Dmitry Kulikov’s Challenging Season
Dmitry Kulikov’s challenging season has reached an unfortunate conclusion. Following the Florida Panthers’ shootout defeat against the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Paul Maurice announced that the 32-year-old defenseman has sustained a broken finger in the third period. This latest setback means Kulikov will not participate in the remaining four games of the season.
“Dmitry won’t return from this injury,”
Maurice stated concisely.
Injury Struggles
This marks the third significant injury for Kulikov in a season that has been anything but kind to him. Just two games into the season, he faced a shoulder injury that required surgery, forcing him to sit out for 57 games as he recuperated. His return in March was greeted with optimism, as he played 15 games before misfortune struck again. In a game against the Ottawa Senators, he suffered a broken nose, leading to two missed games as he awaited medical clearance to return.
Despite the Panthers being effectively eliminated from playoff contention, Kulikov expressed a strong desire to continue battling alongside his teammates. He finally returned to the ice this past Sunday in Pittsburgh after being cleared to play.
Team Challenges
In a troubling trend, Kulikov is the third Panther in just two weeks to be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a broken finger—joining fellow players Evan Rodrigues, who was injured during a game against Minnesota, and Aaron Ekblad, who suffered his injury in the game where Kulikov broke his nose. Coach Maurice commented on this alarming pattern, saying,
“It’s just unbelievable what these guys have been through. It’s just the standard injury here now.”
Upcoming Games and Roster Adjustments
With the Panthers’ road trip continuing, they are set to take on the Ottawa Senators again on Thursday, followed by their final away game of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
In related news, the Panthers have also faced roster adjustments, including Matthew Tkachuk’s absence due to the birth of his child and a fine issued to Eetu Luostarinen for a high-sticking incident in the recent Pittsburgh game.
Photo caption: April 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dmitry Kulikov fights for puck control against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the matchup at PPG Paints Arena. (Mark Alberti-Imagn Images)
