The Lightning announced on Sunday that Hagel is expected to return to the lineup to face the Canadiens after missing four games with an upper-body injury.
Hagel was forced down the tunnel in the third period on Dec. 15 against local rivals Florida Panthers, after getting hit with an apparent elbow to the head and was initially listed as day-to-day. The 26-year-old has recorded 18 goals and 13 assists in 32 games this season before being sidelined.
Jon Cooper also confirmed an additional change to the lineup with defenceman Maxim Gorshev set to make his NHL debut.
Gorshev has played 27 games with the Syracuse Crunch this season, recording one goal and 11 assists, and leads all Crunch defencemen in points, assists (11), and shots on goal (50).
While Hagel’s return will provide a boost, the Lightning will be without Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed), Victor Hedman (elbow), Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed), and Erik Cermark (hand).
After hosting the Canadiens, Tampa begins a three-game road trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
