Lightning's Hagel will miss Game 5 after hit from Ekblad
Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel won't play in Game 5 against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, head coach Jon Cooper announced.
Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad hit Hagel's head with a forearm during the second period of Game 4. Hagel left the game afterward and did not return.
Ekblad is facing a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for the hit.
Hagel set career highs with 35 goals, 55 assists, and 90 points in 82 games during the regular season. He's been held off the scoresheet in three playoff tilts, though. He was suspended for Game 3 after an interference major on Aleksander Barkov in Game 3.
The Panthers lead the Battle of Florida 3-1.
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