Aaron Ekblad Returns to Florida Panthers for Game 2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad speaks to the media after morning skate in Toronto before Game 2 of their second-round playoff series against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Ekblad is coming off a two-game suspension for a high hit on Brandon Hagel of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Panthers lost 5-4 to the Maple Leafs in Game 1; Anthony Stolarz left the game with a suspected concussion not long after getting hit by Sam Bennett in the second period.

Bennett did not face any supplemental discipline from the NHL and will play in Game 2. Stolarz will not.

The Leafs hold a 1-0 series lead with Game 2 in Toronto on Wednesday at 7 (ESPN).

How Brad Marchand Joined the Florida Panthers: https://floridahockeynow.com/brad-marchand-joins-florida-panthers-how-it-happened-nhl-trade-bruins/

2024 Stanley Cup Champions Honored at the White House: https://floridahockeynow.com/stanley-cup-champion-florida-panthers-honored-at-white-house/

Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning Bringing Hockey Outdoors – In Florida: https://floridahockeynow.com/nhl-outdoor-hockey-miami-tampa-florida-panthers-lightning/

The Florida Panthers Get Their Rings. They’re Spectacular: https://floridahockeynow.com/florida-panthers-get-stanley-cup-championship-rings-theyre-spectacular/

The Florida Panthers Are Stanley Cup Champions: https://floridahockeynow.com/can-you-believe-it-florida-panthers-are-stanley-cup-champs/

Monday, the Leafs led 2-0, 3-1, and 4-1 before the Panthers mounted a comeback in the third on goals from Eetu Luostarinen, Uvis Balinskis, and Sam Bennett. Seth Jones scored to make it 2-1 in the first.

Former Florida goalie Anthony Stolarz was knocked out of the game with an apparent concussion not long after colliding with Bennett in the crease. Stolarz had previous had his mask knocked off by a Sam Reinhart slapshot.

For the most in-depth coverage of the Florida Panthers:
— Visit Florida Hockey Now — https://floridahockeynow.com

— Subscribe to Florida Hockey Now: https://floridahockeynow.com/membership-account/subscribe-to-fhn/

— Like Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flahockeynow/

— On Bluesky:

* https://bsky.app/profile/georgerichards.bsky.social

—Follow us on Twitter: 

* https://twitter.com/GeorgeRichards

* https://twitter.com/thegovman

Video Courtesy Florida Panthers / Panthers Vision