If you were looking for the Tampa Bay Lightning score from Friday night, the news is a bit of a gut punch for the Bolts nation. The Tampa Bay Lightning lost 3-2 to the St. Louis Blues in a nail-biting shootout at Enterprise Center.
It was a weird one. Honestly, the Lightning probably should have won this game based on how much they controlled the puck, but that’s hockey for you. One hot goalie can ruin a whole night, and that’s exactly what Joel Hofer did for St. Louis. He turned away 34 shots in regulation and then went a perfect three-for-three in the shootout.
This loss didn't just end a road trip game; it snapped a massive 11-game winning streak. Tampa was on the verge of setting a new franchise record, but they’ll have to settle for tying the old one.
The St. Louis Blues Stun the Bolts
The first period was a disaster for Tampa Bay, at least on the scoreboard. They were out-shooting the Blues, but St. Louis managed to score twice in just 30 seconds. Jake Neighbours got things started at the 17:03 mark, and before the PA announcer could even finish the details, Nick Bjugstad made it 2-0.
Vasilevskiy didn't have much of a chance on those. The defense had a momentary lapse, and in the NHL, 30 seconds of "bad" is all it takes to find yourself in a hole.
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Kucherov and the Power Play Response
You can never count out Nikita Kucherov. Ever. In the second period, the Lightning got a 5-on-3 opportunity, and they didn't waste it. Kucherov blasted a one-timer past Hofer to cut the lead in half. About a minute later, Oliver Bjorkstrand tied it up with another power-play goal.
Suddenly, it was a brand-new game.
The third period and overtime were a lot of skating and a lot of "almost" moments. Tampa Bay outshot the Blues 36-21 overall. Darren Raddysh made a massive sliding block in overtime to save the game, but the offense just couldn't find that third regulation goal.
The Shootout Heartbreak
When it went to the shootout, it felt like the momentum was on Tampa's side. Vasilevskiy is usually a wall in these situations. But Jordan Kyrou was the only skater to find the back of the net.
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Hofer stayed composed, stopping Gage Goncalves, Jake Guentzel, and finally Kucherov to seal the deal.
Friday, January 16, 2026 – Final Score Details:
- Final Score: St. Louis Blues 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (SO)
- TBL Goals: Nikita Kucherov (24), Oliver Bjorkstrand (7)
- STL Goals: Jake Neighbours (12), Nick Bjugstad (6)
- Winning Shootout Goal: Jordan Kyrou
- Goalie Stats: Vasilevskiy (19 saves), Hofer (34 saves)
What Most People Get Wrong About This Loss
People look at the score and think the Lightning played a sloppy game. That’s actually not true. They dominated the puck. They had 15 shots in the second period alone. If you look at the "expected goals" metrics, Tampa Bay should have walked out of there with a 4-2 win.
But Hofer was playing out of his mind. Sometimes you just run into a "hot" goalie who decides he isn't letting anything else in. The Lightning earned a point for the overtime loss, so their record moves to 29-13-4. They are still sitting comfortably at the top of the Atlantic Division, though the Detroit Red Wings are breathing down their necks with 62 points as well.
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Where the Lightning Go From Here
The road trip isn't over yet. The Bolts have to shake this one off fast because they’re heading to Texas.
They play a matinee game against the Dallas Stars on Sunday, January 18, at 2:00 PM EST. Dallas has been struggling at home lately, losing three straight at the American Airlines Center, so this is a prime "get-right" game for Tampa.
If you're tracking the standings for the playoffs, keep an eye on the power play. While they went 2-for-2 in the second period against the Blues, they've been a bit streaky lately. Getting Kucherov and Point back into a rhythm on the man advantage will be the key to starting a new winning streak.
Next Steps for Lightning Fans:
- Check the Lineup: Keep an eye on the status of Brayden Point; he's been battling through some minor stuff lately and his speed is vital for the Dallas matchup.
- Watch the Matinee: Tune in Sunday at 2:00 PM EST to see if Vasilevskiy can bounce back against a Dallas team hungry to break their home losing skid.
- Monitor the Standings: With the Red Wings tied at 62 points, every single "loser point" or regulation win matters for home-ice advantage.