Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was suspended for Game 5 for his forearm hit on Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel. And Niko Mikkola was fined $5,000 for a penalty during the game, as well.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel left Game 4 of the series against 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.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to play Game 4 against the Florida Panthers on April 28. The Lightning's goal will be to stay hot after defeating the Panthers by a 5-1 final score in Game 3.

Brandon Hagel went to the locker room in the second period of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s playoff game against the Florida Panthers after taking a high hit from Aaron Ekblad.

Tensions continued to escalate in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series between the Lightning and Panthers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were temporarily inspired by a nasty Aaron Ekblad hit to Brandon Hagel that wasn’t penalized, but two dramatic late goals from Ekblad and Seth Jones aided the Panthers to a 4-2 win and a 3-1 series advantage.

The Lightning will be in a fight for their playoff lives as they take on the Florida Panthers tonight at Amalie. Why it matters: Tampa Bay is down 3-1 in the first-to-four series. A loss would end their season — and cement the Lightning's defending-champion in-state rivals as Florida's hockey powerhouse.