Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss at least one game against the Lightning, depending on the next match result, after the NHL Department of Player Safety handed him a two-game suspension for elbowing Brandon Hagel in the head during Game 4. The hit occurred midway through the second period of Monday’s 4–2 Florida win over Tampa Bay.

The Panthers will defend their home court in Game 5 on Wednesday and the Stars will travel to Colorado for Game 6 on Thursday.

Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was suspended for Game 5 for his forearm hit on Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel. And Niko Mikkola was fined $5,000 for a penalty during the game, as well.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended two games for elbowing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in Monday’s 4-2 Panthers win in Game 4 of the teams’ first-round Stanley Cup playoffs series, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Tuesday.