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Outrage as NHL Player Safety Fumbles Decision on Kulikov's Elbow to Marner

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 13, 2025 12:48 PM ET

Dmitry Kulikov clearly targeted Mitch Marner's head in Game 4, and after receiving no discipline for it, fans showed their outrage all over social media.

The Florida Panthers haven't been afraid to get physical in their series with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and at this point in time, Toronto should be considered lucky for only having the one injury in this series.

In Game 4, Mitch Marner was lucky to avoid injury after defenseman Dmitry Kulikov intentionally elbowed him in the head, and with the blatant act of targeting, many expected the veteran to face some type of discipline.

Unfortunately for Maple Leafs fans, the deadline for that discipline came and went on Monday with no punishment for Kulikov, despite video replay clearly showing him targeting the head of an opponent, the very act the Department of 'Player Safety' is looking to get out of the game.

This led to plenty of backlash on social media, with fans of the Maple Leafs as well as neutral fans weighing in, with all of them complaining that the league didn't even take a look at this one.

This isn't even the first time in this series that a Panthers player has got away with a questionable elbow, with both Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad getting away with their acts as well, but for Max Domi, a fine of $5,000 was handed out following one boarding call on the opposing captain.

While the league and the officials on the ice obviously try not to be biased towards or against one team, it's clear at this point that there is something to be said for those allegations in this series, and if the Panthers are allowed to elbow opposing players in the head with no backlash, this one could get ugly.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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