Jeff Carter likely doubtful for Game 5

Jeff Carter, who sat out the final two periods of Wednesday's Game 4 loss in Buffalo, is likely to be considered doubtful for Friday's pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Officially, the Flyers are saying their leading goal scorer from the regular season is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. No shock. But Carter collided with 6-8 Buffalo defenseman Tyler Myers late in the first period on Wednesday and appeared to go knee-to-knee with Myers.

Both players briefly left the game. Myers was the only one to return.

Carter, who netted 36 goals this season, did not skate with the team's scratches today and was not seen at the team's training facility. He was limping badly leaving HSBC Arena on Wednesday.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren denied a WIP report that Carter will be out 10 to 14 days with an MCL sprain.

Carter missed 11 playoff games last season when he broke a bone in his foot that required surgery during Game 4 of the first round against New Jersey. He missed the entire second-round matchup with Boston but returned for the end of the conference finals against Montreal.