Montreal Canadiens forward Chris Kreider expected to miss up to 8 weeks with lower-body injury

Montreal Canadiens forward Chris Kreider is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury, the team announced Saturday.

Kreider exited Thursday's 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins in the third period after Michael Eyssimont fell in the neutral zone and slid into the veteran winger's legs.

Kreider fell to the ice, then helped himself up and hobbled down the tunnel without putting weight on his left leg.

The Canadiens signed Kreider to a one-year, $2.15-million US contract (with up to $3.25 million in bonuses) on Sept. 12, days after the Anaheim Ducks bought out his contract amid salary-cap constraints.

The 35-year-old American has three goals and six assists in 19 games this season, his 15th in the NHL.

Florian Xhekaj was expected to replace Kreider in the lineup as the Canadiens host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.