Panthers' Aaron Ekblad returning for Game 1 against Capitals

Washington Capitals superstar captain Alex Ovechkin won't be the only big name returning to action when his side faces the top-seeded Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series on Tuesday night. 

Per the NHL's website, Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad practiced Monday and has been deemed good to go for Tuesday's encounter. Ekblad hasn't played since he went down with a lower-body injury against the Anaheim Ducks on March 18 and missed the final 20 contests of the regular season. Even without the 26-year-old's services, Florida comfortably finished atop the Eastern Conference standings. 

Before the setback, Ekblad notched career highs with 57 points and 42 assists across 61 games. 

"He had some great line rushes right away, so it was fun to see him back and feeling confident," fellow defenseman Radko Gudas said of Ekblad's return to the practice ice this past weekend, per Jameson Olive of the club's website. "He's been our leader since Game 1. He plays the biggest role in our back end and was a stud the whole season. We're really looking forward to having him back."

As for Ovechkin, he missed Washington's final three regular-season games with an upper-body injury presumably related to his left arm and/or shoulder that he suffered on April 24 but has been cleared to play on Tuesday.