Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff provided an update on Sam Carrick on Thursday.
Ruff told reporters ahead of the Sabres' game against the Ottawa Senators that Carrick is week-to-week with an arm injury, but that he hasn't been ruled out for the playoffs, per Heather Engel of NHL.com.
Carrick was injured during Tuesday night's 4-3 win over the New York Islanders, needing assistance leaving the ice after trading punches with Anders Lee.
While Carrick was throwing punches with his right hand, his left arm was tied up at an awkward angle as he spun and was taken down to the ice. Carrick remained down in obvious pain before leaving for the locker room.
The fourth-line centre has been productive in his first 13 games with Buffalo, scoring five goals with one assist. Carrick had four goals and six assists in 60 games with the New York Rangers to begin the season.
The Rangers traded Carrick to the Sabres on March 6 for 2026 third- and sixth-round draft picks.
The Sabres have a chance to clinch the playoffs on Thursday after missing out on the post-season for 14 consecutive seasons. A win of any kind over Ottawa would be enough to secure their place in the post-season.
Even without a victory, Buffalo can still punch its ticket by earning at least a point against Ottawa, provided out-of-town results go their way — namely, a Philadelphia Flyers win over the Detroit Red Wings and a Carolina Hurricanes victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
-- with files from The Associated Press
