SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 28: Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) gets talked to by an official after delivering a bit hit in the second period during the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers on Monday, April 28, 2025 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL
(Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Aaron Ekblad suspended two games for elbowing
  • Panthers defenseman will miss at least Wednesday’s Game 5
  • Read below for the full story

The suspensions keep coming, and they don’t stop coming in the Battle of Florida.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for two games for elbowing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel.

“While we have heard Ekblad’s contention that he does not intend to strike Hagel in the head, this is not a case where a blow to an opponent’s torso or shoulder rides up and made subsequent or glancing contact with his head,” the NHL Department of Player Safety’s video explains. “This is a direct blow to an opponent’s head with an extended elbow delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline.”

Ekblad was not initially penalized for the play despite Lightning head coach Jon Cooper’s pleas. Tampa Bay was able to temporarily turn the game around with two goals in 11 seconds shortly thereafter, but then allowed two goals in 11 seconds — including a game-tying goal by Ekblad himself — in the third period for the Panthers to win Game 4.

Ekblad’s two-game suspension is an intriguing one because it’s very possible that it carries over into the second round. If the Panthers win Game 5, Ekblad will be suspended for Game 1 of the next series. If the Lightning win Game 5, Ekblad will serve his second game in Game 6.

The Panthers defenseman already missed the first two games of this series as he was finishing out his 20-game suspension for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

The Battle of Florida is as physical as ever this time around. Hagel was suspended one game for his late hit on Aleksander Barkov, and then Matthew Tkachuk was ejected late in Game 3.

Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Tampa Bay with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. ET.