The Vancouver Canucks will likely be without defenseman Dan Hamhuis until at least early February.
Head coach Willie Desjardins said the team expects Hamhuis will be out at least two months.
The 32-year-old blue-liner took a Dan Boyle shot to the face late in the third period during the Canucks' 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers, and the club confirmed Thursday that he suffered a facial fracture.
He spent Wednesday night in hospital, and was scheduled for surgery Friday.
Hamhuis has four points and the third-highest average ice time on the team, at 19:39, through 27 games.
