Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel has been suspended for one game and will miss Game 3 of the first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Florida Panthers. The suspension was announced Friday by the NHL and stems from an illegal hit delivered to Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov during Game 2.
The incident occurred in the third period of Thursday`s game, which the Panthers won 2-0. Barkov, Hagel, and Tampa defenseman Ryan McDonagh were skating into the corner, competing for a loose puck. McDonagh reached the puck first, playing it around the boards.
Despite Barkov not having possession of the puck, Hagel delivered a forceful check. Barkov went down hard against the ice and boards and was forced to leave the game, not returning. Hagel received a five-minute major penalty for interference on the play.
Following a review, the NHL Department of Player Safety determined supplemental discipline was warranted. They cited the hit as an “extremely forceful body check to an unsuspecting opponent.”
The Department of Player Safety further clarified the decision, emphasizing that players are responsible for confirming an opponent is eligible to be checked. They noted that Barkov never had possession of the puck during the sequence, making him ineligible for a check, even if Hagel anticipated he might gain control.
With Hagel definitely out for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon, the focus shifts to Barkov`s availability. The Panthers captain did not participate in practice Friday and was not cleared to skate, though coach Paul Maurice has not officially ruled him out for the next game.
Barkov is a critical player for Florida, especially in his role matching up against Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov. If Barkov is unable to play, forwards like Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell will need to step up and absorb significant ice time at the center position for the Panthers.
