Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov will be out two to four weeks with an ankle sprain, the club announced Thursday.
Linesman Matt MacPherson fell awkwardly on Yakupov’s leg Wednesday night during a second-period face-off at centre ice and twisted the forward’s ankle.
Yakupov, who had registered his 100th career point earlier in the game, appeared to be favouring his left leg as he left the ice and did not return. The Oilers lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1.
Watch the incident:
The first-overall pick of the 2012 draft, Yakupov has scored two goals and 12 points in 22 games this season but has not found the back of the net in 16 games.
The Oilers are already without 2015 first-overall pick Connor McDavid, who is recovering from a broken clavicle and had developed some chemistry with Yakupov.