Buffalo Sabres forward William Carrier can expect a call from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

The 22-year-old caught Boston Bruins forward David Backes with a headshot on Thursday and was assessed a minor for an illegal check to the head and a fighting major after Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid took exception to the hit.

Backes was forced to leave the game with what the team called an upper-body injury.

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