The Florida Panthers have begun the 2025-26 season with two consecutive wins over the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers. On Saturday, the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions will look to close their three-game homestand to open the year with a win over the Ottawa Senators.

However, that task has gotten just a bit harder due to injury. According to team beat reporter George Richards, via X formerly Twitter, defenseman Dmitry Kulikov may require surgery for an injury sustained in the win over Philadelphia.

“Paul Maurice said Dmitry Kulikov could need surgery – that will be decided perhaps as early as tonight,” reported Richards on Saturday morning.

Kulikov was injured on an attempt to hit Flyers forward Bobby Brink. However, he missed to an extent, catching part of Brink as we

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