Lightning’s Hagel suspended for Game 3 for his late hit that injured Panthers’ Barkov

By Canadian Press on April 25, 2025.

NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Hagel will miss Game 3 of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s first-round playoff series after getting suspended for his late hit that knocked Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov out of Game 2.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety suspended Hagel for a game for interference after a disciplinary hearing with him earlier Friday. Game 3 is Saturday at the Panthers.

Florida coach Paul Maurice said Barkov had not been ruled out but also had not been cleared to play, adding he has multiple lineup options if one of the best all-around forwards in the league was not available.

Hagel was assessed a major penalty for interference after sending Barkov hurtling into the boards with the puck gone midway through the third period. Barkov left and did not return, and the call of a major penalty was upheld by on-ice officials after video review.

The defending Stanley Cup-champion Panthers lead the cross-state rivalry series two games to none and can push the Lightning to the brink of elimination with another victory.

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AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

The Associated Press

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