Lightning's Brandon Hagel Out Again on Tuesday

Winger's lower-body injury will keep him sidelined for fourth straight game.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:38pm

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Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel will miss his fourth consecutive game on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators due to a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old winger's status beyond Tuesday's matchup remains uncertain, as the Lightning are taking a cautious approach with his recovery through the end of the regular season.

Why it matters

Hagel has been a key contributor for the Lightning this season, providing depth scoring and physical play. His absence leaves a hole in Tampa Bay's forward group as they push for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

The details

Hagel suffered the lower-body injury at some point prior to the Lightning's game against the Senators on April 4th. He has now missed the team's last three games and will sit out Tuesday's contest as well. The Lightning have not provided a specific timeline for Hagel's return, but they are likely to err on the side of caution with the playoffs approaching.

  • Hagel has missed the Lightning's last three games.
  • He will sit out Tuesday's game against the Senators.
  • The Lightning have not announced a timeline for Hagel's return beyond Tuesday.

The players

Brandon Hagel

A 27-year-old winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning who has been sidelined with a lower-body injury.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The NHL team that Hagel plays for, currently pushing for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

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What’s next

The Lightning will continue to monitor Hagel's recovery and provide updates on his status leading up to Thursday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.

The takeaway

Hagel's injury is a setback for the Lightning as they look to solidify their playoff positioning, but the team is taking a cautious approach to ensure he is fully healthy before returning to the lineup.