Per HC Paul Maurice, Aaron Ekblad will most likely be out until game 1 of the playoffs. Maurice said he is quite confident Ekblad will be 100% and ready for game 1.
The injury occurred after a skirmish with Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky towards the end of the first period. Ekblad and Slafkovsky fell to the ice tangled up, and Ekblad did not return to play in the second period.
Ekblad, 28, has accumulated 18 points (four goals and 14 assists) in 50 games this season. Despite his absence, the Florida Panthers have secured their playoff berth and currently hold the second position in the Atlantic Division with 99 points.
