Bryan Bickell #29 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his 1st period goal against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 24, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Chicago Blackhawks left-winger Bryan Bickell will miss the rest of the NHL playoffs after undergoing surgery on his hand.
Bickell lacerated a tendon in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarter-finals against the Vancouver Canucks on April 15.
"While the surgery was anticipated since the injury occurred, Bryan wanted to play as long as possible before time ran out to complete the procedure appropriately," Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry said in a release Monday.
It's expected the 28-year-old will need 6-8 weeks to properly heal the injury.
Bickell has been effective in the playoffs, scoring two goals and two assists in five games, including a goal in Chicago's 4-3 overtime victory in Game 6 on Sunday night.
His physical style of play has also irritated the Canucks.
Earlier Monday, Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis complained that Bickell was not called for a penalty after a hit he put on defenceman Kevin Bieksa in Sunday's game.