Aaron Ekblad (© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f6c01cdf-1c6e-4f98-aee9-2d69fa50f941.jpeg] Aaron Ekblad (© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) The Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers] will face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2 on May 7. The Panthers [https://news.google.com/search?q=the%20hockey%20news%20panthers&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen] 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 [https://x.com/markhmasters/status/1920209056733499474], 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. Recent Panthers News Rookie Mackie Samoskevich slots back into Panthers lineup for Game 2 in Toronto [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/259a895f-babf-4182-9db3-390a0ec43254.jpeg] Rookie Mackie Samoskevich slots back into Panthers lineup for Game 2 in Toronto The Florida Panthers will have a slightly different look when they resume their second round playoff series on Wednesday night. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/rookie-mackie-samoskevich-slots-back-into-panthers-lineup-for-game-2-in-toronto] Panthers Star Needs Big Bounce-Back Game Against Maple Leafs [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/35c3abd5-c466-4fa5-b874-ba6fd4877a32.jpeg] Panthers Star Needs Big Bounce-Back Game Against Maple Leafs The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers">Florida Panthers</a> will be back on the ice for Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 7. After a 5-4 loss to the Maple Leafs to kick off the series, the Panthers will look to pick up a victory in Game 2 to avoid going down 2-0. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-star-needs-big-bounce-back-game-against-maple-leafs] Panthers enter Game 2 in Toronto aiming for split after dropping series opener [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2833e21a-4bb8-45a7-84bb-88fe076339f9.jpeg] Panthers enter Game 2 in Toronto aiming for split after dropping series opener The Florida Panthers will be looking to get off to a better start in Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-enter-game-2-in-toronto-aiming-for-split-after-dropping-series-opener] Three takeaways: Panthers struggle recovering from poor start, penalty kill remains major strength [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8de9ef43-654a-4f29-be0d-1e35a58deb8f.jpeg] Three takeaways: Panthers struggle recovering from poor start, penalty kill remains major strength A long layoff between the first and second round was apparently not the best thing for the Florida Panthers. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-panthers-struggle-recovering-from-poor-start-penalty-kill-remains-major-strength]
