The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers will face off for Game 3 in Sunrise. The Lightning will be without one of their key players Brandon Hagel, who was suspended on Friday for his hit on Aleksander Barkov.
The hit happened midway through the third period. He was assessed a five-minute major for interference, though not a game misconduct, on the play. NHL Player Safety said in a video explanation that Barkov was never in possession of the puck, therefore he was not eligible to be checked.
"Long after the puck is gone, Hagel loads up and delivers a high, hard body check that makes some head contact on, bark off, this is interference.”
Panthers coach Paul Maurice announced ahead of Game 3 that Barkov “was good” and would be on the ice for warmups.
Cam Atkinson and Darren Raddysh will draw in for the Lightning with 11 forwards and 7 defenseman.