Ekblad returns to Panthers lineup for Game 1 against Capitals

Defenseman missed final 20 regular-season games with lower-body injury

5.3 Ekblad FLA returns for Game 1

© Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

By NHL.com @NHLdotcom

Aaron Ekblad will play for the Florida Panthers against the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round at FLA Live Arena on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN360, TVAS2, BSFL, NBCSWA).

The defenseman practiced Monday and will play for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury against the Anaheim Ducks on March 18. He missed the final 20 games of the regular season.
Ekblad set personal NHL career highs in points (57) and assists (42) and led Florida defensemen with 15 goals and skaters by averaging 24:55 of ice time in 61 games this season.
"He's a special, special player," forward Aleksander Barkov told the Panthers website. "It was so nice to see him back. Now it feels normal."

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