The Ottawa Senators believe Marc Methot's shattered finger will keep him out of action until the postseason.
"Don't expect (Methot) to play during the (remaining regular-)season games," Senators head coach Guy Boucher told reporters Saturday.
The defenseman has been out since Sidney Crosby's controversial slash last month forced him out of the lineup for "weeks."
Methot ranks fourth on the Senators in ice time, averaging 19:49.
Ottawa has six games left in its regular-season schedule, including Saturday night's road date with the Winnipeg Jets.
The Senators sit second in the Atlantic Division, six points behind the Montreal Canadiens and two points ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
