Ekblad scored a goal Saturday in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Blues.

EDGE Analysis

He scored just over a minute into the game on a turnaround wrist shot after he picked up a loose puck in the slot. Ekblad is on a three-game, five-point scoring streak that includes a goal in each of those games. And he has seven points in seven games since his return from injury.

Ekblad scored an empty-net goal and added two power-play assists in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Both helpers came in the second period before Ekblad chipped the puck from his own blue line with just under three minutes left in the third and watched it curl into the empty cage. The 26-year-old has looked none the worse for wear since returning from a lower-body injury, collecting two goals and six points in six games.

Ekblad scored a goal in Florida's 5-3 loss to Columbus on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad has only been held off the scoresheet once in his last four contests. He has two goals and four points in eight games in 2022-23. He missed 11 straight contests from Oct. 17-Nov. 9 because of a lower-body injury, but now that he's healthy, he's resumed his role as a core part of the Panthers' blueline and top power-play unit. He does have a significant injury history, but when he's playing, he's one of the league's top offensive defensemen.

Ekblad (lower body) will return to the lineup Saturday against Edmonton, Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Ekblad is ready to return to the fold after being sidelined since Oct. 17. He had one goal, seven shots on net, four hits and one block in three appearances prior to getting hurt. Ekblad should return to his regular spots on Florida's top defense pairing and quarterback of the first power-play unit.

Ekblad (lower body) has been activated from injured reserve, according to Panthers reporter Katie Engelson.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad was injured Oct. 17 and is expected to return to action Saturday when the Panthers face the Oilers. He'll regain his spot on the first pairing as well as his spot on the top power-play unit. Ekblad had a goal in three games before his injury during the opening week of the season.

Ekblad (lower body) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against Edmonton, according to coach Paul Maurice.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad took part in Tuesday's practice. He won't play Wednesday versus the Hurricanes because he isn't eligible to be activated from long-term injured reserve yet. However, that transaction should come Saturday ahead of his expected return. Ekblad has been out since Oct. 17 with a lower-body issue.

Ekblad (lower body) has resumed skating, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad has been 'looking good and looking strong according to head coach Paul Maurice and is targeting a Nov. 12 return to action against the Oilers, the first game that Ekblad would be eligible to return. He had a goal in three games before his injury against the Bruins on Oct. 17.

Ekblad (lower body) was placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

This is obviously a huge blow for the Panthers and fantasy managers alike, as Ekblad won't be eligible to rejoin the lineup until Nov. 12 against the Oilers, which means he'll miss Florida's next 11 games at a minimum. The 26-year-old defender's lower-body injury isn't expected to be season ending, but at this point there's no guarantee he'll be ready to return once eligible in mid-November. Marc Staal could be tasked with taking on a larger role during Ekblad's lengthy absence.

Ekblad (lower body) will be further evaluated Tuesday after leaving Monday's game against Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad registered a minus-1 rating and four PIM in 15:49 of ice time. The Panthers were already playing with five defensemen Monday due to Brandon Montour's upper-body issue, so any serious injury to Ekblad would be an even bigger blow than usual. Florida's next game is Wednesday against the Flyers.

Ekblad scored a power-play goal in a 4-3 win against Buffalo on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead at the 2:31 mark of the second period. He led the team with five shots on goal in the contest. Ekblad earned his first point of the season after he was held off the scoresheet in Florida's season opener.