Ekman-Larsson (knee) will join Team Sweden for the 2019 IIHF World Championship, Sebastian Noren of NHL.com reports. Ekman-Larsson's status for Worlds was considered in doubt after the blueliner played through knee and ankle issues toward the end of the 2018-19 campaign. The defenseman put together his fifth 40-plus point campaign this year and nearly propelled the Coyotes into the postseason. It seems the 27-year-old will have plenty of time to heal up and be ready when the tournament kicks off May 10 in Slovakia.
General Manager John Chayka said Monday that Ekman-Larsson had been playing through knee and high-ankle injuries during the season, Craig Morgan of The Athletic reports. It's unclear when the injury occurred or how long he had been playing through it, but nonetheless Ekman-Larsson toughed it out. The 27-year-old had a solid season from a fantasy perspective, racking up 44 points in 81 games. Chayka neglected to mention whether Ekman-Larsson would need surgery and what the timetable was for the injury.
Ekman-Larsson scored twice in Friday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Avalanche. It wasn't enough for a win, but Ekman-Larsson's two tallies did earn the Coyotes a valuable point for the playoff race. He's up to 14 goals and 43 points in 77 games this season -- right in line with most of his previous five campaigns. With 152 hits and 164 shots this year, it's been another well-rounded seasonal output for the Swedish blueliner.
Ekman-Larsson scored a goal on his only shot and added two hits, two PIM and a blocked shot in Saturday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Devils. His 12th goal of the season opened the scoring in the first period, but it was the only one the Coyotes could get past rookie netminder MacKenzie Blackwood. Ekman-Larsson has now reached the 40-point plateau for the fifth time in his career.
Ekman-Larsson collected a power-play assist in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Oilers. Ekman-Larsson now has two goals and an assist in his last three games for a modest point streak. He did take a minus-3 rating, getting caught on the ice for every Oilers goal. Ekman-Larsson has 39 points (11 goals, 28 assists) in 71 games this season, with 18 of those points coming on the man advantage. He's also added 136 hits and 155 shots to boost his value a bit more.