Brandon Hagel (© Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2b6bbbef-50a2-4f90-b884-11bda02f85c5.jpeg] Brandon Hagel (© Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images) The Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning] were dealt some brutal news on Friday night. Star forward Brandon Hagel was given a one-game suspension for his Game 2 hit on Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. As a result, he won't be in the lineup for the Lightning [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwruDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] in a must-win Game 3 against the Florida Panthers. Game 3 was already going to be a challenge before this Hagel news for the Lightning. This is because they are now playing on the road and are already down 2-0 in the series. However, with this Hagel suspension, things are only going to get more difficult for the Bolts for Game 3. Hagel is one of the Lightning's top players, and his 2024-25 season effectively demonstrates this. He was simply dominant this campaign for the Lightning, posting 35 goals, 55 assists, 90 points, and a plus-33 rating in 82 games. Losing that offense from their lineup will undoubtedly make things tough for the Lightning. While it is certainly troubling for the Lightning that Hagel won't be in the lineup for Game 3, they still have the potential to secure a win in the matchup. They have plenty of talent elsewhere, and if they can get their offense going, they could give themselves some life with a win. However, if they can't overcome the loss of Hagel and fall in the series 3-0, it would significantly hurt their chances of moving on to the second round. It will now be interesting to see how the Lightning perform without Hagel in the lineup for Game 3 from here. Recent Lightning News Lightning Surging Prospect Has Impressed This Season [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5c2430a9-1ac3-4f6c-a5b4-a4e7c0eb5106.jpeg] Lightning Surging Prospect Has Impressed This Season <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> prospect Dylan Duke is one of the team's most promising prospects. The 2021 fourth-round pick showed off his potential during his three-year stint with the University of Michigan from 2021-22 to 2023-24, posting 53 goals and 98 points in 122 games. However, his final season with the school was his best, as he set career highs with 26 goals, 23 assists, and 49 points in 41 games. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-surging-prospect-has-impressed-this-season] Lightning's Brandon Hagel To Have Hearing For Hit On Barkov [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/392dce78-2fb5-43a2-b3f1-db662c025f9b.jpeg] Lightning's Brandon Hagel To Have Hearing For Hit On Barkov NHL Player Safety has announced that <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> forward Brandon Hagel will have a hearing for his Game 2 hit on Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. The hearing will take place on April 25. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightnings-brandon-hagel-to-have-hearing-for-hit-on-barkov] Tampa Bay Lightning Now Facing Must-Win Game 3 [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d6018a62-d308-4c00-8c18-4da61cb168ed.jpeg] Tampa Bay Lightning Now Facing Must-Win Game 3 After a tough 6-2 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 1, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> looked to turn things back around in Game 2. Unfortunately, things did not go the <a href="https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwruDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen">Lightning</a>'s way in Game 2, either, as they fell to the Panthers by a 2-0 final score. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/tampa-bay-lightning-now-facing-must-win-game-3]
