LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 17: Aaron Ekblad #5 of the Florida Panthers reacts after his shot from the point was deflected into the goal by teammate Sam Reinhart #13 for a third-period power-play goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Panthers 5-3.

Ekblad returns for Game 1 vs. Capitals

4 years ago

Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad returned to the lineup for Game 1 against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.

He played just over 24 minutes of Florida's 4-2 upset loss and threw two hits.

Ekblad hadn't played since suffering a leg injury on March 18. He was hurt in an awkward collision and had to be helped off the ice. Although it appeared to be a devastating injury, Ekblad didn't sustain any structural damage.

Head coach Andrew Brunette said that Ekblad would immediately reclaim his spot on the team's top power play, according to team reporter Jameson Olive.

These were the Panthers' pairings at morning skate:

Panthers at their morning skate prior to Game 1 vs. Capitals:

Continues to look like Ekblad will return.

Verhaeghe-Barkov-Duclair
Huberdeau-Bennett-Giroux
Marchment-Lundell-Reinhart
Lomberg-Luostarinen-Hornqvist

Weegar-Ekblad
Forsling-Gudas
Chiarot-Montour

Bobrovsky
Knight
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 3, 2022

The 26-year-old was among the league's best defensemen at the time of the injury. He tallied a career-high 57 points despite only playing 61 games while averaging 24:55 minutes of ice time per game.