Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

NHL suspends Panthers' Aaron Ekblad for dirty hit on Lightning's Brandon Hagel

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for two playoff games for elbowing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel, the NHL announced today (April 29).

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Tampa Bay Lightning Tenacious Forward Out for Game Five

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After falling 3-1 in their opening round 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Florida Panthers, after a devastating loss in Game Four, the team announced Tuesday afternoon that forward Brandon Hagel will miss Game 5.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / April 29

Lightning’s Brandon Hagel out for Game 5 against Panthers

One of the important players on the Tampa Bay Lightning roster is going to miss their biggest game of the season. On Tuesday, head coach Jon Cooper told reporters that forward Brandon Hagel will not play in Game 5 of the team’s Atlantic Division Semifinal against the Florida Panthers.

Jonathan Toews News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NHL Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The NHL began awarding the Conn Smythe Trophy to the most valuable player of the postseason beginning in the 1965 season. How many of the past winners can you name in six minutes?

Brandon Hagel News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 29

Lightning’s Brandon Hagel to miss Game 5

Lightning top-six winger Brandon Hagel has been ruled out for Wednesday’s Game 5 matchup against the Panthers as he remains in suspected concussion protocol, head coach Jon Cooper said (per the team).

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / April 29

Lightning’s inability to capitalize on five-minute power play in Game 4 could come back to haunt them

A huge turning point happened in Game 4 of this postseason edition of The Battle of Florida, and it might cost a team a chance at moving on to the second round.

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / April 29

Reaction across NHL over Ekblad’s retaliatory hit on Hagel

Reaction across NHL over Aaron Ekblad’s retaliatory hit on Brandon Hagel

The Florida Panthers’ Game 4 victory has been overshadowed by a controversial hit from defenseman Aaron Ekblad on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel.

Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Controversial hit could lead to Aaron Ekblad suspension

Watch: Panthers stun Lightning with two goals in 11 seconds to take 3-1 series lead

What cities should get NHL expansion teams?

The 'No. 1 overall draft picks in NHL history' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / April 29

3 Takeaways From Lightning’s Game 4 Collapse

Following a blatant hit to the head from Aaron Ekblad on Brandon Hagel, who did not return to the action in Game 4, the Tampa Bay Lightning scored two goals in 11 seconds to capture a 2-1 lead in the second period.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Breakaway on SI / April 29

How Lightning Ended Up on Brink of Elimination

Despite having all of the necessary pieces to make another run at the Stanley Cup, the Tampa Bay Lightning are staring down their third straight first-round exit.

NHL News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 29

Panthers, Lightning combine for historic Stanley Cup playoffs feat in Game 4

Game 4 of the first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning delivered an unforgettable moment in NHL history.

NHL News / Athlon Sports / April 29

Lightning Coach Is Fed Up With One Thing in Panthers Series

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper voiced his frustration over the events taking place in Game 4 against the Florida Panthers. Cooper was visibly frustrated when asked about Brandon Hagel's exit from Monday's game following an unpenalized hit from Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

Aaron Ekblad News / Athlon Sports / April 29

Lightning Captain Sends Clear Message on Impact of Aaron Ekblad's Hit

The Tampa Bay Lightning fell 4-2 to the Florida Panthers in Game 4 on Monday night, but much of the postgame attention focused on a second-period hit. Aaron Ekblad leveled Brandon Hagel with a high hit near the boards midway through the second period, catching the Lightning forward in the head with a forearm.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Breakaway on SI / April 28

Lightning HC Tired of Talking About Questionable Hits

The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves down 3-1 in their opening-round series to the Florida Panthers and on the brink of elimination. Not only are the Lightning playing far from their best hockey, the series with their cross-state rivals has gotten pretty chippy, to say the least.

Jon Cooper News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 28

Lightning’s Jon Cooper’s ‘tiresome’ admission after brutal Game 4 loss to Panthers

It wasn’t that long ago that Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper saw a “good sign” that his team would have home-ice advantage in the playoffs. Now, he is singing a different tune following a challenging Game 4 loss to the Florida Panthers in the NHL first round. The Lightning lost 4-2 and now trail the Panthers 3-1.

Brandon Hagel News / ESPN / April 28

Lightning's Hagel leaves G4 loss after high hit

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel left his club's Game 4 loss to the Florida Panthers Monday after a high hit from defenseman Aaron Ekblad that wasn't penalized in the second period, and he was still being evaluated well into the third period.

NHL News / Yardbarker / April 28

Watch: Panthers stun Lightning with two goals in 11 seconds to take 3-1 series lead

In a flash, the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2-1 Game 4 lead over the Florida Panthers turned into a 3-2 deficit.

NHL dropped the ball by not suspending Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk

Connor Hellebuyck, Darcy Kuemper, Andrei Vasilevskiy named Vezina Trophy finalists

The 25 most unlikely Stanley Cup Final heroes

The 'Most NHL goals scored in a season by U.S. born players' quiz

Andrei Vasilevskiy News / The Hockey Writers / April 28

Lightning Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy Named Vezina Trophy Finalist

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has been named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, along with Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck and Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper.

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 28

Hellebuyck, Kuemper, Vasilevskiy named Vezina Trophy finalists

Connor Hellebuyck, Darcy Kuemper, Andrei Vasilevskiy named Vezina Trophy finalists

Connor Hellebuyck of the Jets, Darcy Kuemper of the Kings and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Lightning have been selected as the NHL’s Vezina Trophy finalists as the league’s top goaltender for the 2024-25 season, the league announced Monday.

Stanley Cup playoff takeaways: Connor Hellebuyck narrative not going away

What cities should get NHL expansion teams?

The 'NHL yearly saves leaders since 1994-95' quiz

NHL News / Field Level Media / April 27

Lightning bring restored belief to Game 4 vs. Panthers

Suddenly, the Tampa Bay Lightning are feeling more alive. Make no mistake -- the Florida Panthers still lead this Eastern Conference first-round series 2-1.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Inside The Rink / April 27

NHL Playoffs: Lightning Grind Out First Win of Series in Game 3

Down 0-2 in the series and going on the road, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew they had their work cut out for them heading into Game 3. They were dealt another blow Friday night when Brandon Hagel was suspended one game for a late hit on Aleksander Barkov, making him ineligible to play in this game.

NHL News / House of Hockey / April 26

Jon Cooper Blasts Paul Maurice With Comments After Lightning/Panthers Game 3

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper used Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice's words against him after their Game 3 win in Sunrise. We've officially got ourselves a series in the Battle of Florida; the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 5-1 to cut into what was a 2-0 series lead at the beginning of the day.

NHL News / Field Level Media / April 26

Lightning dispatch Panthers to make series closer

Nick Paul scored the go-ahead goal in the second period as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the host Florida Panthers 5-1 on Saturday afternoon in Sunrise.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Inside The Rink / April 25

NHL Playoffs: Tampa Bay Lightning Offense Struggles in Game 2 Loss

Coming off an embarrassing loss in Game One, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew they needed to be a lot better in Game Two to avoid going down 0-2 in their first-round series against the Florida Panthers.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / April 25

How do the Lightning bounce back after 0-2 series deficit

The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in a difficult position. Going into their first-round matchup against their state rival, the Florida Panthers, the Lightning had home-ice advantage and many pundits picked them to take down the defending Stanley Cup champions.