The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without their best defenseman for at least the next few weeks.

Victor Hedman will be out three-to-six weeks with the injury he sustained Thursday night against the Calgary Flames.

The veteran rearguard left the game after appearing to hurt his left leg in a collision with Flames forward Garnet Hathaway.

Hedman ranks third in points among all NHL blue-liners with 33 in 44 games.

He has played 25:36 per game this season, which ranks eighth in the league.