NHL News: Lightning's Brandon Hagel Facing Suspension
Things are getting mighty heated in the Battle of Florida. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel is facing a potential suspension after taking a five-minute interference major for a huge hit against Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in the third period of Game 2 of their series. The NHL's Department of Player Safety has requested a hearing today with Hagel, and then will mete out the discipline.
Brandon Hagel will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for this hit on Aleksander Barkov.
— SleeperNHL (@SleeperNHL) April 25, 2025
Hagel was given a 5-minute major for interference on the play. pic.twitter.com/tcapKpGwdi
The puck was nowhere near Barkov on the play when Hagel left his feet to deliver the huge blow, and it appears that his shoulder made contact with Barkov's head.
It'll be a phone call hearing for Hagel with the DoPS.
Sasha Barkov leaves game after massive hit from Hagel
Barkov remained down on the ice for some time before being helped off. He did not return to the game.
Afterwards, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice was none too pleased, and offered up just a one-word answer when asked if he had an update on Barkov's status.
HC Paul Maurice when asked if he had an update on Aleksander Barkov: “Nope.”
— Katie Engleson (@KatieEngleson) April 25, 2025
"Nope," was all Maurice would say.
The two benches were really going at it after the hit, in a war of words.
Florida Panthers are all telling Kucherov that he's going to get it for Hagel's hit on Barkov. Things are about to get nasty in the Battle of Florida. https://t.co/SrbUqGm0hn
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) April 25, 2025
Panthers threatening Kucherov after Hagel hit on Barkov
Beat writer Joe Haggerty says the Panthers players were telling Lightning star Nikita Kucherov that he will be the one to pay the price for Hagel's hit on their captain.
The Battle of Florida is about to get real ugly.
The Panthers already had Jesse Puljujarvi suspended at the end of the regular season for a headshot on a Tampa player.
Game 3 of the series, which the defending Stanley Cup champs lead 2-0, is set for South Florida for Saturday at 1pm Eastern. Whether Hagel will be in the lineup for a must-win game for the Bolts is to be determined at the hearing.
