Dmitry Kulikov’s first year in Buffalo has largely been defined by his lingering back injury, but he’ll set about changing that narrative when he returns to the lineup tonight in Nashville.
Today, Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma confirmed Kulikov would play for the first time since Dec. 27, having missed nearly a month with his lingering ailment.
Kulikov also missed 13 games earlier in the year with the same back problem.
Acquired at last year’s draft in a deal that sent Mark Pysyk to Florida -- along with picks being exchanged -- Kulikov was expected to play a big role in Buffalo this season, and projected to play on the club’s top defensive pairing with Rasmus Ristolainen.
“You watch Florida when they go on the PK; he was the first guy on the ice, when they needed a goal on the playoffs he was on the ice, when they needed to protect a lead late in the game he was on the ice,” Sabres GM Tim Murray said at the time of the trade, per NHL.com. “So we certainly liked what we saw.”
All told, the 26-year-old Russian’s appeared in just 20 games this year, registering a single point. He has averaged over 22 minutes per, though -- meaning head coach Dan Bylsma has used Kulikov quite a bit, when available.
Kulikov didn’t take this morning’s skate, so no clear indication on who he’ll pair with this evening.