to break through but finding no success. Notable missed opportunities for the Lightning included Hagel's near goal—in which his shot hit the crossbar—and Oliver Bjorkstrand hitting the post, both significant bounces against them.
"They just played harder than us, I think," Hagel said post-game. "They just outworked us. That is basically the bottom line."
Following the three goals scored by the Bruins, Nikita Zadorov sealed the match with an empty-net goal late in the game after Tampa coach Jon Cooper pulled Vasilevskiy for the extra skater. This was particularly poignant, as Zadorov was one of several new Bruins scoring contributors from recent trades.
The game couldn't have come at a more timely moment for the team as it battled for playoff positioning. With this win, they now sit just two points out of the wild card position, with 17 games left in the season.
“We can't get these points back. We can’t look through the rearview mirror,” Cooper stated. He remained confident about his team's path forward, emphasizing the importance of learning from the encounter. “We’ve got to look straight ahead. We have to show them how we play.”
The Bruins, now bearing the marks of their new era, look poised for improvement. Each new player brings energy to the roster, as demonstrated by Mittelstadt's debut with an assist on Koepke’s first goal. Boston's hard work on the ice could prove pivotal as they adjust to their new lineup.
What was initially expected to be a rough adjustment may become the ignition needed for the Bruins to regain momentum as they attempt to secure their place again. Boston will look to extend its success with their next game against the Florida Panthers on March 11.