Kings’ Marian Gaborik out eight weeks after World Cup injury

Marian Gaborik is out of the World Cup of Hockey with an injury after taking this shot from Mats Zuccarello off the foot.

TORONTO — Team Europe forward Marian Gaborik will miss the World Cup of Hockey final with a lower-body injury.

Gaborik left the European squad on Monday with a foot injury that will keep him out eight weeks as confirmed by his NHL club, the Los Angeles Kings.

"Due to a lower-body injury suffered on Sunday, forward Marian Gaborik has left Team Europe and he will not return," Europe general manager Miroslav Satan said in a statement. "Marian was a very important part of Team Europe throughout the entire World Cup of Hockey and though he is leaving our group today, he remains a part of our team. We know he will be supporting us in the final against Team Canada and we wish him all the best in his recovery."

Game 1 in the best-of-three final series against Canada is Tuesday night.

The 34-year-old Slovak forward scored his second goal in four World Cup games on Sunday to help Europe beat Sweden in the semifinals 3-2 in overtime. His absence weakens a European lineup already facing overwhelming odds against Canada.

As well as hurting the Europeans chances at the World Cup, the injury is also a blow to the Kings. Though he scored only 12 goals and 22 points in 54 games, Gaborik still offers speed and scoring ability.

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