Panthers D Dmitry Kulikov dealing with broken nose

Field Level Media|published: Thu 2nd April, 12:53 2026

NHL: Florida Panthers at San Jose Sharks

Jan 25, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (7) warms up before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is dealing with a broken nose but could return to the ice this weekend.

Kulikov, 35, has been ruled out of Thursday night's game against the visiting Boston Bruins.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Kulikov could barely breathe after suffering the injury on Tuesday in a 6-3 win against the Ottawa Senators.

Kulikov, who missed most of this season recovering from a labral tear, has been held scoreless in 17 games this season.

A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Panthers, Kulikov has 247 points (50 goals, 197 assists) in 1,035 career games with eight NHL teams. He was the 14th overall pick by Florida in the 2009 NHL Draft.

The Panthers (36-35-3, 75 points) stand next to last in the Eastern Conference and on the verge of being eliminated from the playoff picture.

--Field Level Media

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