Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne will miss the next three to five weeks with a sprained knee, the team announced.
The Predators initially announced Rinne would miss the team's next three games as well as the Jan. 25 All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio, because of the injury but updated the time he would miss later Thursday after the Finnish goaltender met with the team doctor.
Rinne now is expected to miss a minimum of 10 games and possibly up to 18 if he's out a full five weeks.
The 32-year-old Finnish netminder has been spectacular in the first half of the season for the Central Division-leading Predators, putting together an impressive campaign that many feel has him set as the front-runner for the Vezina Trophy.
"It's a setback, but we'll get over it as a team," coach Peter Laviolette said. "He'll get over it as a person, and he'll jump back in there."
Rinne, who was limited to 24 games last season because of injury, leads the league with 29 wins and ranks second in both save percentage (.931) and goals-against average (1.96). His stellar play has placed his name in the Hart Trophy conversation as league MVP, as well.
He sustained the knee injury in Tuesday's 5-1 win over Vancouver after a third-period collision. Carter Hutton replaced Rinne in goal.
"Obviously it hurts losing Peks, but at the same time I think everyone in this room is confident in me, and I'm confident in myself to get in there," Hutton said.
Rinne's status means that the NHL will be forced to name two injury replacements at goaltender for the All-Star Game.
Detroit's Jimmy Howard has also been ruled out of the All-Star Game with a "slight groin tear," according to Red Wings general manager Ken Holland. Howard was placed on injured reserve on Sunday.
The Islanders' Jaroslav Halak and Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury will replace Rinne and Howard in Columbus next weekend.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.