The Tampa Bay Lightning will have to try to rally in their playoff series against the Florida Panthers without a key forward.
Brandon Hagel has been suspended one game for his hit that injured Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in Thursday's Game 2, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Friday.
The third-period play resulted in a five-minute interference major. Barkov did not return to action following the collision.
"He hasn't been ruled out yet and he hasn't been cleared," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said on Friday when asked about Barkov's status for Game 3.
The Panthers lead the series 2-0
Hagel had 35 goals and 55 assists for 90 points, all career highs, in 82 regular-season games. He also was a member of Canada’s championship team at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Watch Game 3 of the Panthers-Lightning series on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+,
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