The Florida Panthers finish their season on April 15th against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Based on the way the standings look, that game could carry some matter of importance in regards to the standings. We already know that the Panthers will be short at least one player, and that player is a pretty important one.
On Monday, the NHL announced that defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for 20 games for violating the league’s Performance Enhancing Substance Program. That punishment, which is without pay, will keep Ekblad out through the end of the season as well as the first two games of the playoffs.