Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss at least one game against the Lightning, depending on the next match result, after the NHL Department of Player Safety handed him a two-game suspension for elbowing Brandon Hagel in the head during Game 4. The hit occurred midway through the second period of Monday’s 4–2 Florida win over Tampa Bay.

Tensions continued to escalate in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series between the Lightning and Panthers. Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel was knocked out of Florida's 4-2 win on Monday night following a high hit from Aaron Ekblad,

After a 4-2 loss in Game 4, the Tampa Bay Lightning return home trailing the Florida Panthers 3-1 in the series, staring down elimination.