Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel has been dominant in the opening round of this year's iteration of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, to say the very least.
As a whole, the Lightning have scored 11 goals through the first four games of their First Round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. Six of those have come off of Hagel's stick.
Hagel has also scored in each of the first four games, which according to Benjamin Pierce, ties the Lightning franchise record for the longest goal streak to start a playoff series. Overall, Hagel's goal streak is currently tied for the third-longest playoff goal streak in franchise history. He's tied with players like Victor Hedman, Steven Stamkos, and, of course, Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis.
Heading into this season, Hagel had only scored six career playoff goals and now he's doubled that figure in just four games.
If Hagel hadn't stepped up like he has, the Lightning could very well be fighting for their playoff lives. Instead, the 27-year-old continues to find new ways to show his value to the organization.