Lightning beat the Bruins 3-1 hours after securing a playoff spot

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Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) makes a pad save on a shot by Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Corey Perry (10) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (51) celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins with defenseman Emil Lilleberg (78) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) — Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) makes a pad save on a shot by Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Corey Perry (10) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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8:04 PM on Saturday, April 4

The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Darren Raddysh broke a tie with 5:31 left and Tampa Bay beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 on Saturday night, hours after the Lightning secured a playoff spot.

The Atlantic Division-leading Lightning wrapped up the Eastern Conference postseason position with Detroit's 4-1 loss at the New York Rangers in the afternoon. Boston holds the first wild-card spot in the East.

After assisting on defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous' tying goal at 2:13 of the third, Raddysh put the Lightning ahead with a sharp-angle shot past goalie Jeremy Swayman from the right side on a break.

Nikita Kucherov added his 42nd goal of the season into an empty net, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 21 saves to help the Lightning finish a seven-game homestand 5-1-1.

Casey Mittelstadt scored for Boston in the second. Swayman stopped 20 shots as the Bruins lost their second straight on a four-game trip. They lost 2-1 at Florida on Thursday night.

Up next

Bruins: At Philadelphia on Sunday.

Lightning: At Buffalo on Monday night.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl