Ekblad scored in his third straight game during a 4-2 loss to the Rangers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

After going goalless in 14 games to start the season, Ekblad has found the back of the net once in his last three games, all on the power play. The 22-year-old fired five shots at the net and added three hits as the Panthers dropped their second straight.

Ekblad got his first of the season during Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

The goal was a flukey one that went off of Flyers' goalie Brian Elliott twice before ending up in the back of the net, but it is about time Ekblad's puck luck turned around. So far this season he has 35 shots, good for seventh on the team for shots. That puts his shooting percentage at 2.9%, well below last season's 8.5%. Expect this goal to open somewhat of a dam when it comes to scoring points as the Panthers continue to cruise after early-season struggles.

Ekblad failed to register a point during Sunday's 5-1 win over the Senators despite two shots and 21:48 of time on ice.

EDGE Analysis

The former first overall pick has only two points in 14 games this season as fellow defenseman Keith Yandle has picked up the offensive slack on the back end. Ekblad isn't playing bad overall but can't seem to pick up any points. However, if he keeps firing pucks on net like he has been (32 shots on the season), his puck luck should turn around soon.

Ekblad got five of his shots on net during Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

With only two assists in 10 games to start the season, Ekblad has been on a disappointing run. The Panthers have started the season off with a whimper, and need players like Ekblad to step up offensively if they are going to get back on track.

Ekblad uncorked a power-play assist Wednesday, contributing a 3-2 overtime road win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad's "pass" was actually intended as a shot that Nick Bjugstad got ahold of when he spun around the crease and feed Frank Vatrano to open the scoring for the Panthers early in the third period. Ekblad was held without a point in his first six games of the season, but the 2014 first overall pick now has helpers in each of his last two contests.

Ekblad failed to record his first point of the season but did record six shots during Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Six games into the season and the 22-year-old has yet to add his name on the scoresheet. It was not for lack of trying as Ekblad sent six shots on net, almost matching his total through the first five games of the season. The Panthers have struggled to open the season, and are going to need their number one defenseman to get the scoring going if they want to get back on track,

Ekblad once again came out of a game without a point as the Panthers dropped their fourth in a row on Tuesday, 5-4 to the Flyers in a shootout.

EDGE Analysis

The Panthers have scored eleven goals through their last three games but Ekblad has yet to factor into any of them. It certainly doesn't help that the team as a whole has gone 1/15 on the power play to start the season. So far he only has seven shots on net good for 1.75 shots per game, which is well below his career average of 2.47. If Ekblad wants to get past his career-high 16 goals, achieved last season, he will need to start firing more pucks on the net.

Ekblad (lower body) is expected to be active for Saturday's road opener versus the Lightning, Steve Goldstein of Fox Sports Florida reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is huge for the countless owners depending on Ekblad as a highly ranked fantasy defenseman. The Ontario native has 134 points (53 goals, 81 assists) over 309 career contests with the Panthers, plus he's cemented on the Florida power play. Don't waste another second plugging him into your lineups.

Ekblad sustained a lower-body injury and is day-to-day, though Panthers coach Bob Boughner said the defenseman will be good to go for the season opener versus the Lightning in Tampa next Saturday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

We wouldn't push Ekblad down your draft sheets due to this seemingly minor development. The Panthers will hold the star defenseman out of Saturday's preseason finale against the Bolts to afford him some extra rest ahead of the regular-season grind. Ekblad is a terrific puck-pushing blueliner who recorded 16 goal and 22 assists over a full season in 2017-18.

Ekblad was yanked from Wednesday's game against the Canadiens to undergo concussion testing, but he passes tests and did not suffer a broken nose, Arpon Basu of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad took a punch from Max Domi that may have been unwarranted and the league will likely review the incident for a potential suspension. It appears the blueliner escaped without any significant issues, so he should be good to go Saturday against the Stars.