ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky is expected to miss at least a month with an injured right hand, coach Barry Trotz said Friday.
Trotz said Burakovsy, who has 11 goals and 18 assists this season, will not need surgery, but will be out until mid- to late-March.
The NHL playoffs begin April 12.
Burakovsky was hurt when he was hit by the puck while blocking a shot in the first period of the NHL-leading Capitals' 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.
Trotz said Burakovsky would be replaced as the third line's right wing against visiting Anaheim on Saturday by Zach Sanford, who was called up from Hershey of the AHL this week.