A key defenseman for the Florida Panthers is set to rejoin the lineup for Game 2 of the series.
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad is slated to return to the lineup for the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, on Wednesday for their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, having completed a two-game suspension.
“I`m really excited,” Ekblad commented. “Obviously after Game 1, I`m hoping to provide some energy.”
Ekblad will take the place of Uvis Balinskis on the defensive pairing. Balinskis notably scored Florida`s third goal in the previous game.
The former first overall draft selection previously received a two-game ban for elbowing Brandon Hagel of Tampa Bay during the first round. This came after he had already missed the initial two contests of that series while concluding a 20-game suspension related to performance-enhancing substances.
Across 56 regular-season appearances, the 29-year-old defenseman posted three goals and 30 assists, averaging 23 minutes and 30 seconds of ice time per game.
During the morning skate, it appeared Ekblad would rejoin the top defensive pairing alongside Gustav Forsling.
Balinskis, a 28-year-old from Latvia, registered four goals and 14 assists over 74 regular-season games. His goal in Game 1 is currently his only point recorded in four playoff appearances.
On the forward lines, it looks like Mackie Samoskevich will step in for A.J. Greer on the fourth line, playing alongside Jesper Boqvist and Nico Sturm.
Samoskevich, a rookie, finished the regular season with 15 goals and 16 assists in 72 games. He has recorded one assist through three playoff matchups.
Greer, who contributed six goals and 11 assists across 81 regular-season games, has not yet registered a point in his three playoff appearances this year.
