The Florida Panthers have been on a hot streak lately, with their strong puck control and impressive offensive plays leading them to victory after victory. However, the team recently faced a setback when defenseman Aaron Ekblad suffered a lower-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup for an extended period of time.

Despite this setback, head coach Paul Maurice has been quick to make light of the situation, joking that the Panthers’ strong puck control might actually improve with Ekblad out of the lineup. Maurice quipped, “Maybe now we’ll actually be able to hold onto the puck for more than a few seconds without Ekblad stealing it back from us.”

While Maurice’s comment was made in jest, there is no denying that Ekblad’s absence will be felt on the ice. The 25-year-old defenseman has been a key player for the Panthers this season, contributing both offensively and defensively with his strong skating ability and hockey IQ.

In Ekblad’s absence, the Panthers will need to rely on their depth and teamwork to continue their winning ways. Players like MacKenzie Weegar and Radko Gudas will need to step up and fill the void left by Ekblad’s absence, while the rest of the team will need to continue to play at a high level in order to maintain their position near the top of the standings.

Despite the setback, the Panthers remain a formidable team with a strong chance of making a deep playoff run this season. With their strong puck control and offensive firepower, they have proven that they can compete with the best teams in the league. And who knows, maybe Maurice’s joke will turn out to be true and the Panthers will find even more success without Ekblad in the lineup. Only time will tell.