{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/zTZMNhDv.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Florida Panthers hold morning skate on March 26 at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale.", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/zTZMNhDv-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/zTZMNhDv.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/zTZMNhDv.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zTZMNhDv-6LgJnXEq.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 468534, "filesize": 8843581, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zTZMNhDv-1QJ1dkot.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 660597, "filesize": 12468773, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zTZMNhDv-h6aVm5rK.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 2034101, "filesize": 38393663, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zTZMNhDv-UQSYMDp9.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113631, "filesize": 2144793 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zTZMNhDv-vnHaI3dA.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 1080, "width": 1920, "label": "1080p", "bitrate": 4225541, "filesize": 79757093, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zTZMNhDv-yFReK32n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 807591, "filesize": 15243295, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zTZMNhDv-0LealTTd.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 1347205, "filesize": 25428508, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Florida Panthers are going to be back at full strength when they host the New York Islanders on Thursday night. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That’s right, Florida top pairing defenseman Aaron Ekblad will return to the lineup, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice confirmed after the team’s morning skate in Fort Lauderdale." } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg" }, "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Over the past month, Florida has played without several key players due to a plethora of reasons, from injuries to illness to suspension. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "In addition to Ekblad, Sasha Barkov, Dmitry Kulikov, Evan Rodrigues, Gus Forsling and Jonah Gadjovich have all missed time. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Ekblad last played on March 9. He collided with teammate Vladimir Tarasenko and went down with a lower-body injury. " } }, { "id": "qcgcnnkq-65wf5dbu", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/HockeyDaily365/status/1766581068424003779", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1766581068424003779", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Last week Ekblad was spotted on the ice before a Panthers practice skating in a tracksuit, which was the first sign he was nearing a return to the lineup. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Maurice had said initially that Ekblad’s injury would keep him out for a minimum of two weeks, after which he’d be considered day-to-day." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "This past Saturday was the two-week mark, and after Ekblad joined his teammates in full gear for their morning skate on Tuesday, it seemed like it was only a matter of time until his return. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "On Thursday, Ekblad joined Forsling, his usual defensive partner, on Florida’s top pairing. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Panthers have 10 games remaining until the playoffs arrive. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Entering play Thursday, Florida is two points behind the Boston Bruins for first place in the Atlantic Division with two games in hand. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The puck drops against the Islanders at 7 p.m. from Amerant Bank Arena. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Panthers Prospect Knight records second straight shutout for Charlotte" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Panthers face Islanders looking to continue trending in right direction" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Aleksander Barkov grateful for chance to get healthy ahead of postseason" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Three takeaways: Panthers angry about loss to Boston, can still gain from it" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "TSN'S Jeff O'Neill picks Paul Maurice as his Jack Adams winner" } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg" }, "caption": "" } } ] }

Aaron Ekblad returns to Florida Panthers lineup after 7-game absence