April 2, 2024, 9:28 PM
Florida Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad left Tuesday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens and will not return, according to the team.
While it was not disclosed whether Ekblad had suffered an injury, it seemed the likely cause of his exit came when he and Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky skirmished at the end of the first period. The pair of skaters fell to the ice as they got tangled up, and Ekblad did not return to start the second period.
Ekblad, 28, has 18 points (four goals and 14 assists) in 50 games this season.
The Florida Panthers (47-23-5) have already clinched their spot in the post-season and sit second in the Atlantic Division with 99 points.