Brandon Hagel Leads Way As Tampa Bay Lightning Head To Montreal Even In Series

BusinessSportsMoneyBrandon Hagel Leads Way As Tampa Bay Lightning Head To Montreal Even In SeriesByTom Layberger,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about college football and sports in the Tampa Bay region.Follow AuthorApr 22, 2026, 01:34pm EDTApr 22, 2026, 01:37pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel knocks down Montréal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovský as they fight during the second period in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Enough was enough. That is what Brandon Hagel said following the Lightning’s 3-2 overtime decision versus the Canadiens on Tuesday night in Tampa. The faithful at Benchmark International Arena undoubtedly had similar thoughts. After all, their team had lost 10 of 11 at home in the postseason and 12 of its last 13 playoff games that went to overtime.At least in Game 2, the Lightning played desperate and determined from the start of a fourth period in which they outshot the Habs 9-0. They eventually broke through when J.J. Moser beat Jakub Dobes at 12:48 for his first career playoff goal. The euphoria that ensued among the 19,092 on hand, at least those not rooting for the bleu, blanc et rouge, might have been more a display of relief than anything. “I think everyone kind on knew that, in the dressing room going into overtime, we know what works,” said Hagel. “That was probably the best hockey we played in the series. It was fun to watch and that was a good thing for our team. We can kind of remember that feeling and remember the way we played and what worked because it was a clinic in overtime for us.”Hagel was asked about his Gordie Howe hat trick after scoring his third goal of the series in the first period, dropping the glov...