Aaron Ekblad shakes off injury and expects to play Thursday, bolstering Florida's blue line. The Panthers' top D-man brings that shutdown presence coaches crave in tight games. As the standings crunch hits, Ekblad's return raises the floor for a team gunning for another deep run.

An Edmonton insider names two blue-line studs as perfect fits for the Oilers' second pairing, addressing that defensive hole that's plagued their Cup push. McDavid and Draisaitl need shutdown reliability behind Ekblad and Bouchard, and these targets bring exactly that grit without breaking the bank. As Holland's war room hums with deadline deals, grabbing these vets could flip the script on Edmonton's postseason fate.

Mikulas Hovorka takes a massive stride in his second AHL season with the Charlotte Checkers, posting 10 points in 30 games and leading the team in plus/minus before Florida recalls him to fill in for injured Ekblad and Bjornfot. The 6-foot-6 Czech blueliner steps into the NHL spotlight against Tampa Bay, bringing pro experience from the Extraliga that coach Maurice praises for helping him read the league's speed.