The Presidents’ Cup-winning Florida Panthers are about to get a lot better. Aaron Ekblad, their top defenceman who has been out for six weeks, will play in Game 1 on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals.
Ekblad was a full participant at practice on Sunday and Panthers head coach Andrew Burnette said at the time he was hopeful he could play at some point in the first round.
Ekblad has been out of the lineup since March 18 after leaving a game against the Anaheim Ducks with a lower-body injury.