NHL Status Report: Carrick week to week for Sabres

Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.

Buffalo Sabres

Sam Carrick is out week to week for the Sabres with a left arm injury, but he has not been ruled out for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, coach Lindy Ruff said on Thursday. The forward was injured in a fight with New York Islanders captain Anders Lee in the third period of a 4-3 win on Tuesday. He has 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 73 games this season, including five goals and one assist in 13 games with Buffalo since he was acquired in a trade with the Rangers on March 6. The Sabres can clinch a playoff spot Thursday with a win against the Ottawa Senators (7 p.m. ET; RDS2, TSN5, MSG-B).

Edmonton Oilers

Zach Hyman will be a game-time decision for the Oilers against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, CHSN). The forward is dealing with an undisclosed injury and did not take part in the morning skate. Hyman has 51 points (31 goals, 20 assists) in 56 games this season. ... Forward Trent Frederic, who has missed five games with an undisclosed injury, will return to the lineup.

Philadelphia Flyers

Tyson Foerster will return to the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDETX, NBCSP) after missing 49 games because of an arm injury sustained Dec. 1. The forward had surgery Dec. 15 and was expected to be out five months. He was leading the Flyers with 10 goals in 21 games when he was injured. "We're excited for him," coach Rick Tocchet said. "He worked hard. Four months, a lot of lonely nights at the rink by himself. So I give him a lot of credit." Foerster took line rushes at left wing, alongside center Trevor Zegras and right wing Owen Tippett. "Plays the game really well, thinks the game really well, makes a lot of plays," Tippett said of Foerster. "Obviously can shoot it really well too. He's a huge boost for our group, not only on the ice, but also in the locker room too. He's a good presence, and we've missed him all year."

Tampa Bay Lightning

Brandon Hagel likely will not play for the Lightning against the Boston Bruins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, SN-PIT). The forward skated 22:21 in a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday but is dealing with an undisclosed injury. "He is probably day to day right now," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Wednesday. "He's probably doubtful for tomorrow night, and so is (defenseman Scott Sabourin)." Hagel has 73 points (35 goals, 38 assists) in 69 games this season.

Vegas Golden Knights

Carter Hart will return and start for the Golden Knights against the Calgary Flames on Thursday (10 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, SNO, SNE, SN1). The goalie has missed 33 games since leaving in the first period of a 5-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 8 with a lower-body injury. Hart is 5-3-3 with a 3.28 goals-against average and .871 save percentage in 12 games this season.

Florida Panthers

Aaron Ekblad has a broken finger and Panthers coach Paul Maurice said the defenseman is out weeks and unsure there will be enough time for him to return this season. Florida has eight games remaining beginning against the Boston Bruins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NESN, SNO, SNE, SN1). … Dmitry Kulikov broke his nose "pretty significantly," Maurice said. The defenseman won't play Thursday but could face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Kulikov, Ekblad and defenseman Donovan Sebrango were all injured during a 6-3 win against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. … The Panthers are also likely without forwards Aleksander Barkov (knee), Brad Marchand (lower body), Sam Reinhart (foot), Anton Lundell (ribs), Evan Rodrigues (broken finger) and Jonah Gadjovich (upper body), and defensemen Niko Mikkola (knee) and Uvis Balinskis (fractured foot) for the remainder of the season.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Forwards Mason Marchment and Isac Lundestrom will each be a game-time decision at the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, FDSNSO) after neither practiced Tuesday. Forward Mathieu Olivier who has missed one game with an upper-body injury, and defenseman Damon Severson (upper body), who has missed two, are out for the remainder of the regular season. ... Zach Aston-Reese was recalled from Cleveland of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis Wednesday. The forward has five points (one goal, four assists) in 26 games NHL games this season.

Washington Capitals

Aliaksei Protas (upper body) is day to day and did not travel with the Capitals for their game at the New Jersey Devils on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+). The forward missed a 6-4 loss at the Flyers on Tuesday after he was injured in a collision with former teammate Nic Dowd in the first period of a 5-4 shootout win at the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.

New Jersey Devils

Arseny Gritsyuk will have surgery and be out for the rest of the season for the Devils. The forward, who has missed the past four games with an upper-body injury, will finish the season with 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 66 games. "He was on his way to returning to play, but it is something that is likely to be re-injured if not addressed," Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said Thursday. New Jersey hosts the Washington Capitals on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+).

Chicago Blackhawks

Andrew Mangiapane traveled with the Blackhawks and is expected to play against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, CHSN). The forward has been out since sustaining an upper-body injury during a 2-1 win against the Minnesota Wild on March 19. Sacha Boisvert is also expected to play after the forward was a healthy scratch in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. ... Forward Oliver Moore, who has not played since March 8 because of a lower-body injury, may miss the rest of the season. Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said if Moore does play, it will be, "just at the very end.