With the playoffs clinched after Saturday’s win over Boston, the Lightning are now playing for playoff seeding. That endeavor hit a bump in the road as the Bolts lost their first in a four-game road trip at Buffalo.
After the loss, Tampa is now tied with Buffalo in points for the lead in the division, but do hold the tie-breaker. The Canadiens, whom the Bolts lost to last week, are on both of their heels, only trailing in the division rankings by two points. It’s a sprint to the finish line to clinch the division with only five games left to play for The Bolts.
Nikita Kucherov scored his 400th career NHL goal, becoming only the second Lightning player to do so after Steven Stamkos. He’s scored in three-consecutive matches.
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Mattias Samuelsson #23 of the Buffalo Sabres tussles with Gage Goncalves #93 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes a save against Alex Tuch #89 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Josh Norris #9 of the Buffalo Sabres delivers a check to Scott Sabourin #46 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Jason Zucker #17 of the Buffalo Sabres reacts after scoring a goal against Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Jason Zucker #17 of the Buffalo Sabres scores a goal against Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Jason Zucker #17 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal with teammates Jack Quinn #22 and Ryan McLeod #71 during the second period of the NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres warms up prior to an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres warms up prior to an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Pontus Holmberg #29 of the Tampa Bay Lightning reacts after sliding into the boards shoulder first during the third period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save during the third period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Pontus Holmberg #29 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is helped off the ice by athletic training staff during the third period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Bowen Byram #4 of the Buffalo Sabres warms up prior to an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Josh Doan #91 of the Buffalo Sabres lines up for a faceoff during the first period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres warms up prior to an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Mitchell Chaffee #41 of the Tampa Bay Lightning stick checks Jordan Greenway #12 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes a glove save during the third period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Michael Kesselring #8 of the Buffalo Sabres warms up prior to an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Jack Quinn #22 celebrates his empire net goal with Ryan McLeod #71 of the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Jack Quinn #22 celebrates his empty net goal with Jason Zucker #17 of the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres shoots the puck into the offensive zone against Jake Guentzel #59 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: J.J. Moser #90 and Nick Paul #20 of the Tampa Bay Lightning defend against Beck Malenstyn #29 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres warms up prior to an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Tampa Bay Lightning defends against Jack Quinn #22 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Pontus Holmberg #29 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against Logan Stanley #64 of the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Mattias Samuelsson #23 of the Buffalo Sabres defends against a shot from Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Rasmus Dahlin #26 and Tage Thompson #72 celebrate with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres following an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Yanni Gourde #37 of the Tampa Bay Lightning defends against Josh Doan #91 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Jack Quinn #22 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his empty net goal with teammates on the bench during the third period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Zach Benson #6 of the Buffalo Sabres collides into Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of the NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff addresses the media following an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Darren Raddysh #43 of the Tampa Bay Lightning shoots the puck against Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff addresses the media following an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Alex Tuch #89 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the first period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Zach Benson #6 of the Buffalo Sabres defends against Nick Paul #20 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Josh Norris #9 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the first period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning collides into the goalpost as Mattias Samuelsson #23 and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres defend during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Buffalo Sabres BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Mattias Samuelsson #23 and Beck Malenstyn #29 of the Buffalo Sabres defend against Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) (Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Jake Guentzel extended his point streak to eight games with his assist on Kucherov’s goal in the first period. He also scored a goal of his own in the second.
For Tampa to hold off Buffalo and Montreal to clinch the division, Kucherov and Guentzel will have to continue to play well. However, the Bolts will ultimately have to get it done on the defensive side. They’ve given up 4+ goals in each of their last 12 losses dating back to January. The vast majority of goals have been even-strength goals, as the Bolts only gave up 11 power-play goals in that span.
Next up, they pay a visit to the Ottawa Senators tonight at 7PM.
Lightning 2 at Sabres 4 Post-Game Notes