DALLAS -- Dallas Stars defenseman Richard Matvichuk broke a bone in his left leg Saturday and will be out four-to-six weeks.

Matvichuk dropped to the ice to block a shot by Colorado's Derek Morris in the second period of Dallas' 6-3 victory. The puck cracked the bone.

Matvichuk had to be helped off the ice with what was originally called an injured ankle. He left the arena with his leg immobilized by a boot and using crutches. He'll be re-evaluated Sunday, but is not expected to need surgery.

"He'll certainly be missed," Stars coach Dave Tippett said.

Matvichuk has played all 46 games this season, but has no goals and three assists. He's a plus-seven and averages about 20 minutes per game.

The Stars are off for the next six days and have another weeklong layoff at the end of January and start of February for the All-Star game, so the number of games he misses might not be too bad.