Two goals in a 17 second span midway through the first period got Tampa Bay's offense jumpstarted. The Bolts added another pair in the middle frame before putting the game out of reach with a fifth tally in the early stages of the third period.
Brian Elliott improved his record to 8-3-3 and notched his first shutout of the season with 28 saves.
Ryan McDonagh returned from an eight-game absence, picking up an assist and skating 19:09.
The Bolts also inched two points closer to locking up their spot in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tampa Bay can clinch as soon as Tuesday with either a win over the Stars in Dallas or a regulation loss by the Islanders.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
TBL 1, BUF 0
9:21 Corey Perry (17) - Zach Bogosian
Zach Bogosian stepped up at the blue line to hold play in the offensive zone and the puck bounced to Corey Perry in the slot. As he was falling to the ice because of contact with Henri Jokiharju, Perry fired a low wrist shot that snuck through Craig Andersons' five-hole to open the scoring.
TBL 2, BUF 0
9:38 Ondrej Palat (16) - Brayden Point
Ondrej Palat's 28-game goalless drought came to an end 17 seconds later as the Bolts doubled their lead. It was Palat who started the play by forcing a turnover in the neutral zone to create a 3-on-1 chance. On the rush, Brayden Point dished to Palat on his left to snap past Anderson.
2nd Period
TBL 3, BUF 0
1:12 Brandon Hagel (24) - Anthony Cirelli, Victor Hedman
From below the goal line, Victor Hedman worked the puck to the near post for Anthony Cirelli to try and jam home. Anderson was there to deny Cirelli, but the puck squirted free to Brandon Hagel and he quickly deposited a backhander before Anderson could get over.
TBL 4, BUF 0
4:28 Nikita Kucherov (15) - Ryan McDonagh, Ondrej Palat
Out of a scramble in the slot, the puck was worked free to Ryan McDonagh at the left circle. Hedman threaded a feed to Nikita Kucherov below the opposite circle for a one-timer that stretched the lead to four.
3rd Period
TBL 5, BUF 0
2:09 Ross Colton (16) - Steven Stamkos, Nick Paul
Ross Colton put the game out of reach with his 16th goal of the season at 2:09 of the third period. After a scoring chance in front rolled off his stick, Steven Stamkos circled the Buffalo net and set up Colton for a one-timer from inside the left circle.
