Erik Karlsson's departure from the third period of Game 4 against the New York Rangers appears to have been precautionary.
Ottawa Senators head coach Guy Boucher said Karlsson could have played the final frame but the team chose to keep him out, and the superstar defenseman is expected to play in Game 5 on Saturday, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.
Karlsson left for the dressing room at the second intermission in apparent pain after colliding with Rangers forward J.T. Miller near the boards on his last shift of the frame.
Boucher would only refer to Karlsson's ailment as a lower-body injury, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.
The Senators star didn't return for the third period with the Senators trailing 3-0, and New York held on for a 4-1 victory that evened the series at 2-2.
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