Coyotes' Stephen suffers injury, rested for 4-6 weeks

Arizona Coyotes forward Derek Stepan will miss four to six weeks due to a lower-body injury, the team confirmed Friday. Stepan suffered the injury during the Coyotes' 5-2 home win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. At 2:31 of the third period, the 28-year-old forward collided along the boards with Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher. Stepan clutched his left knee after dropping to the ice and was unable to put any pressure on the leg as he exited the ice and did not return.

He is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on the leg Friday, multiple sources reported. "He's been playing good hockey for us," head coach Rick Tocchet said following practice on Friday. "It's a big blow, but what I love about our team is we had a great practice today. (The players) weren't sombre... 'Next man up.' I know it's a corny statement, but for our team, it really matters."

Stepan, an alternate captain, has 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 64 games. He has 448 points (155 goals, 293 assists) in 661 games with the New York Rangers (2010-17) and Coyotes (2017-19). "He's a little down, but he said he wants to be an assistant coach for a little while," added Tocchet, who spoke to Stepan on Friday morning. "He's hired."

Arizona (31-28-5) has won five straight games and will host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.