The Ottawa Senators suffered a significant setback midway through Game 4 of their second-round series against the New York Rangers.
Star defenceman Erik Karlsson was shaken up after a battle along the boards during the last shift of the second period. He was slow to get up and rejoin the play, and could be seen grimacing on the bench. He was not on the bench to start the third period, and did not return to the game due to what the team later called a lower-body injury.
After the game, head coach Guy Boucher told reporters that Karlsson could have played in the third period, but a cautious approach on the part of the team held him out.
Karlsson was also tripped up by Rangers forward Chris Kreider in an earlier play during the second frame.
Ottawa’s captain has already been playing through two hairline fractures in his left heel, suffered late it the regular season.
