The Ottawa Senators will attempt to clinch a playoff spot without the aid of their captain on Thursday night.

Erik Karlsson will be held out of the lineup against the Boston Bruins and is considered day to day with a lower-body injury, head coach Guy Boucher announced, according to TSN 1200's Dean Brown.

Karlsson had played in the team's last two games against the Detroit Red Wings - scoring a goal in each contest - after missing last Thursday's contest against the Minnesota Wild with a foot injury.

The Senators can clinch a playoff spot by claiming at least a point against the Bruins, or if both the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning lose on Thursday.