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Lightning Forward Suspended After 'Extremely Forceful' Action vs. Panthers

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced a suspension following Game 2 of the first-round series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers.

The league suspended Lightning forward Brandon Hagel for one game on Friday, following his hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov on Thursday.

Hagel will miss Game 3 on Saturday at Amerant Bank Arena, where the Panthers will play holding a 2-0 series lead.

The incident occurred midway through the third period on Thursday with Tampa Bay on the power play. As Barkov pressured Ryan McDonagh deep in the Lightning zone, Hagel delivered a heavy check after the puck had moved past the Panthers captain.

Barkov was sent hard down and remained lying on the ice before leaving the rink. Officials assessed Hagel a five-minute major for interference after review, but he was not ejected.

The Department of Player Safety described the hit as “an extremely forceful body check to an unsuspecting opponent” and noted that “Barkov is never in possession of the puck on this play and is therefore not eligible to be checked in any manner.”

The league added that Hagel’s hit included “some head contact” and had “sufficient force” to warrant supplemental discipline.

Hagel has never been suspended in his 375 regular-season and 36 playoff games, and had only previously been fined for boarding Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen in May 2022.

In a remote hearing Friday, per ESPN, Hagel argued he anticipated Barkov would play the puck, but the NHL determined the onus was on Hagel to ensure Barkov was legally eligible to be checked in that situation.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper addressed the hit and the officiating of it after Game 2.

“Refs make the call," Cooper said. "I was a little surprised it was a (major five-minute penalty), but it was.”

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) takes the ice to warm up before a Stanley Cup Playoffs game.

Barkov did not practice Friday after missing the final 10 minutes of Thursday’s 2-0 Panthers win, which saw Florida take full control of the best-of-seven first-round series.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice couldn't offer any information about Barkov right after Game 2, but he shared an inconclusive update on Friday.

“He hasn’t been ruled out yet, and he hasn’t been cleared,” Maurice said.

Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with Florida aiming to move within one win of advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

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