Ottawa announced defenseman Thomas Chabot will suit up Thursday against Florida, ending a 2½‑week layoff from a broken arm. The 29‑year‑old was struck by Rangers captain J.T. Miller on March 23, underwent surgery three days later and was expected to miss at least a month. Coach D.J. Smith praised his resilience, expecting him to anchor.

Ottawa sits two points clear of Columbus in the second wild‑card slot, with three other clubs a point back. Since Chabot’s injury, the club has gone 3‑1, beating only teams already locked into the postseason. He logged seven goals and 24 assists in 55 games, posting a plus‑6 rating and averaging 22:34 of ice time, second only to Jake Sanderson.

Chabot’s swift comeback trims the Senators’ defensive holes and restores a top‑pair presence on the blue line. With his 22:34 minutes per game, Ottawa gains stability ahead of the final stretch, where every point could dictate a playoff berth. The Panthers will test the refreshed unit, but Ottawa now fields its full roster for a crucial showdown.