Lightning’s Brandon Hagel to have hearing for hit on Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov

Apr 25, 2025, 10:59 EDT

Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Brandon Hagel

Credit: Oct 4, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Some extra punishment looks to be in order of a recent act in the Battle of Florida.

On Friday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel will have a hearing for his hit on Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov.

Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel will have a hearing today for interference against Florida’s Aleksander Barkov.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 25, 2025

The incident occurred in the third period of Game 2 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals on Thursday night. Barkov was chasing a puck into the Lightning zone when he was met with a hard from Hagel in the corner. The Panthers captain fell to the ice hard before crashing into the endboards.

Brandon Hagel with a big hit on Aleksander Barkov 😳

Hagel received a penalty for interference, and Barkov headed to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/eGA9L2xagf

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2025

Barkov labored off the ice, mostly under his own power. However, the Finnish center seemed to be a little dazed after the collision.

As a result of the play, Hagel was given a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct.

Thankfully for the defending Stanley Cup champions, the absence of their on-ice leader didn’t alter the course of the game, as the Panthers won the game 2-0, taking a 2-0 lead in this postseason edition of The Battle of Florida.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice didn’t give an update about Barkov’s status after the game. Barkov’s availability for Game 3 might not be revealed until the day of the contest. Playing without the team’s captain wouldn’t be anything new to Florida, as Barkov missed a few games earlier this month due to an upper-body injury.

Hagel has been known for his gritty game, which has made him an important piece for the Lightning since being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2022. The only time the 26-year-old has ever faced supplemental discipline was during the 2022 postseason, coincidentally against the Panthers. Hagel was fined $3,750 for bearing Cats forward Eetu Luostarinen in Game 3 of that series.

Tampa would go on to win that series on their way to a third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance.

Game 3 between the Cats and Bolts is set to take place in Sunrise on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for a little after 1 p.m. ET.