Florida Panthers’ 3-Peat Bid Just Got Even More Challenging

Uvis Balinskis took Kulikov’s place in the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday. The Panthers missed Kulikov’s physicality and steady presence, as Detroit pulled off a 4-1 victory at Little Caesars Arena.

“Dmitry is like some of the other players that we have out of the lineup, he is unique in his role,” Panthers head coach Maurice told reporters. “Excellent penalty killer, physical player in the five, six (spot on defense), but he can skate and close gaps. So, that’s the hole.”

Kulikov registered 13 points (four goals, nine assists) with a plus-13 rating in 70 regular season games last season.

Maurice believes that Balinskis can step in positively to solidify the Panthers’ blue line in Kulikov’s absence.

“Uvis played, I believe, 74 games for us last year (76), so we’ll put in a veteran player who’s played here,” Maurice said. “So again, it’s the same concept. You don’t replace these guys that you have out of the lineup. The weight doesn’t get heavier. You just have fewer guys to lift, right? So, everybody shares it.

“We have full expectation of Uvis playing the game that he’s capable of playing. He doesn’t get any room not to. But that’s a positive for us. We think we’re putting a guy in who’s very capable.”

More Road Tests Ahead

The Panthers have opened the 2025-26 season with a 3-2-0 record with six points. Florida currently occupies the first Wild Card place in the Eastern Conference. The loss to Detroit followed Monday’s 5-2 road defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers.

With Tkachuk, Barkov, Nosek and now Kulikov sidelined, the Panthers’ depth is being put to the test.

Starting with a meeting with the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Thursday, the Panthers have three more games to come on their road trip before returning home against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 23.

Despite a slew of challenging injuries, the Panthers still have 15 healthy players who played in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. That experience will be leaned on to persevere while the roster is missing some of its most impactful stars.

Over the past few seasons, the Panthers have shown an ability to respond to challenges and adversity. They’re kind of like John McClane in Die Hard. They keep taking hits – but even if they’re battered and bruised, they’ll show up when it matters.