Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice announced that defenceman Dmitry Kulikov will be out of the lineup with an upper-body injury until at least the NHL All-Star Break.
#NHLJets HC Paul Maurice said D Dmitry Kulikov (upper body) will be out of the lineup until around the #NHL All-Star break
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeAthletic) December 3, 2019
Dmitry Kulikov Out Until All-Star Break
Kulikov got injured during the Jets 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. The injury occurred in the first period of the contest. Kulikov left the game after playing just 3:59 of the game and did not return. For the remainder of the game against the Ducks, the Jets went with five defencemen. The veteran defenceman did not play Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings.
In 25 games this season with the Jets, Kulikov has recorded four points (one goal and three assists).
Going Forward
After Kulikov originally got injured in Anaheim, the Jets called up Cameron Schilling from the American Hockey League. However, he did not see any action against the Kings on Saturday night. The Jets kept their defensive pairings together with Josh Morrissey and Tucker Poolman playing the top-pairing. Followed by Luca Sbisa and Neal Pionk on the second-pairing. With Anthony Bitetto and Carl Dahlstrom on the third-pairing.
The news was not all bad for the Jets. In fact, Mason Appleton, Gabriel Bourque, and Nathan Beaulieu all skated prior to the team’s practice on Monday. Appleton is the closest to returning as he was sporting a regular practice jersey for the team’s skate prior to their game on Tuesday night. Bourque is still a week away from returning to practice. While Beaulieu is also still a week away from returning but continues to skate on his own.
Winnipeg has been decimated by injuries on the blueline this season. However, the Jets have been able to weather the storm. Beaulieu was able to help steady the Jets’ ship when he returned last time from injury. Winnipeg is hoping for the same now that Kulikov will be out for a while.
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