The Ottawa Senators will try their best to enjoy the brief Christmas break before divulging the severity of captain Daniel Alfredsson's left shoulder injury.

A team spokesman confirmed Thursday that details of the injury won't be made available to the media until after the Senators conclude their pre-game skate on Saturday morning in Buffalo.

Alfredsson, 37, hurt the shoulder in the opening period of Wednesday's 8-2 loss at Pittsburgh and hinted afterward that he will likely be shelved for several weeks.

"I expect at least a few weeks," he told reporters following the loss.

Alfredsson was competing for the puck in the corner with Penguins defenceman Sergei Gonchar when he was smacked hard by oncoming forward Craig Adams.

Alfredsson's helmet flew off and he crumpled to his knees on the ice, where he lay for several minutes before leaving for the dressing room.

"I'm trying to reach for the puck — I don't think I'll ever get to it — but in the position I'm in there, I'm pretty vulnerable … and he stepped into me," he recalled.

Adams wasn't penalized on the play, and Alfredsson left Mellon Arena with his arm in a sling.

Alfredsson is Ottawa's leading scorer this season with 31 points, including nine goals.

"He is definitely our leader and a key player on our team," Senators netminder Pascal Leclaire said. "But we have some good guys in here. We all have to step it up a little bit."

Alfredsson has totalled 364 goals and 588 assists for 952 points in 969 NHL games since he was drafted in the sixth round (133rd overall) by Ottawa in 1994.

With files from The Canadian Press