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Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice announced Thursday that defenseman Aaron Ekblad will be out for the rest of the regular season. The Panthers are quite confident that he will return for Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Ekblad left Tuesday’s 5-3 loss against the Montreal Canadiens with an undisclosed injury. This was just the fourth game since Ekblad returned to the lineup following a two-week absence.
Per HC Paul Maurice, Aaron Ekblad will most likely be out until game 1 of the playoffs. Maurice said he is quite confident Ekblad will be 100% and ready for game 1.
— Katie Engleson (@KatieEngleson) April 4, 2024
Ekblad has notched four goals and 14 assists for 18 points, averaging 21:08 of ice time this season with the Panthers.
The Windsor, Ontario product was oringally selected No. 1 overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Ekblad won the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year in 2014-15. In 675 career games, Ekblad has 115 goals and 232 assists for 347 points.
A large part of the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup Finals last spring, Ekblad had two goals and six assists for eight points, averaging 23:57 of ice time in 20 games.
The Panthers are 47-24-5 with 99 points, second in the Atlantic Division and two points behind the Boston Bruins for first. Whoever finishes second will likely face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs, which the Panthers did last spring, defeating them in five games in the second round to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Florida is set to face off against the 33-37-4 Ottawa Senators tonight and the Boston Bruins on Saturday for a matinee game.
More must-reads:
- Report: Hurricanes pull extension offer for HC Rod Brind'Amour
- Watch: Stars, Golden Knights trade goals in first period of Game 5
- The 'Highest career PPG in the playoffs' quiz
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