Tampa Bay winger scores twice in a 4-3 victory over Seattle, reaching six goals on the season as Victor Hedman delivers the overtime winner.
Brandon Hagel earned Player of the Game honors after scoring twice in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 4-3 overtime victory over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Tampa Bay left wing finished with two goals, six shots on goal, and 23 minutes and 24 seconds of ice time, providing an important offensive contribution in a closely contested matchup at Benchmark International Arena. Although Victor Hedman ultimately scored the game-winning goal in overtime, Hagel's two-goal performance helped Tampa Bay build its advantage and remain competitive throughout the contest.
Game Highlights
Seattle opened the scoring at 5:43 of the first period when Ryan Winterton finished a chance created by Frederick Gaudreau. The play began when Gaudreau pressured Tampa Bay defenseman Emil Lilleberg behind the Lightning net, forced a turnover, and moved the puck in front for Winterton to score. The early goal gave the Kraken a 1-0 lead, but Hagel helped Tampa Bay respond before the end of the opening period.
At 16:53, Hagel tied the game at 1-1. Brayden Point supplied the pass, and Hagel got behind the Seattle defense before sending his initial attempt toward goaltender Philipp Grubauer. Hagel then followed his own rebound and put the puck into the net. The goal provided Tampa Bay with an important equalizer and highlighted his ability to stay involved in a play until the scoring opportunity was complete.
Hagel struck again early in the second period, giving the Lightning their first lead of the night. At 3:38, Anthony Cirelli delivered a drop pass that allowed Hagel to release a wrist shot from the top of the left faceoff circle. The shot beat Grubauer on the glove side, putting Tampa Bay ahead 2-1. It was Hagel's second goal of the game and his sixth of the season, making him a central figure in the Lightning's offensive effort.
Seattle's Response and Overtime Drama
Seattle responded in the third period. Jared McCann tied the game at 2-2 at 2:54 with a power-play goal, converting a pass from Jordan Eberle. Tampa Bay regained the lead at 9:58 when Ilya Mikheyev scored during a scramble in front of the Seattle net. The goal made it 3-2 and marked Mikheyev's 100th career NHL goal.
The Kraken continued to fight back and forced overtime with a late equalizer. At 15:41 of the third period, Matty Beniers redirected a shot from Vince Dunn to tie the game at 3-3. The goal also marked Beniers' 200th career NHL point. Seattle's response erased Tampa Bay's latest lead and ensured the game would require extra time to determine the winner.
Hagel had another opportunity to make an impact in overtime, but Grubauer stopped his attempt. Victor Hedman then delivered the decisive play, scoring at 2:07 of overtime to give Tampa Bay the 4-3 victory. Hedman drove through the Seattle defense and finished from close range, recording his first goal of the season. His goal secured the result, while Hagel's two strikes remained among the game's most important individual contributions.
Hagel's Impact and Season Outlook
Hagel finished the game with two goals, no assists, two points, six shots on goal, an even plus-minus rating, and no penalty minutes. He did not record a power-play goal or assist. His two goals on six shots represented a 33.3 percent shooting rate for this game, a single-game figure that should not be confused with his season shooting percentage.
His 23:24 of ice time also reflected his substantial involvement in the matchup. Hagel consistently gave Tampa Bay an offensive threat, and his ability to score twice helped the Lightning answer Seattle's opening goal and establish a second-period lead. While the Kraken managed to force overtime, Hagel's finishing helped put Tampa Bay in a position to secure the win.
The performance continued Hagel's productive start to the 2026-27 season. According to the supplied statistics and the updated postgame total, he entered the matchup with four goals and four assists through five appearances. His two goals against Seattle brought him to six goals, four assists, and 10 points through six games, an average of approximately 1.67 points per game.
Team Performance and Future Prospects
The victory improved Tampa Bay's record to 5-2-0 and extended its perfect home record to 4-0-0. Seattle moved to 5-2-1 after earning a point by taking the game into overtime. The Lightning's ability to respond to Seattle's scoring efforts ultimately proved decisive, with Hedman supplying the final goal and Hagel providing two of Tampa Bay's four goals.
Hagel deserves Player of the Game recognition for his two-goal performance, six shots, and sustained offensive involvement. Hedman deserves credit for scoring the winner, but Hagel's timely goals were crucial to Tampa Bay's scoring effort. His performance against Seattle further strengthened his early-season production and gave the Lightning an important overtime victory.
Brandon Hagel's two-goal performance against the Seattle Kraken highlights his growing importance to the Tampa Bay Lightning. As he continues to excel in the 2026-27 season, Hagel's contributions on the ice are proving vital to his team's success. With a promising start to the season, Hagel is poised to remain a significant figure in the league, inspiring both fans and aspiring hockey players alike.
