Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel has been ruled out for Game 5 of the team`s first-round playoff series versus the Florida Panthers.
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper confirmed on Tuesday that Hagel will not be available for the upcoming pivotal contest.
The Lightning are currently trying to avoid elimination in the series, as the reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers hold a commanding 3-1 lead.
Hagel sustained an injury during the second period of Game 4 on Monday night. The injury occurred after he received a hit in the chin area from Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
Following the hit, Hagel immediately departed for the dressing room. Ekblad was not assessed a penalty on the play.
The 26-year-old Hagel had a highly productive regular season, achieving career highs with 35 goals and 55 assists, totaling 90 points.
However, Hagel has yet to register a point through three appearances in the current playoff series. He previously served a one-game suspension following a hit in Game 2 that injured Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.
Tristan Blackwood