The Florida Panthers, reigning two-time Stanley Cup champs, are facing a tough road ahead as their season winds down. They're set to be without key defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Dmitry Kulikov for Thursday's clash against the Boston Bruins. Both are sidelined with upper-body injuries, and the outlook suggests they might miss the rest of the season.
Ekblad's injury occurred during a penalty kill against the Ottawa Senators when he blocked a shot with his right hand. Despite staying on the ice, it's been reported that he suffered a fracture, potentially keeping him out for the remaining games.
Kulikov also took a hit in the Panthers' 6-3 victory over the Senators, leaving the game in the third period after a puck struck his face. Head coach Paul Maurice indicated that Kulikov would need a CT scan to assess the damage.
These injuries add to a growing list of sidelined stars as the Panthers' challenging 2025-26 campaign nears its end. Their title defense hopes were already dented when captain Aleksander Barkov was ruled out for the season with ACL and BCL injuries. Brad Marchand has been absent for a month due to a lower-body issue, and Sam Reinhart is likely out as well.
The team's depth is being tested with Anton Lundell, Evan Rodrigues, Cole Schwindt, Jonah Gadjovich, Niko Mikkola, and Uvis Balinskis all currently unavailable. The Panthers will need the upcoming offseason to regroup and prepare for a stronger 2026-27 season.
In his 72 games this season, Ekblad has contributed four goals and 22 assists, totaling 26 points. Kulikov, who was sidelined for nearly five months after an early-season injury, hasn't scored in his 17 appearances. The Panthers are certainly feeling the absence of these key players as they look to finish the season on a positive note.