Panthers get a massive boost ahead of Tuesday's game 1 against Washington

The Florida Panthers will open their Stanley Cup Playoff schedule on Tuesday night and will do so by getting a big boost to their lineup.

Panthers interim head coach Andrew Brunette confirmed that defenceman Aaron Ekblad will return to the lineup for game 1 after missing the last six weeks with a lower-body injury.

With Ekblad back, here are the projected lines for tonight's tilt with the Capitals.

Verhaeghe-Barkov-Duclair
Huberdeau-Bennett-Giroux
Marchment-Lundell-Reinhart
Lomberg-Luostarinen-Hornqvist

Weegar-Ekblad
Forsling-Gudas
Chiarot-Montour

Bobrovsky
Knight

Puck drop for the first-ever playoff game between Florida and Washington is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and Sportsnet360.

Panthers coach Andrew Brunette confirms Aaron Ekblad (lower body) will play tonight in Game 1 vs. Capitals— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 3, 2022

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