Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov has been suspended for two games after an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Sheary. The incident occurred during Tampa Bay's 5-3 win on Saturday. Kulikov will be forced to sit out Thursday's home game against Nashville and a road contest against the Rangers on Saturday. Florida loses a big physical presence from the lineup, as Kulikov has registered 121 hits across 64 games this season. He also boasts 70 blocks and 16 points, which have all come via assists. Tobias Bjornfot is expected to step into the backline as Kulikov's replacement on Thursday.
Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (undisclosed) will be back in action Wednesday against Detroit. He was deemed unavailable for Monday's matchup versus Anaheim, but Kulikov has recovered quickly from an unspecified injury and will rejoin Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the third defensive pairing. Kulikov has yet to score in 39 appearances this season, but he boasts 10 assists and picked up hits (51) and blocks (50) at a good rate.
Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Monday's matchup against Anaheim. Kulikov missed practice on Sunday with an unspecified ailment and could come out of the lineup after featuring in 14 straight games. If he can't play, Kulikov will mainly be missed from the defensive end. He's been a big piece for the penalty kill while racking up 51 hits and 50 blocks in 39 appearances. The Russian journeyman has also notched 10 assists on the offensive front. Josh Mahura would get a chance to play without Kulikov.
Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will re-enter the lineup for Monday's battle against the Senators. He's back after being a healthy scratch for one game. Kulikov missed his first action of 2023-24 on Friday versus Winnipeg. Through 19 outings, he's posted six assists with 21 shots on goal, 27 hits, and 26 blocks. It's been a decent year for the Russian blue-liner, who isn't known for scoring. Kulikov will work with Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the bottom pairing, pushing Uvis Balinskis out of the lineup.
Dmitry Kulikov Battling An Illness, Iffy For Saturday
Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is battling an illness and might have to sit out Saturday's encounter with Seattle. He has missed the last two practices and is regarded as a game-time decision for the contest. The Russian rearguard has made a strong start to the 2023-24 campaign, posting three points in six games with 10 hits, 11 blocks, and a plus-three rating. Mike Reilly is in line to replace Kulikov on Saturday if he doesn't feel well enough to play.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will miss Tuesday's matchup against Montreal with a lower-body injury, and the team considers him week-to-week. Kulikov, who arrived in a trade deadline deal from Anaheim, was injured in only his fourth game for the team Sunday against the Rangers. The Russian blue-liner has managed 16 points in 65 games this season with 93 hits and 107 blocked shots. Pierre-Olivier Joseph is set to re-enter the lineup in Kulikov's absence. He's posted similar numbers to Kulikov offensively (17 points) but has only 72 hits and 28 blocks in 59 games for the campaign.
Dmitry Kulikov, John Klingberg Kept Out Of Wednesday's Game
Anaheim Ducks defensemen Dmitry Kulikov and John Klingberg won't play Wednesday against Washington for trade-related reasons. The Ducks are protecting their assets, with only a couple of days to go until the trade deadline. Klingberg is definitely the more valuable piece of the two, although he hasn't exactly been setting the world alight this season, settling for 24 points in 50 games. Colton White and Scott Harrington will replace Kulikov and Klingberg in the team on Wednesday.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Alex Goligoski will replace Dmitry Kulikov in the lineup on Wednesday against St. Louis after sitting out the team's playoff opener as a healthy scratch. Kulikov logged 15:50 in the game and had a poor night in a 4-0 loss with a minus-two rating. Goligoski enjoyed a solid regular season with 30 points and an outstanding plus-41 rating in 72 games, but Wild head coach Dave Evason has scratched him quite regularly in recent weeks, which suggests that he hasn't been happy about Goligoski's play. The veteran blue-liner will try to prove his worth again on the third defensive pairing alongside Jon Merrill.
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