Panthers' Ekblad stretchered off vs. Stars with apparent leg injury

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was stretchered off midway through the second period of Sunday's game against the Dallas Stars with an apparent leg injury.

Ekblad went into the boards and his left leg came down awkwardly after Stars blue-liner Esa Lindell hit him.

The arena's medical staff applied an aircast to Ekblad's leg before removing him from the ice.

Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville didn't provide a definitive timeline when asked about his talented rearguard following the team's 4-1 victory, but he wasn't optimistic.

"We think he's going to be out for an extensive time," the bench boss said, according to WPLG's David Dwork. Quenneville added that Ekblad will accompany the club on the flight home Sunday night, and the Panthers expect to know more about the injury Monday.

Florida forward Jonathan Huberdeau said postgame that the team was playing for Ekblad.

"He’s a great guy, a great teammate," Huberdeau said. "... We had to come out in the third period and play well. We got the win for him tonight."

The Panthers defenseman was enjoying a career season, collecting 11 goals and 11 assists over 35 games, including a helper Sunday. He was tied for the NHL lead in goals among defensemen entering Sunday's action.