Panthers' Ekblad out at least 2 weeks with lower-body injury

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss at least two weeks with a lower-body injury, head coach Paul Maurice announced Monday, according to team beat reporter Jameson Olive.

The bench boss added that Ekblad will be considered day-to-day after that, with the team targeting a return date in late March or early April.

"We're going to wait until he's 100%," Maurice said.

Ekblad got hurt in the first period of the Panthers' 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday. He collided with new teammate Vladimir Tarasenko at center ice and was later ruled out of the remainder of the contest.

Aaron Ekblad went to the locker room after colliding with Vladimir Tarasenko #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/x5yjn8tVs9

- Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 9, 2024

The blue-liner has chipped in with four goals and 17 points in 47 outings this season while averaging just over 21 minutes of ice time per contest.

Ekblad missed the Panthers' first 16 games of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in June. He racked up two tallies and six helpers in 20 playoff games during Florida's unlikely run to the Stanley Cup Final this past spring.

On top of a dislocated shoulder, Ekblad revealed he also had a broken foot and a torn oblique in the postseason.

The Panthers are currently first place in the league with a 44-17-4 record and .708 points percentage. They'll take on the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

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