Jack Finley Makes NHL Debut For Lightning Against Boston

BOSTON, Mass. — After sending down forward Gage Goncalves to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, the Tampa Bay Lightning called up another rookie forward to boost their bottom-six offensive core. Yesterday, Jan. 14, the Bolts called up 6-foot-6 center Jack Finley from the Crunch ahead of their game against the Boston Bruins.

Finley made his National Hockey League debut in Boston as the 22-year-old took his rookie lap on enemy territory at TD Garden during warm-ups. His father, Jeff, was also in attendance to witness his son’s debut, as he himself was an NHL player with 708 games under his belt.

Finley played just 8:25 minutes of ice time in his inaugural NHL campaign against the Bruins, shooting once on Jeremy Swayman and taking several faceoffs; he finished with a plus-1 rating. For his first game, he played very well and looked eager to participate, but his team lost 6-2 to the Bruins.

About Finley

Originally a 57th overall 2020 draft pick by the Lightning, Finley has participated primarily in the AHL for the Crunch. However, it was a long-time coming for the rookie to make his debut for the team that drafted him.

Making his professional debut in the AHL with the Crunch, Finley got a brief taste of AHL hockey while playing in the Western Hockey League during the 2020-21 season, where he skated in only two games. In four seasons with the Crunch, the center has notched 27 goals and 32 assists in 131 games.

During this season with the Crunch, he accumulated two goals and four assists for six points in ten games. He also battled a tough injury to start the 2024-25 season, but seems to have acclimated well.

Bottom-Six Concerns

Now, it is unclear where Finley will fit with the Bolts for the next games. However, the overall concern with this team is its response to the lack of offensive production from the bottom-six lines.

Relying on the top six is proving time and again not an effective method of winning, especially against division rivals such as Boston, who are neck and neck in the standings. Likewise, Finley offers size and strength to the Bolts that they simply cannot ignore.

Season 4. Episode 31. The Draft Lottery – Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- What does Don Sweeney's ideal draft pick look like?- Would Wyatt Johnston develop into this type of player if he were drafted by Boston?- Hypothetical Trade Swayman for Hellebuyck? Would you do it?- Jim Montgomery with another team collapse. Trend?& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 

1. Season 4. Episode 31. The Draft Lottery 58:26
2. Season 4. Episode 30. The Bruins Are Watching The Playoffs 44:10
3. Season 4. Episode 29. The Offseason Begins. 47:13
4. Season 4. Episode 28. A Major Announcement 01:02:59
5. Season 4. Episode 27. Losing, It's Called Bruins. 43:43