The Tampa Bay Lightning (62-16-4) made history on Saturday in Boston, picking up their 62nd win over the Boston Bruins (49-24-9) 6-3 in the regular season finale. They became just the second team in NHL history to win 62 games in the regular season, joining the 1995-1996 Detroit Red Wings to claim that honor.
The Bruins had a good first period, taking control early with goals from David Krejci and Danton Heinan in the first period. As this team has done all season long, though, they had an answer. Early in the second period it was Erik Cernak coming up with a power play goal, then the team captain Steven Stamkos tied the game 2-2 with a shorthanded goal at the 12:52 mark. Stamkos's 45th goal was also his second shorthanded goal in as many games for Tampa Bay. Anthony Cirelli gave the Lightning the lead at the 16:59 mark of the period. and the Lightning would not relinquish it from there.
Nikita Kucherov scored his 41st goal in the first minute of the third period that would prove to be the game winner. After Matt Grzelcyk scored to pull within one, Brayden Coburn answered seconds later to give the Bolts back the two goal advantage. Tyler Johnson added his 29th goal at the 18:34 mark and the Lightning would get the record setting win by a 6-3 final. Nikita Kucherov finished the game with a goal and an assist - that lifts his point total to 128, most ever by a Russian-born player.
Eddie Pasquale started the season finale in net for the Bolts, just his third NHL start, and made some nice saves, finishing 30-for-33 in net to pick up the win. Tuukka Rask took the loss in net for the Bruins, making 16 saves in 21 shots for the Lightning. Tampa Bay now hope to turn their historically succeful regular season into an incredibly successful Stanely Cup run. The Bolts are expected to begin the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on Wednesday night - hear every postseason game live on News Radio WFLA.