This is a gut punch for Ottawa fans, and it may have huge implications for the Washington Capitals’ first round matchup. Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson missed Thursday’s morning skate and will not play in Boston tonight.

Ottawa and Boston are tied at 94 points apiece, but Ottawa has one more game left to play. Both teams sit just one point ahead of Toronto, who also has an extra game in hand.

All three teams sit ahead of the Islanders and Lightning, who are on the brink of elimination. That means that the loser among the Senators, Bruins, and Leafs will take the last wild card spot and play against the Caps.

Tonight’s game between Ottawa and Boston (and Toronto’s game against Tampa) will result in a clear leader for the wild card spot, and Ottawa will play it without their best player.

JUST IN: Guy Boucher announces Erik Karlsson (LBI) will not play tonight against the Bruins. pic.twitter.com/Ws2uN3Rm35

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 6, 2017

Karlsson missed two games last week due to a foot injury but returned for a home-and-home against Detroit. The Sens took three out of four points from that series, but now they’ll be without a their Norris finalist and ice-time leader.

We’ll be watching closely.

Headline photo: Maddie Meyer