Dmitry Kulikov Suspended for Two Games Following Illegal Check

The Florida Panthers defenseman will miss upcoming matches and forfeit salary after a hit on Tampa Bay's Conor Sheary.

Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov has been suspended for two games by the NHL for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Sheary.
The incident occurred during Tampa Bay’s 5-3 victory on Saturday, leading to Kulikov receiving a match penalty.
Kulikov will forfeit $10,416.66 in salary, which will go to an emergency assistance fund for NHL players.
This marks Kulikov's second suspension in his 15-year NHL career, impacting the Panthers' lineup for upcoming games.
The NHL’s department of player safety ruled the hit as avoidable, with Sheary’s head being the main point of contact.