Ekblad notched a shorthanded assist, eight hits, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 6-1 win over the Lightning in Game 5.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad set up the first of Aleksander Barkov's two goals in the game. Through five playoff contests, Ekblad has two helpers, six shots on net, 25 hits, nine blocked shots and a plus-4 rating. The 28-year-old continues to handle a heavy workload on the Panthers' top pairing, though he sees minimal power-play time.

Ekblad (undisclosed) will be ready to play in Game 1 versus Tampa Bay on Sunday, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site,

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad sat out Tuesday's season finale versus Toronto. He struggled this season after returning from offseason shoulder surgery, scoring only four times and adding 14 helpers in 51 appearances.

Ekblad (undisclosed) won't play in Tuesday's regular-season finale against Toronto, but he'll be ready to rock for Game 1 of Florida's upcoming first-round playoff series, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad will return to his usual top-four role once postseason play gets underway. He's picked up just 18 points through 51 games in what's been a disappointing season from an offensive standpoint for the 28-year-old defender.

Ekblad (undisclosed) is likely to miss the rest of the regular season, David Dwork of The Hockey News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even though Ekblad is slated to sit out the final five games of the 2023-24 campaign, he is projected to be available for Florida's playoff opener. Ekblad is poised to finish the season with four goals, 18 points, 98 shots on net, 59 blocked shots and 85 hits in 51 appearances.

Ekblad (undisclosed) will miss Thursday's game against the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

The specific nature and severity of Ekblad's injury is currently unknown, but even if he's sidelined for an extended stretch, coach Paul Maurice fully expects the veteran defender to be ready for the first game of Florida's first-round playoff series. It's been somewhat of a dissapointing season for Ekblad from an offensive standpoint, as he's only picked up 18 points through 51 games, but he's recorded an admirable plus-27 rating over that stretch as a key fixture on the Panthers' blue line.

Ekblad (undisclosed) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Canadiens, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad saw just 7:16 of ice time in this contest. He recently returned from a lower-body injury that cost him seven contests, but the Panthers didn't elaborate on why he exited Tuesday's game. If he can't play Thursday versus the Senators, Josh Mahura or Tobias Bjornfot would draw into the lineup.

Ekblad (lower body) failed to record a point in 22:13 of ice time during Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Returning from a seven-game absence caused by a collision with Vladimir Tarasenko, Ekblad saw his usual workload and was leaned on heavily on the penalty kill, seeing 7:47 of ice time with Florida down a man. It's been a tough season overall for the 28-year-old blueliner, who has only four goals and 17 points in 48 games, but with the Panthers having already clinched a playoff spot, Ekblad will try to use the final weeks of the regular season to regain his top form.

Ekblad (lower body) will be back in the lineup versus the Islanders on Thursday, according to George Richards of Florida Hockey Now.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad sat out seven games with the injury. Ekblad missed the first 16 games of the season, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and has struggled offensively. The 28-year-old blueliner has only four goals and 17 points in 47 games. If he is unable to pick up the pace, he will miss hitting double digits in goals for only the second time in 10 years. Ekblad will line up alongside Gustav Forsling on the blue line and should see some second-unit power-play time.

Ekblad (lower body) is "close" to returning, but coach Paul Maurice wants the defender to log at least two "heavy practices" before rejoining the lineup, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad will miss a seventh straight contest Tuesday against Boston, but it sounds like he could be ready to return sooner rather than later. The 28-year-old vet has had a down year from an offensive standpoint, picking up just 17 points through 47 contests.

Ekblad (lower body) will be unavailable for at least two weeks and he'll be considered day-to-day afterward, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad was injured in a collision with teammate Vladimir Tarasenko in Saturday's 5-1 win over Calgary. The 28-year-old Ekblad has four goals, 17 points, 94 shots on net, 55 blocked shots and 78 hits in 47 games this season. Josh Mahura is expected to draw into the lineup during Ekblad's absence, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson will slot in alongside Gustav Forsling.