In a significant turn of events for the Tampa Bay Lightning, forward Brandon Hagel has been suspended for one game due to an illegal hit on Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov during Game 2 of their Stanley Cup Playoff series. The suspension, announced by the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Friday, means Hagel will miss Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round, which is set to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
The incident occurred at 9:51 into the third period of Thursday's game, with the Panthers leading 1-0. As the play unfolded, Barkov pressured Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh deep in the Tampa Bay zone. With the puck already past Barkov, Hagel delivered a high and forceful body check that sent the Panthers captain crashing into the boards. The referees assessed the hit as a five-minute major for interference, although Hagel was not given a game misconduct.
Barkov left the game immediately following the hit and did not return. He appeared visibly dazed and in pain as he exited the ice. After the game, Florida head coach Paul Maurice did not provide an update on Barkov's condition, stating, "He hasn't been ruled out yet and he hasn't been cleared." This uncertainty leaves the Panthers' lineup in a precarious position as they prepare for Game 3, where they currently lead the series 2-0.
Hagel's suspension marks the first disciplinary action taken by the NHL in this postseason. The league's Department of Player Safety emphasized that Barkov was not in possession of the puck at the time of the hit, making him ineligible to be checked. The department noted, "It's important to note that Barkov is never in possession of the puck on this play and is therefore not eligible to be checked in any manner." While Hagel argued that he anticipated Barkov would play the puck, the NHL determined that he failed to ensure Barkov was eligible for a hit, resulting in the suspension.
This incident is particularly impactful for the Lightning, as Hagel has been one of their top performers this season. In 82 regular-season games, he achieved career highs with 35 goals and 55 assists, totaling 90 points. Despite his impressive season, Hagel has yet to register a point in the first two games of the playoff series against the Panthers, where Tampa Bay has struggled offensively, scoring only two goals across both games.
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper expressed surprise at the severity of the penalty, stating, "Refs make the call. I was a little surprised it was a five, but it was." The Lightning, who were the highest-scoring team in the regular season with an average of 3.56 goals per game, now face the challenge of rallying without one of their key players.
As the series progresses, the Lightning's scoring woes have become a pressing issue. They lost Game 1 decisively, with a score of 6-2, and were shut out 2-0 in Game 2. The team will need to find a way to generate offense if they hope to mount a comeback against the Panthers, who are playing strong, physical hockey.
Meanwhile, Barkov's status remains a crucial factor for the Panthers. The captain has proven to be an invaluable asset, contributing three assists and winning 22 of 33 face-offs (66.7 percent) in the series thus far. He was second on the team during the regular season, tallying 71 points (20 goals and 51 assists) in just 67 games. His absence could significantly impact the Panthers' performance as they look to advance further in the playoffs.
"He’s irreplaceable. He’s an irreplaceable player," said Panthers defenseman Seth Jones after Game 2. "Face-offs, power play, penalty kill, 5-on-5, playing against their top lines with matchups every night. One of the best centermen in the League. Obviously, he’s super important to our team."
The Lightning will need to adopt a next-man-up mentality as they prepare for Game 3. Forward Mitchell Chaffee noted, "Obviously, 'Hags' is a big part of this team and everything we do, but throughout the season we've always had that next-man-up mentality. When someone goes down, gets hurt or whatever happens, the rest of us have to step up and get the job done."
With the series poised at 2-0 in favor of the Panthers, the Lightning must find a way to adapt and overcome the challenges posed by both their opponent and the absence of Hagel. The stakes are high as they prepare for a crucial Game 3, where every moment counts in their quest for the Stanley Cup.
As Tampa Bay gears up for this pivotal matchup, fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team responds to the adversity. Can they overcome their scoring struggles and find a way to break through the Panthers' defense? Only time will tell as the battle for playoff supremacy continues.
