Aaron Ekblad Out Against Kings; Expected To Return For Panthers Home Opener

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Kings due to personal reasons. The absence marks his second consecutive game out after he was a late scratch on Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old blueliner is expected to rejoin the lineup for the Panthers' home opener against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.

Through two games this season, Ekblad has logged one assist while averaging nearly 21 minutes of ice time. In his absence, Uvis Balinskis has entered the defensive rotation alongside Radko Gudas on the third pairing, with no other lineup changes expected for Florida.