Lightning C Lecavalier undergoes wrist surgery

Apr 3, 2009 - 7:18 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier underwent arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair damaged cartilage in his right wrist and will miss the final five games of the season.

The operation, performed by Dr. Lee Osterman at the Philadelphia Hand Center, went as expected without any complications. Lecavalier is expected to resume unrestricted training within four to six weeks.

The Lightning announced Thursday that the operation originally was scheduled for last summer but was delayed because Lecavalier needed shoulder surgery. He also had surgery on his left wrist two years ago.

"We feel that it is in both his and the team's best interest to have the wrist operated on now," Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton said. "Vinny has been battling this injury all season and I really can't say enough about his ability to play through the pain and discomfort."

Despite the injury, Lecavalier has scored a team-high 29 goals this season while ranking second on the club in scoring with 67 points. He will sit out his first game of the campaign Friday when Tampa Bay visits New Jersey.