Henrik Lundqvist has vascular injury

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvistwill be out of action for at least three weeks, the result of a vascular injury suffered when he was struck in the neck by a puck last weekend.

The Rangers made the announcement Friday.

"We have been conferring with leading medical experts to ensure the best possible care," the team said in a statement. "Henrik will remain sidelined at least three weeks, until he is re-evaluated and we have completed the process of conferring with the medical experts."

With backupCam Talbot in goal for Lundqvist on Thursday, the Rangers beat theBoston Bruins3-2. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said after that game that Talbot would start Saturday if Lundqvist was unavailable.

Lundqvist was struck byCarolina Hurricanescenter Brad Malone's shot in the second period of last Saturday's game after Rangers defensemanRyan McDonagh's stick pushed up Lundqvist's mask. He shook that off, stopped 31 shots overall, and led the Rangers to a 4-1 win.

Lundqvist also played in Monday's game, stopping 33 shots in a 6-3 win over theFlorida Panthers. It was Lundqvist's 334th victory, 20th best in NHL history.

The Rangers are 30-15-4 and in third place in the strong Metropolitan Division, and sixth overall in the Eastern Conference.