Panthers defenseman Ekblad injured as he reaches milestone

The Panthers scored five goals in the first period on their way to a 6-3 win against Ottawa Tuesday night, but you won't find Aaron Ekblad's name anywhere in the scoring stats. Not even an assist.

What you will find is a gritty grinder and perennial Panther who injured his right hand when he prevented Ottawa from scoring on a power play in the closing minutes to stave off the Senators and diminish their playoff hopes.

With the Panthers defending a 5-minute major penalty with just under 5 minutes to play in the third period, Ekblad, playing in his franchise record-tying 804th game, blocked a shot with his right hand and immediately clutched it in pain.

With Ottawa threatening to score on the man-advantage, Ekblad, bellowed over and caressing his hand, stayed on the ice. Seconds later, he dove across the crease to block another shot with his body. After his heroic stop, he exited the game.

After the game, Panthers coach Paul Maurice said, "I don't think it looks good," in regards to Ekblad.

In addition to Ekblad's hand, which may be broken, the Panthers lost fellow defenseman Dmitry Kulikov earlier in the game after a puck struck him in the face.

"I've got a lineup at the X-Ray machine," said Maurice, whose battered team has lost 449 games to injury.

Ekblad, whose season may be over, may have to wait to pass Aleksander Barkov, the team's captain who's missed the entire season with a knee injury, for the franchise's most games played. Barkov also has 804 games under his belt as a Panther.

Ekblad may have inadvertently played fortune teller last week when he said: "I don't want to (pass Barkov's career games played record). I hope that's not bad luck for me, but I'll follow Barkov anywhere. I hope to continue to follow him through his career."

The bad luck of the Panthers, without nine players due to injury Tuesday, landed on Ekblad in his record-tying game last night, and will extend to Thursday's home game against the Boston Bruins.

By joining Barkov on the injured list, the duo extends their kinship. Florida drafted Ekblad with the No. 1 overall pick in 2014, one year after Barkov was drafted second overall in 2013. Together, they've shaped the legacy of a franchise that's won two straight Stanley Cups, and reached the last three Stanley Cups Finals.

Maurice often says Ekblad does not get the recognition he deserves for the Panthers' success.

"I know he is greatly under-appreciated, but not in the room, not by the coaches, and not by the players," Maurice said.

Ekblad, who signed an 8-year extension this past year making him a Panther his entire career, holds just about every scoring record for a Florida defenseman. He is at the top in goals (122), assists (284), and points (406).

"A wonderful ride," Ekblad said. "When you say two Cups, it's a pinch-yourself moment. Happy I get to play with such amazing players and good people."