The Edmonton Oilers expect to miss their captain for an extended period of time.

Oilers head coach Ralph Kruger announced that forward Shawn Horcoff suffered a broken knuckle after blocking a shot with his hand late in the second period of Monday night’s 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

“It got pushed right in,” Krueger told reporters Monday. “That’ll be long-term… He was just playing hockey, blocking a shot. We’re going to have to regroup quickly.”

Coach Krueger says captain Shawn Horcoff is out long-term after breaking his knuckle blocking a shot late in the 2nd period

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 5, 2013

It remains unclear how long Horcoff will be out of the lineup.

The Oilers are shorthanded at the centre position as Eric Belanger was placed on the injured reserve Feb. 3.

The 34-year-old Horcoff has scored one goal and one assist and has a minus-2 rating in seven games with the Oilers this season.