Ekblad cleared COVID-19 protocol and practiced Monday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad had been in protocol since Dec. 16 but should be Florida's top right defenseman when they next play, whether that's Wednesday or a later date. The 25-year-old has tallied eight goals and 16 assists in 28 games this season.

Ekblad was placed in COVID-19 protocols Thursday, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad will not be available for Thursday's tilt against the Kings. It's unclear how long the team expects him to be out, but if he's asymptomatic, he could return as soon as Saturday in Minnesota. The 25-year-old blueliner has 24 points and a plus-17 rating through 28 games this season.

Ekblad (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Thursday night's matchup with LA, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad wasn't able to participate in Thursday's morning skate due to an undisclosed issue, leaving his status versus the Kings up in the air. The 25-year-old blueliner's availability against LA likely won't be confirmed until the Panthers take the ice for pregame warmups, so fantasy managers should plan accordingly.

Ekblad recorded an assist, two shots on goal, two hits, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 3-1 win over the Coyotes.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad earned the secondary assist on Sam Bennett's first-period tally. The 25-year-old Ekblad has cemented himself as one of the best blueliners in the league with eight goals, 16 assists, 86 shots and a plus-21 rating through 26 contests this season. He's on pace to shatter his career high of 41 points in 67 games from the 2019-20 season.

Ekblad had two goals -- one on the power play -- and an assist in Thursday's 7-4 win over Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

He rounded out his stat line with six shots, two blocked shots and two PIM. Ekblad turned a 4-2 deficit into a 4-4 tie with a pair of goals that sandwiched the second intermission, and he added a helper on Anton Lundell's game-winner later in the third. He's as hot offensively as any blueliner in the league, with six points in his last two games and 13 in the last nine.

Ekblad collected three assists, two on the power play, in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

He had a hand in Florida's final two goals of the night, capping a huge comeback after the team found itself in a 4-1 hole after 40 minutes. Ekblad has three multi-point performances in the last five games, and on the season he has an outstanding six goals and 20 points through 22 contests as the first overall pick in the 2014 draft finally seems to be emerging as a superstar.

Ekblad scored the overtime winner and also had a power-play assist in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad capped the eventful evening with the winning goal, and he also picked up four shots, two blocked shots, four PIM and a hit, in addition to assisting on Sam Bennett's game-tying goal in the third. The surging blueliner has a five-game point streak rolling, during which Ekblad has racked up two goals and five assists.

Ekblad scored a goal on four shots and added two hits Thursday in a 5-4 overtime win over Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad one-timed a Washington clearing attempt off the boards and got it past netminder Ilya Samsonov to give the Panthers a 2-0 edge in the first period. It was Ekblad's fourth goal of the season and gave him 10 points on the year. He also owns a plus-9 rating.

Ekblad dished out a pair of assists and had one shot in a 3-2 shootout loss to Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad figured in on both Florida goals, drawing the secondary assist on tallies by Anthony Duclair and Aleksander Barkov. The 25-year-old Ekblad is off to a terrific start to the 2021-22 season, reaching the scoresheet in seven of nine games and tying for the NHL lead among defensemen with nine points (three goals, six assists). His plus-10 rating also tops all NHL defenders.

Ekblad scored a power-play goal on three shots Monday in a 5-3 win over Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad hammered a point shot through traffic to give the Panthers a 3-1 lead midway through the second period. It was the third goal of the season for Ekblad and gave him points in five of his first six games. He's also tied for second among NHL defensemen with a plus-8 rating.