Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Two-point effort in clinching win
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Ekblad scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Friday's 3-2 overtime win over the Maple Leafs in Game 5 of the Panthers' second-round series.
The blueliner opened the scoring early in the first period, putting Toronto back on its heels in a game during which Florida never trailed. It's the second multi-point performance in the last three games for Ekblad, and he wraps up the five-game series against the Leafs with one goal and five points -- a remarkable turnaround after he failed to find the scoresheet at all in the first round against the Bruins. Ekblad may need to stay productive if the Panthers are going to get through the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.
Ekblad recorded a pair of assists in Sunday's 3-2 overtime victory over Toronto.
Ekblad set up Anthony Duclair's power-play tally early in the second period, tying the game 1-1, before picking up an assist on Sam Reinhart's winner in overtime. It had been a quiet postseason for Ekblad prior to Sunday's contest, with just one point in his first eight games. The 27-year-old blueliner is also coming off a down regular season offensively, with 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 71 games. Ekblad will look to build on Sunday's two-point effort, though his value is somewhat capped now with Brandon Montour taking over the point on Florida's top power-play unit.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Earns assist Tuesday
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Ekblad registered an assist in Tuesday's Game 1 win over the Maple Leafs.
It was the first postseason point for Ekblad after he was held off the score sheet in six games against the Bruins. After setting career highs in assists and points in 2021-22, the 27-year-old blueliner's production came back down to normal levels with 14 goals and 38 points in 71 regular-season outings. It seems that drop in production has carried into the playoffs, though perhaps Tuesday's helper will spark Ekblad's offensive game.
Ekblad (undisclosed) will return to action Wednesday for Game 5 versus Boston, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Ekblad should return to a top-pairing role and a spot on the No. 1 power-play unit for Wednesday's must-win contest. He's been held scoreless through three games thus far this postseason.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Out Sunday
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Ekblad (undisclosed) is not available for Game 4 against Boston on Sunday, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Ekblad was injured Friday but he's been on the ice since, suggesting that he likely isn't dealing with a long-term issue. He'll get some extra time to recover before Wednesday's Game 5 matchup back in Boston. Casey Fitzgerald is expected to dress in Ekbladk's absence Sunday.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Game-time decision Sunday
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Ekblad (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision versus Boston on Sunday, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Ekblad departed just past the halfway mark of the second period and did not return Friday. He practiced in a full-contact jersey Saturday, and coach Paul Maurice said after practice that Ekblad would be a game-time decision. Ekblad had 14 goals and 24 assists in 71 regular-season contests, but he has yet to garner a point in two playoff games.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Takes part in morning skate
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Ekblad (undisclosed) skated Saturday morning in a regular jersey, per George Richards of Florida Hockey Now.
Ekblad left Friday's contest with an undisclosed injury, so his presence at Saturday's practice is a positive sign. Still, the 27-year-old defenseman should be considered questionable for Game 4 on Sunday. Ekblad has yet to record a point in Florida's opening series against the Bruins after tallying 14 goals and 38 points during the regular season.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: No update after game
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Ekblad (undisclosed) left Friday's game against Boston and there was no update available afterward, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.
Ekblad totaled just 13:29 of ice time before exiting the game. The team expects to know more about his status after further evaluation Tuesday. If he misses any time, Casey Fitzgerald could join the lineup.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Scores power-play goal
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Ekblad scored a goal on four shots, helping the Panthers to a 2-1 win over the Sabres on Tuesday.
Ekblad fired a shot that hit the post and off Devon Levi to tie the game at 1-1. This goal extends Ekblad's point streak to five games with five points in that span. On the season, the first-overall pick from 2014 has 12 goals and 34 points in 66 games.
Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Strikes twice in Thursday's win
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Ekblad scored two goals, one on the power play, in Thursday's 9-5 win over the Canadiens.
His first tally of the night came a little over nine minutes into the first period and broke open what was already a 3-3 tie -- the first 20 minutes ended up seeing an incredible 10 goals in total, including a franchise-record seven by the Panthers. Ekblad had just one point, a goal, in his prior 12 contests, and the talented blueliner has 12 goals but only 30 points through 57 games on the season -- a far cry from the near point-a-game pace he managed in 2021-22.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Ends slump with power-play tally
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Ekblad earned a power-play goal in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Penguins.
Ekblad snapped out of an eight-game point drought and now has 10 goals and 18 assists through 53 contests, which mirrors his career points-per-game average (0.53). The venerable defenseman also has 14 points on the power play, as he's become a perennial double-digit producer in that key special teams spot. Florida desperately needs its top offensive weapons like Ekblad to pick up the pace as the team has a lot of work to do before it can sneak into the playoff picture.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Two helpers in big win
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Ekblad collected two assists, one on the power play, in Monday's 7-1 win over the Lightning.
The 27-year-old blueliner picked up right where he left off before the All-Star break. Over his last 11 games, Ekblad has two goals and 10 points, and he appears to be back in last season's elite scoring form after suffering through a slump in December and early January.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Three points in OT loss
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Ekblad scored a short-handed goal and added two even-strength assists in Tuesday's 7-6 overtime loss to the Penguins.
After picking up two helpers in a wild first period, Ekblad gave Florida a 4-3 lead midway through the second frame by finishing off a rush started by Matthew Tkachuk at the Panthers' blue line. Ekblad has three multi-point performances in the last 11 games, and he's put his December slump behind him with four goals and nine points over that stretch -- all four tallies (three power-play markers plus Tuesday's shortie) have come on special teams.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Playing Monday
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Ekblad (upper body) will be in the lineup Monday against the Rangers.
Ekblad logged just 1:50 of ice time in Saturday's contest versus Minnesota. Fortunately, he won't miss any additional game action. Ekblad has generated seven goals, 20 points, 97 shots on net, 49 blocks and 34 hits in 37 games this campaign. He is projected to be back alongside Gustav Forsling on Florida's top defense pair Monday against New York.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Could be available Monday
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Ekblad (upper body) has not been ruled out for Monday's game versus the Rangers, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.
Ekblad didn't finish Saturday's game versus the Wild, but head coach Paul Maurice's comments after the contest suggest the injury isn't severe. For now, Ekblad can be considered day-to-day.
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Panthers' Aaron Ekblad: Suffers upper-body injury
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Ekblad suffered an upper-body injury during Saturday's game against Minnesota and is doubtful to return to the contest.
Ekblad logged just 1:50 of ice time before exiting the game. He entered Saturday's action with seven goals and 20 points in 36 contests this season while averaging 24:00. If he can't play Monday against the Rangers, then Casey Fitzgerald might draw into the lineup for the first time since Dec. 19.
