Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad will return to lineup Thursday vs. Islanders

Ekblad has been out of the lineup since March 9. This season, the 28-year-old defenseman has four goals and 13 assists for 17 points, averaging a career-low 21:08 of ice time in 47 games.

Taken No. 1 overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Ekblad won the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year in 2014-15. Now in his 10th NHL season, Ekblad has 115 goals and 231 assists for 346 points in 672 career games.

A large part of the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup Finals last spring, Ekblad has two goals and six assists for eight points, averaging 23:57 of ice time in 20 games.

The Panthers are 46-21-5 with 97 points, second in the Atlantic Division and two points behind the Boston Bruins for first. Whomever finished second will likely face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs, which the Panthers did last spring, defeating them in five games in the second round.

Forward Sam Reinhart is having a career year, leading the team in goals (51) and points (84). Right behind him is Matthew Tkachuk, who has 23 goals and a team-leading 56 assists for 79 points.

After their game against the Islanders on Thursday, they host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, then fly to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs next Monday.