The Florida Panthers might've walked out of Scotiabank Arena on Monday night with a 5-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they're getting Aaron Ekblad, one of their top defensemen, back for Game 2.
The 29-year-old has dealt with numerous roadblocks this season, including a 20-game suspension, without pay, by the NHL on March 10 for violating the NHL/NHLPA's Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
Ekblad returned for Game 3 of Florida's series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, playing 20:20 in his first game since March 8. One game later, though, the defenseman elbowed Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in the head, injuring him.
Ekblad was suspended for two games following the hit, including Florida's elimination win over Tampa Bay, and will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Maple Leafs.
"He's a real good player, obviously," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said. "I think he sees all areas of the game. It's a big get for them to get him back in the lineup."
Joseph Woll Named Maple Leafs’ Game 2 Starter As Anthony Stolarz’s Return Vs. Panthers Remains Uncertain
Anthony Stolarz is still recovering from <a href="https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919563503930679547">his collision with Sam Bennett</a> in Game 1 against the Florida Panthers and will not dress for Game 2 for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ekblad averaged the second-most ice time among Florida defensemen in the regular season (23:31), only behind Seth Jones, who was traded to the Panthers by Chicago on March 3.
"The quality of his play this year was really high. We thought he was very good. Just the path over the last three years of him growing in the role, so his game was really good," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said.
"If there's the positive, and we'll take it, he's in really good shape right now. That man is as fit as he's ever been in his life, and now we get him back. We'd like to keep him for more than a couple games."
‘Are They Bringing Their Skates?’: Panthers’ Maurice Pokes Fun At Anticipated Hostility From Maple Leafs Fans Toward Sam Bennett
There have been plenty of storylines to open the second-round playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, despite there only being one game played. At the center is Panthers forward Sam Bennett — once again.
Scott Laughton has played against Ekblad ever since his OHL days, and said that while Florida's getting a "good add," it won't change how the Maple Leafs are approaching Game 2.
"Bigger body, right-shot defenseman who can shoot the puck. He's got good feet and makes good plays. He's a good defenseman," the forward said.
Ekblad lined up alongside Gustav Forsling during Florida's morning skate on Wednesday ahead of Game 2. In 24:40 at five-on-five against the Lightning in the first round, the Forsling-Ekblad pairing had a 55.48 expected goals-for percentage.
The duo also had more high-danger chances than they gave up during the first round.
Why Matt Murray Was Chosen Over Dennis Hildeby For Maple Leafs Backup Role Against Panthers
With Anthony Stolarz unavailable to the Toronto Maple Leafs due to injury, Joseph Woll was the obvious choice to get the nod for Game 2. But there was some mystery behind who would back up Woll in their series with the Florida Panthers with Stolarz out.
With the two players reuniting on Wednesday for Florida, they'll get a lot of matchups against Toronto's top-six forwards. It won't be easy, but Maurice is delighted to get one of his top defensemen back in the lineup.
"We'll take it now that we've survived it, I would say, without him. Because we missed him, and he's a big part of what we do," Florida's coach said.
"It was also that, you're looking toward the end of the year to build that group as a feel, so we get Seth (Jones) in and Aaron's still on our team, and we had a block of four games, three shutouts and a 2-1 win against Tampa at home, everybody's pretty excited with the way we look, and then we can't find him.
"He gets the ankle bracelet put on him and we don't get him back, so we're just kind of getting to learn what we look like with everybody in."
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