Aaron Ekblad (© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)The Florida Panthers will face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2 on May 7. The Panthers are getting a significant boost for this matchup, as defenseman Aaron Ekblad is returning to the lineup after serving his two-game suspension for elbowing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in Game 4 of the first round.
While speaking to reporters, including TSN's Mark Masters, Ekblad opened up about his hit on Hagel, noting that he was aiming for the Lightning winger's chest on the play.
"Going down the wall there, I'm trying to make a hit every single time I do that. I do that all season," Ekblad said. "I was aiming for [Hagel's] chest, and I caught him on the chin, and that's unfortunate, but it's not my intention. I'm never out to hurt anybody on the ice. It's unfortunate. The outcome happened, but it is what it is, and we all move on."
Ekblad then said he understood Hagel's response to his hit.
"Reasonable response," Ekblad said. "That's how he feels, and we can move on."
Now that Ekblad has served his suspension, he will look to help the Panthers pick up a much-needed victory in Game 2 against the Maple Leafs. He is the Panthers' No. 1 defenseman, so there is no question that they will be ecstatic to have him back in the lineup.
Ekblad, 29, appeared in 56 regular-season games this campaign for the Panthers, where he had three goals, 33 points, 90 hits, and a plus-11 rating. In two post-season games for the Cats so far this year, he has a goal.
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