Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Carrick is recovering faster than expected from a left arm injury and may return to practice on Tuesday, ahead of the playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens starting Wednesday.
Key points
Sam Carrick is recovering from a left arm injury
He could return to practice on Tuesday
Carrick was initially expected to miss the playoffs
The Sabres play the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs
Buffalo SabresMontreal CanadiensSam Carrick
Sabres depth gets boost as Sam Carrick moves closer to return
Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Carrick is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a left arm injury and could return to practice on Tuesday.
Carrick, 34, initially was expected to miss the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens. The best-of-seven set begins Wednesday night in Buffalo.
"(He's) going to see our doctors today and thinks he's further along than maybe I portrayed yesterday," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Monday. "So, with good news, he could join our team back in practice tomorrow, which is great news. That would put him a little bit ahead of schedule."
Conor Timmins of the Buffalo Sabres is defended by Nikita Zadorov of the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
Jack Quinn of the Buffalo Sabres and Mark Kastelic of the Boston Bruins collide during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
Q&A
When is Sam Carrick expected to return to practice?
Sam Carrick is expected to return to practice on Tuesday.
What injury is Sam Carrick recovering from?
Sam Carrick is recovering from a left arm injury.
Which team are the Sabres facing in the playoffs?
The Sabres are facing the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series.
How has Sam Carrick's recovery progressed?
Sam Carrick is ahead of schedule in his recovery and may join the team for practice sooner than anticipated.
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Jeremy Swaymanof the Boston Bruins defends the net against Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch points to a teammate after scoring against the Boston Bruins during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres won, 4-1.
Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres is defended by Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch points to his goaltender after being congratulated at the bench after scoring against the Boston Bruins during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres won, 4-1.
Hampus Lindholm of the Boston Bruins and Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres battle for the puck during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
Zach Benson of the Buffalo Sabres is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres checks Fraser Minten of the Boston Bruins during the third period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson turns with the puck during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.
Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm collides with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon in the crease during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden.
Boston Bruins center Michael Eyssimont reaches for a loose puck while being pinned up against the boards by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden.
Buffalo Sabres right wing Josh Doan tries to avoid a hip check by Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy during the second period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin lets go with a shot as Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy defends during the second period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden.
1 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Conor Timmins of the Buffalo Sabres is defended by Nikita Zadorov of the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
1 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Conor Timmins of the Buffalo Sabres is defended by Nikita Zadorov of the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
2 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Jack Quinn of the Buffalo Sabres and Mark Kastelic of the Boston Bruins collide during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
3 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Jeremy Swaymanof the Boston Bruins defends the net against Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
4 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch points to a teammate after scoring against the Boston Bruins during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres won, 4-1.
5 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres is defended by Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
6 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch points to his goaltender after being congratulated at the bench after scoring against the Boston Bruins during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres won, 4-1.
7 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Hampus Lindholm of the Boston Bruins and Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres battle for the puck during the second period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres won, 4-1.
8 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Zach Benson of the Buffalo Sabres is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
9 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres checks Fraser Minten of the Boston Bruins during the third period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
10 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson turns with the puck during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.
11 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm collides with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon in the crease during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden.
12 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Boston Bruins center Michael Eyssimont reaches for a loose puck while being pinned up against the boards by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden.
13 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Buffalo Sabres right wing Josh Doan tries to avoid a hip check by Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy during the second period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden.
14 / 14
Sabres beat Bruins to clinch their first playoff win since 2007
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin lets go with a shot as Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy defends during the second period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden.
Carrick has not played or practiced since he was injured in a March 31 fight against the New York Islanders.
Acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, Carrick recorded five goals and one assist in 13 games for the Sabres.