| Scoring | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OTT | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| TBL | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Lightning beat Senators 4–2 at AMALIE Arena on March 28, 2026.
The Tampa Bay Lightning overcame an early deficit to defeat the Ottawa Senators 4-2 in an exciting matchup on March 28, 2026. The Lightning's resilience and offensive depth shone through, securing a critical win that solidifies their playoff positioning.
This game represented a crucial moment for both teams as they jostle for playoff positions. The Lightning entered the game riding a strong wave of confidence with a recent record of 4-0-1, while the Senators also showcased impressive form with four wins in their last five outings. Despite a history of struggling against the Senators this season, the Lightning's performance showcased their ability to bounce back from adversity.
The turning point of the game came in the second period. After falling 2-0 early, the Lightning responded fiercely with two goals within just over a minute, leveling the game at 2-2. First, Brandon Hagel got the Lightning on the board at 3:37 with a skillful play, followed quickly by Charle-Edouard D'Astous' goal just 1:37 later. This rapid-fire response shifted the momentum in favor of Tampa Bay, giving them the confidence to control the game moving forward.
In the third period, the Lightning continued to build on that momentum, scoring again at 8:51 to take a 3-2 lead thanks to Emil Martinsen Lilleberg. They capped off the strong performance late in the period with Jake Guentzel's goal, sealing the victory and ensuring their strong push for the playoffs remained intact.
Several players made impactful contributions for the Lightning in this game. Emil Martinsen Lilleberg stood out by scoring a goal and adding an assist, demonstrating his growing presence on the ice. Brandon Hagel also made his mark with a goal and an assist, showcasing his offensive capabilities. Charle-Edouard D'Astous made significant contributions with a goal and an assist as well, underlining the Lightning's depth.
The Senators' Dylan Cozens and Jordan Spence, who scored the two opening goals, started the game strong but ultimately, their efforts weren’t enough to fend off the Lightning’s comeback.
With this victory, the Tampa Bay Lightning not only improved their record to 45 wins and 95 points but also reinforced their standing as one of the contenders for the upcoming playoffs. The win adds vital momentum heading into the final stretch of the season and serves as a reminder that they can overcome challenges against teams they have historically struggled with.
On the other side, the Senators will have to regroup after a tough loss. Despite their recent success, this game highlighted the need to maintain focus throughout the entire match, especially after taking an early lead. As the season moves closer to its end, every point will matter for Ottawa as they strive to enhance their playoff positioning.
Lightning won 4–2.
The final score was Senators 2, Lightning 4.
Dylan Cozens, Jordan Spence.
Brandon Hagel, Charle-Edouard D'Astous, Emil Martinsen Lilleberg, Jake Guentzel.
James Reimer made 23 saves on 27 shots (.852 save percentage).
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 26 saves on 28 shots (.929 save percentage).
At AMALIE Arena in Tampa, the Lightning home rink.
Season series tied 1–1 after 2 games.
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