Ekblad notched an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 4-3 overtime win over the Capitals in Game 6.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad took a hard hit early in the game and appeared to labor through much of the rest of the contest. The grit paid off when he set up Claude Giroux's third-period tally. Through six playoff contests, Ekblad has a goal, four assists, 10 shots on net, eight hits and a plus-2 rating while playing a key role as the Panthers' top blueliner.

Ekblad recorded two assists in Monday's 3-2 win over Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad assisted on both of Carter Verhaeghe's goals including the overtime winner. The 26-year-old defenseman has a goal and three assists through the first four games of the series after missing the final 20 games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. Ekblad will look to keep producing as the series goes back to Florida tied 2-2.

Ekblad scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-1 win over Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad opened the scoring Thursday, firing a shot from the point that took a lucky bounce off a defender's skate and snuck past Vitek Vanecek. The goal was Ekblad's first since March 8 as he missed Florida's final 20 regular-season games with a lower-body injury. The 26-year-old defenseman still recorded a career-best 57 points with 15 goals and 42 assists in 61 games while posting 62 hits and 69 blocked shots.

Ekblad (lower body) will be activated off injured reserve ahead of Tuesday's clash with Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad will be back in the lineup for the first time since March 18 versus the Ducks, a stretch of 20 games on injured reserve due to his lower-body injury. The blueliner is expected to reclaim his spot on the No. 1 power-play unit and will look to pick up where he left off after registering eight points in his last six outings.

Ekblad (lower body) returned to practice Sunday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad's presence at Sunday's practice puts him on track to return to action for Game 1 versus Washington on Tuesday. The 26-year-old blueliner racked up 15 goals and 57 points through 61 contests during the regular season.

Ekblad (lower body) continues to skate and may be available during the Panthers' first-round matchup, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad has been out of the lineup since March 18 against the Ducks, a stretch of 18 games on the sidelines due to his lower-body issue. Whenever the blueliner gets back into the lineup, he should reclaim a power-play role and figures to be capable of offering top-half fantasy value as a result.

Ekblad (lower body) was on the ice for practice Tuesday, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Andrew Brunette indicated that the Panthers are working on integrating Ekblad into practice sessions on a day-to-day basis. This won't change the defenseman's timeline to return -- he's still expected to miss the rest of the regular season, but he might not have to miss too much time in the first round of the playoffs if he can ramp up without a setback.

Ekblad (lower body) was placed on long-term injured reserve Sunday and will not play again during the regular season, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports. He should be able to return for the first round of the playoffs.

EDGE Analysis

This is a massive loss, as Ekblad sits fifth among league defensemen with 57 points and sits fourth among all skaters with a whopping plus-38 rating this season. The Panthers still lead the Eastern Conference with 90 points and should easily qualify for the playoffs, but losing their star blueliner will no doubt take a toll. In another move Sunday, the team acquired Robert Hagg from Buffalo to fill Ekblad's vacancy on the back end.

Ekblad's lower-body injury appears to not be as serious as initially feared, but he'll undergo further testing Saturday, per head coach Andrew Brunette.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad left the first period of Friday's game versus the Ducks with an apparent leg injury. It was his right leg this time -- he fractured his left leg late last season, but it's always scary to see a player struggle to get off the ice. Once the Panthers have completed further testing, they may have another update on Ekblad's status. It's unclear if he'll be available to play Thursday versus the Canadiens.

Ekblad (lower body) will not return to Friday's game against the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad was involved in an ugly collision near the boards and wasn't able to put any weight on his right leg on his way off the ice. He was immediately helped back to the locker room. The 26-year-old blueliner fractured his leg last season and, unfortunately, it looks like he could miss serious time with another leg injury. Ekblad has racked up 15 goals and 57 points with a plus-38 rating through 61 games this season.