Ekblad (lower body) won't play Saturday versus the Lightning, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad, who is considered day-to-day, will be replaced in the lineup by Josh Mahura. The 28-year-old Ekblad has three goals, 14 points, 79 shots on net, 45 blocked shots and 60 hits across 37 appearances this season.

Ekblad recorded seven shots against Washington on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Despite Ekblad putting up a season-high seven shots, he remains stuck in a six-game pointless streak dating back to Jan. 19 versus Minnesota. At his current pace, the defenseman could record his second-lowest point total over the seven campaigns.

Ekblad earned a goal, three assists, and a plus-4 rating in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad was a man on a mission in this home clash, but the Wild manufactured five power-play goals, plus an empty-net tally, to counter the defenseman's fiery attack. This was only the second multi-point game from Ekblad this season, and all of his offensive magic happened during 5-on-5 play. Ekblad has been downgraded to the No. 2 power-play unit, resulting in him netting just three man-advantage points -- with all of them being assists -- so far in 2023-24. Of course, a shoulder injury that required surgery caused Ekblad to get off to a late start to the campaign, and a minor lower-body issue crept up in December as well, so the Panthers are doing their part to manage the star blueliner's workload.

Ekblad notched a power-play assist, four shots on goal and four PIM in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Golden Knights.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad has started to find his way on offense with a goal, three assists and 10 shots on net over the last five games. The defenseman missed the start of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery. He's up to eight points, 44 shots, 26 blocked shots, 25 hits, 26 PIM and a plus-6 rating through 21 appearances. Ekblad continues to play on the top pairing and second power-play unit.

Ekblad (lower body) will return to the lineup Monday against Calgary, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad is slated to be back on the top pairing and second power-play unit Monday after sitting out Saturday's 5-1 win over Edmonton. He has picked up four assists, 28 shots on goal, 21 blocked shots and 14 hits across 13 outings this campaign. Ekblad's return is expected to make Josh Mahura a healthy scratch.

Ekblad (lower body) is out for Saturday's game against Edmonton, Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Ekblad's injury was deemed minor after he left Thursday's game in Vancouver, it'll keep him sidelined Saturday against the Oilers. The 27-year-old blueliner has four assists and a plus-6 rating through 13 games this season. Josh Mahura will slot back into the lineup in Ekblad's absence.

Ekblad exited Thursday's game versus the Canucks due to a lower-body injury, Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad's injury could be "less than day-to-day," per head coach Paul Maurice, but the team took him out of Thursday's game since they dressed seven defensemen. This sounds like a cautionary move, so Ekblad should be considered questionable to play Saturday in Edmonton.

Ekblad picked up an assist while adding three shots on net, two blocked shots, two hits, two PIM and a plus-1 rating in Tuesday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

The point was his first in six games since making his belated season debut following summer shoulder surgery. Ekblad is coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued campaign in which he managed only 38 points in 71 games, but even if he's able to stay healthy for the rest of this season, he could have trouble returning to the near point-per-game pace he produced in 2021-22 without regaining his spot on the top power-play unit from Brandon Montour.

Ekblad (shoulder) has been taken off injured reserve ahead of Friday's matchup with Anaheim, per the NHL media site.

EDGE Analysis

Ekblad looks set to make his season debut against the Ducks. Last season, the Ontario native managed 14 goals and 24 helpers, a significant drop in production from 2021-22 when he racked up 57 points. With the blueliner's return, he should see minutes with the man advantage after recording 19 of his 38 points last year on the power play.

Ekblad (shoulder) may be available to play before the end of Florida's three-game road trip, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Paul Maurice said Tuesday that Friday's contest versus Anaheim could be a potential return date for Ekblad and Brandon Montour (shoulder). Ekblad hasn't played yet in 2023-24 following offseason shoulder surgery. He racked up 14 goals, 38 points, 216 shots on net, 80 blocked shots and 77 hits in 71 games last season.