Montreal Canadiens veteran forward Chris Kreider is set to be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks with a lower-body injury, the team announced Saturday morning.
Kreider, 35, was injured in Thursday’s 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins after a collision with Michael Eyssimont.
The play occurred in the third period, with Eyssimont appearing to lose an edge near centre ice before sliding into Kreider’s leg.
He was unable to put any weight on his left leg as he left the ice, and did not return for the remainder of the contest.
Kreider joined the Canadiens on a one-year, $2.1 million contract in September after his previous deal was mutually terminated with the Anaheim Ducks.
Montreal sits tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division with a 12-3-4 record.
The Canadiens return home on Saturday to take on the Colorado Avalanche before embarking on a three-game road trip beginning on Monday against the New York Rangers.
The 6-foot-3 forward has three goals and nine points in 19 games for Montreal this season.