Vancouver Canucks defenceman Alexander Edler underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan on Thursday morning and will miss a home game against the Atlanta Thrashers.
The Canucks defenceman suffered a suspected shoulder injury on Tuesday, when he was checked into the boards by Nashville Predators defenceman Shea Weber. Edler will be replaced by Mathieu Schneider on Thursday, in the first of eight straight home games for the Canucks.
The team has yet to disclose the extent of the injury, or comment on the amount of time Edler is expected to miss.
Vancouver has lost two straight games - one to the last-place Carolina Hurricanes - and Vigneault met with his captains on Tuesday, although refused to disclose the content of their conversation. The coach was steamed after a 4-2 loss to Nashville, and said his players needed to take a closer look at the NHL standings.
The Canucks entered Thursday in 11th place in the Western Conference, three points out of the final playoff spot. Vancouver also has a 14-game road trip in February and March - when GM Place is needed for the 2010 Olympics - meaning it has to gain ground during its season-long home stand. The team plays 17 of its next 23 games at home.
"Everyone is pretty much aware of where we are in the standings and we have to win games," goaltender and captain Roberto Luongo said.
"It's huge," Henrik Sedin said of the stand, which will keep the Canucks at home through Boxing Day. "We're out of the playoffs right now…we know where we are."
Other than Edler, the Canucks are almost back to full health. Rookie winger Michael Grabner (ankle) could return as early as next week, while veteran forward Pavol Demitra (shoulder), who has yet to play this season, is targeting a mid-January return.