Sabres’ Sam Carrick available for Game 3 against Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff announced on Saturday that center Sam Carrick is available for Game 3 against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday.
Lindy Ruff says Sam Carrick is available for Game 3 Sunday night in Montreal.
Carrick has missed the last 15 games, including all of the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far, with an arm injury. He sustained the injury during a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders on March 31st during a fight with Anders Lee. In what was described as a “freak accident”, Carrick managed to injure his arm in the fight without breaking any bones.
At this point in time, it’s not confirmed whether Carrick will actually return to the lineup, only that he is available for the game. However, given that the Sabres are coming off of a blowout 5-1 loss to the Canadiens in Game 2 on Friday, lineup changes are certainly a possibility. We’ll likely get an update on if Carrick will play in Game 3 during morning skate on Sunday ahead of the game.
Carrick has had a normal season in terms of production, as he had nine goals and seven assists for 16 points in 73 games, including five goals and one assist for six points in 13 games with the Sabres. Carrick started the season with the New York Rangers and was dealt to the Sabres at the trade deadline in exchange for a third and sixth-round pick in 2026.
Carrick is one of the more experienced players on the Sabres, not in terms of playoff games played but more so being on a Stanley Cup Final team, as he was on the 2024 Edmonton Oilers team that went to the Final, only to lose to the Florida Panthers. Current Sabres teammate Ryan McLeod was also on that team, albeit in a more prominent role.
The Sabres currently find themselves even at 1-1 in their second-round series with the Canadiens after Friday’s blowout loss tied the series and gave Montreal home ice advantage. Buffalo will look to bounce back and regain the series lead when they visit Montreal for Game 3 on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.