Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning

NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Apr 02, 2026. Final score: Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 6.

StatusFinal
DateApr 02, 2026
VenueBenchmark International Arena
Pittsburgh Penguins score3
Tampa Bay Lightning score6

Shot charts, expected goals (xG), Game Score and advanced box scores for this game are available on Hockey Alchemy.

Three Stars by Game Score

Ranked by Game Score, which rolls goals, assists, shot quality, play-driving and penalties into one number — so the best player is chosen by the box score, not by a vote.

PlayerPosGASOGTOIxGGame Score
1stAnthony CirelliC30315:080.702.56
2ndNikita KucherovR12420:450.432.17
3rdKris LetangD02020:040.002.09

Scoring Summary

TimeTeamGoalAssistsStrengthScore (Pittsburgh Penguins–Tampa Bay Lightning)
1st 05:06TBLAnthony CirelliGage Goncalves5v50–1
1st 07:01PITRickard RakellSamuel Girard, Kris Letang5v51–1
1st 16:10PITYegor ChinakhovBryan Rust, Samuel Girard5v52–1
2nd 00:11TBLAnthony Cirelli4v52–2
2nd 14:08TBLBrayden PointJake Guentzel, Nikita Kucherov5v52–3
2nd 19:05TBLZemgus GirgensonsYanni Gourde, Ryan McDonagh5v52–4
3rd 13:50TBLNikita KucherovCharle-Edouard D'Astous, Jake Guentzel5v52–5
3rd 15:33TBLAnthony CirelliGage Goncalves, Nikita Kucherov5v62–6
3rd 19:58PITYegor ChinakhovKris Letang, Anthony Mantha4v53–6

Team Comparison

Pittsburgh PenguinsTampa Bay Lightning
Goals36
Shots on goal2433
Expected goals (xG)1.854.09
High-danger shots719
Corsi %40.7%59.3%
Power play1/40/2
Faceoff %60.9%39.1%
Hits2118
Blocks1810
Giveaways1517
Takeaways44

Pittsburgh Penguins Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Kris LetangD022020:040.002.09
Samuel GirardD022118:200.241.53
Yegor ChinakhovR202418:191.131.22
Rickard RakellR101318:240.291.17
Tommy NovakC000114:270.021.02
Bryan RustR011118:050.060.56
Evgeni MalkinC000218:180.210.31
Ben KindelC000111:590.020.30
Anthony ManthaR011313:590.160.05
Noel AcciariC000012:210.00-0.25
Justin BrazeauR00009:530.02-0.29
Elmer SoderblomL000110:410.06-0.42
Sidney CrosbyC000019:430.00-0.50
Connor CliftonD000216:520.07-0.68
Ryan SheaD000116:130.04-0.91
Parker WotherspoonD000120:000.01-0.93
Connor DewarC000013:110.01-0.98
Erik KarlssonD000323:480.36-1.17

Tampa Bay Lightning Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Anthony CirelliC303315:080.702.56
Nikita KucherovR123420:450.432.17
Ryan McDonaghD011118:040.001.72
Zemgus GirgensonsC101114:500.281.59
Gage GoncalvesC022115:430.031.55
Yanni GourdeC011215:430.441.38
Erik CernakD000017:210.121.34
Brayden PointC101317:590.641.26
Jake GuentzelC022721:240.751.22
Oliver BjorkstrandR00029:280.060.65
J.J. MoserD000019:130.010.54
Charle-Edouard D'AstousD011220:580.120.52
Darren RaddyshD000221:420.170.43
Pontus HolmbergR000111:330.010.41
Corey PerryR000212:260.090.27
Mitchell ChaffeeR00019:230.20-0.20
Nick PaulL000111:000.10-0.44
Emil LillebergD000020:420.01-0.75

Goaltending

GoalieTeamSVSASV%GSAxDecision
Stuart SkinnerPittsburgh Penguins273284.4%-1.05L
Andrei VasilevskiyTampa Bay Lightning212487.5%-0.30W

Analysis

The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6–3 on Apr 02, 2026.

Tampa Bay Lightning generated 4.09 expected goals to Pittsburgh Penguins's 1.85 — the run of play matched the result, with Tampa Bay Lightning earning the better chances as well as the goals.

Anthony Cirelli led all skaters with a Game Score of 2.56 on 3 goals, 3 shots on goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning game?

The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6–3 on Apr 02, 2026.

What was the final score?

The final score was Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 3.

Who was the best player in this game?

By Game Score — a single-number summary of everything a skater did — Anthony Cirelli led all skaters at 2.56, on 3G, 0A and 3 shots on goal.

Which team deserved to win by expected goals?

Tampa Bay Lightning generated 4.09 expected goals and Pittsburgh Penguins generated 1.85, so Tampa Bay Lightning created the better chances. That matches the result.

What were the shot totals?

Pittsburgh Penguins put 24 shots on goal and Tampa Bay Lightning put 33. High-danger chances went 7 to 19.

How did the goaltenders play?

Stuart Skinner stopped 27 of 32 (-1.05 goals saved above expected); Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 21 of 24 (-0.3 goals saved above expected).