Florida Panthers hold morning skate on March 26 at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad is nearing a return to the lineup. Ekblad was hurt back on March 9 when he collided with teammate Vladimir Tarasenko at center ice during Florida’s 5-1 over the Calgary Flames. The lower-body injury has kept Ekblad out of the lineup since. He began skating last week, spotted on the ice in a tracksuit ahead of Panthers practice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Florida Head Coach Paul Maurice said after the injury that it would be around a two-week timetable for Ekblad to return, and that after they hit the 14-day mark, which was Saturday, Ekblad would likely be considered day-to-day. Back at Holiday Park for Tuesday’s morning skate, Ekblad took things up a notch. Dressed in full gear, Ekblad joined his teammates for their morning skate ahead of Tuesday’s matchup against the Boston Bruins at Amerant Bank Arena. Ekblad won’t play, despite his desire to do so, but he’s very close to getting the green light. “I think he’s close, he’s definitely day-to-day,” said Maurice. “He wants in, but we’re going to be real careful. We’re going to hold him longer than he wants us to hold him.” Maurice has been adamant, with all injured players, that the team would not be rushing anyone back into games. The players being at their healthiest for the postseason is the priority. With 11 remaining until the playoffs arrive, that sure sounds like a smart approach for a team that plans to contend for a Stanley Cup. “He’s going to have to get through two or three practices with some bumping and grinding, which is a challenge right now because we’re not practicing again until April 8,” Maurice said. “We just want to be sure on this one.” If Ekblad is on the cusp of a return now, and the team isn’t having a full practice again for 14 days, it would make sense to think that Maurice would find a way to test Ekblad’s injury. Including Tuesday, Florida will play seven games between now and April 8. There will be four remaining afterward. The good news is that Ekblad is close to full strength, and if nothing else, the team should be able to get him some work to shake off any rust ahead of the playoffs. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers can clinch a playoff berth Tuesday night [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-can-clinch-a-playoff-berth-tuesday-night] Battle for first: Panthers, Bruins meet in Sunrise tied atop Atlantic Division [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/battle-for-first-panthers-bruins-meet-in-sunrise-tied-atop-atlantic-division] Panthers sign Minnesota-Duluth star Ben Steeves to two-year ELC [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-sign-minnesota-duluth-star-ben-steeves-to-two-year-elc] A look at the week ahead in the race for the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/a-look-at-the-week-ahead-in-the-race-for-the-number-1-seed-in-the-eastern-conference] Reinhart and Hyman both hit the 50 goal mark for the first time in their careers Sunday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/reinhart-and-hyman-both-hit-the-50-goal-mark-for-the-first-time-in-their-careers-on-sunday-] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
