Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel will miss Game 3 of the first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Florida Panthers. The NHL announced Friday that Hagel received a one-game suspension for an illegal hit delivered to Florida captain Aleksander Barkov during Game 2. Barkov was forced to leave Thursday`s game following the hit and did not return.
The incident occurred in the third period of the Panthers` 2-0 victory. Barkov was racing Hagel and Tampa defenseman Ryan McDonagh into the corner to retrieve a loose puck. McDonagh reached the puck first and played it around the boards. Despite McDonagh winning the race to the puck, Hagel delivered a heavy hit on Barkov.
Barkov made forceful contact with both the ice and the boards as a result of the hit. He did not return to the game, and his status for Game 3 remains uncertain. Hagel was assessed a five-minute major penalty for interference on the play.
Following a review of the play, the NHL Department of Player Safety decided to suspend Hagel for one game. The league stated that Hagel delivered an “extremely forceful body check to an unsuspecting opponent with sufficient force for supplemental discipline.”
The Department of Player Safety further clarified that even if Hagel anticipated Barkov might play the puck, the responsibility falls on the hitting player to ensure the opponent is eligible to be checked. Their announcement noted, “It is important to note that Barkov is never in possession of the puck on this play and is therefore not eligible to be checked in any manner.” They added, “While we understand Hagel`s argument that he is approaching the play as if Barkov will play the puck, the onus is on Hagel to ensure that the player he is hitting is eligible to be checked.”
With Hagel definitely out for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon, attention turns to Barkov`s availability. Panthers coach Paul Maurice has not officially ruled out his captain, although Barkov was not cleared to skate on Friday.
Barkov has played a crucial role in limiting the impact of Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov throughout the first two games. If Barkov is unable to play, Florida will need forwards like Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell to step up and take on significant minutes down the middle.
Elton Marrow