BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Sabres center and faceoff ace Sam Carrick resumed practicing on Tuesday, and is in position to return for Buffalo’s second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens.
Coach Lindy Ruff anticipated Carrick will be back in the lineup soon, without providing a timetable by saying: “Once you’re cleared to practice, you’re within days of playing.”
The Sabres host Montreal in Game 1 on Wednesday night, followed by Game 2 on Friday.
Carrick wrenched his left arm during a fight with Islanders captain Anders Lee in the third period of Buffalo’s 4-3 win on March 31. He missed the final seven regular-season games and Buffalo’s six-game first-round series win over Boston.
Carrick’s return is considered ahead of schedule, and comes after he met with team doctors on Monday.
The Sabres acquired the 10th-year player in a trade with the New York Rangers on March 5. Carrick immediately took over as Buffalo’s fourth-line center, and has handled key faceoffs, especially in late-game situations in the Sabres defensive zone.
He won 82 of 143 faceoffs for Buffalo. The Sabres entered Tuesday ranked last among 16 playoff teams in winning 43.8% of their faceoffs.
Ruff previously ruled out rookie center Noah Ostlund (lower left leg) for Round 2.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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