Over the last week, Brandon Hagel has been skating on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s top line with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. Since the departure of Ondrej Palat, one of the biggest questions around this Lightning team was who could play on the left wing with Point and Kucherov.
Hagel seems to be the answer to that question at the moment as he has now found the back of the net in three straight games.
That boy is heating up 🔥😮💨@TBLightning | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/viTgQn7Mx7
— Bally Sports Sun: Lightning (@BallyLightning) October 27, 2022
In 22 regular season games last season with Tampa Bay, Hagel scored just four goals and added three assists. He was unable to produce at the high level he was expected to after ripping off 21 goals to start the season playing alongside Patrick Kane in Chicago.
That lack of production a season ago had a lot to do with opportunity as Hagel found himself playing further down in the lineup and was not being counted on as much for scoring. He still found ways to be an effective player, but he is now reaping the rewards of playing increased minutes.
Over the last three games, the trio of Point, Kucherov and Hagel have combined for 10 total points. Wednesday night even saw Hagel score the game winning goal in Anaheim with an unreal shot while getting work on the Lightning’s second power play unit.
Top shelf beaut 🥅
Tie is finally broken in the third period by the Lightning pic.twitter.com/WWYIDVf1uq
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) October 27, 2022
On the first two games of the Lightning’s west coast swing, it could be argued that Hagel has been the Lightning’s best player as he has been very effective in all situations. In addition to skating on the top line and getting work on the second power play unit, he is still seeing action on the Lightning penalty kill and proving to be an effective player that can play in all situations.
Surely, Hagel will cool down again at some point and may not be on the top line for the long haul but with the increased opportunity, he has been reaping the benefits.
