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Lightning’s Malone (ankle) out 3-4 weeks

Predators Lightning Hockey

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ryan Malone (12) during the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game against the Nashville Predators Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

AP

The Tampa Bay Lightning received more bad injury news on Tuesday, as GM Steve Yzerman estimates Ryan Malone will miss three-to-four weeks with a fractured (non-displaced) ankle, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Malone, 34, suffered the injury when he was hit by a puck in a Nov. 22 game against the Anaheim Ducks.

It’s been that kind of month (or so) for the Lightning, as Malone joins Steve Stamkos (out months) and Radko Gudas (day-to-day) as the most noteworthy injured players (unless you count virtually retired defenseman Mattias Ohlund, too).

Malone isn’t the most reliable scorer - just two points in his last 11 games - but he combines at least the possibility of offensive contributions with a lot of grit in a large frame.

The Lightning have been scratching and clawing with Stamkos & Co. injured. They’ll have to keep doing that with a depleted roster for quite some time.

(H/T to Rotoworld.)

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins