BUFFALO – Injured centers Sam Carrick and Noah Ostlund will be sidelined for the Sabres’ second-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, coach Lindy Ruff said this afternoon.
Carrick, a key contributor following his arrival before the trade deadline, hasn’t played since injuring his left arm in a fight March 31. He has missed the last 13 games.
He quickly acclimated to his new team, scoring five goals and six points in 13 games while pivoting the fourth line.
Meanwhile, Ostlund suffered a lower-body injury when he got tangled with Casey Mittelstadt along he boards in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins. Ostlund missed Friday’s 4-1 series-clinching win in Boston.
The Swede, whose two-way play and hockey smarts helped him earn regular duty as a rookie, compiled 11 goals and 27 points in 60 regular-season games.
After missing Games 1 and 2 of the postseason, he recorded a goal and an assist in three games before going down again.
The Sabres practiced this morning in KeyBank Center following a day off. The winner of tonight’s game between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning will determine their second-round opponent.