Leafs defenceman Gunnarsson out for remainder of the season with shoulder injury

Buffalo Sabres' Marcus Foligno (82) checks Toronto Maple Leafs' Carl Gunnarsson (36) of Sweden during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, April 3, 2012. The Sabres won 6-5 in overtime. (AP Photo/Devin Duprey)

2012-04-04 15:26:00

TORONTO - Carl Gunnarsson won't suit up again for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

The Swedish defenceman suffered a separated shoulder in the opening moments of Tuesday's 6-5 overtime loss in Buffalo after taking a big hit from Sabres forward Marcus Foligno.

Gunnarsson left the game and did not return.

Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said Wednesday the team expects a four-to-six week recovery period.

The injury means Gunnarsson will likely miss out on playing for his country at next month's world hockey championship.

The 25-year-old had four goals, 15 assists and 20 penalty minutes in 76 games with Toronto this season. In 187 career games, all with the Leafs, the native of Orebro, Sweden, has registered 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) to go with 44 penalty minutes.

Toronto has two games left in a disappointing season that has seen the team suffer a second-half collapse after a promising start.

The Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday before wrapping things up Saturday night in Montreal against the Canadiens.