Stars’ John Klingberg out at least 3 weeks with upper-body injury

Dallas Stars' John Klingberg appears to be in some pain after an Evander Kane shot rides up his stick and hits him in the hand, he would leave the game.

Dallas Stars defenceman John Klingberg will be out for at least three weeks with an upper-body injury, the team announced after Thursday’s 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks.

Klingberg left the game in the third period after blocking a shot and didn’t return. Head coach Jim Montgomery said the team will know more about the injury Friday after Klingberg sees a doctor.

The 26-year-old joins a long list of Stars blue liners already sidelined by injuries. Marc Methot has been in and out of the lineup with a lower-body injury, Connor Carrick hasn’t played yet this month with an ankle injury and Stephen Johns has yet to appear in a game this season with a head injury.

Klingberg has been the No. 1 defenceman on the Stars since breaking into the league in 2014 and this season has been no different. The Swede has five goals and 13 points in 15 games, and leads the team in ice time with 25:03 per game.

His injury will open the door for Miro Heiskanen, the third-overall pick in 2017, who as a rookie is already skating 22:16.

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