Sabres’ Ostlund, Carrick to miss second round playoff series

Carrick, who was acquired in a deal at the trade deadline with the New York Rangers, has not appeared in a game since he suffered an upper-body injury in a fight against New York Islanders captain Anders Lee on Mar. 31.

The Markham, Ontario native provided some surprising offensive punch after the Sabres acquired him, tallying 5 goals in 13 games played with Buffalo after posting just 4 in 60 games with the Rangers.

Ostlund, Buffalo’s first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft at No. 16 overall, made his NHL debut last season and stuck around this year in a full-time role. The Swede wrapped up his rookie campaign with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 60 games played, and he had a goal and an assist for two points in his three postseason games prior to the lower-body injury he sustained in Game 5.

The Sabres, in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011 after snapping the longest postseason drought in the NHL, took care of business in the first round by eliminating the Boston Bruins in six games. Buffalo was impressive in going 3-0 on the road in the series.

The Sabres will find out their opponent for the second round on Sunday upon the conclusion of Game 7 of the Atlantic Division’s other first-round series between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning. As the top seed out of the Atlantic, Buffalo will have home-ice advantage against either opponent.