Stephane Robidas injury: Stars lose defenseman for 4-6 months with leg fracture

The Dallas Stars just took a crushing blow in their quest to make the playoffs, as veteran defenseman Stephane Robidas is out 4-6 months with a leg fracture.

In response, the Stars have recalled Jamie Oleksiak from the Texas Stars of the AHL.

Robidas was injured when he slid awkwardly into the boards midway through the Stars' game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. He lost an edge pursuing Jonathan Toews around the Dallas net, spinning and jamming his right leg awkwardly into the boards. He writhed on the ice in pain for a few minutes before being helped off the ice on a stretcher. Robidas had surgery at 2 a.m. Saturday.

The loss is a devastating one for both Robidas and the Stars. Robidas is 36 years old, and there's no telling how a leg fracture could affect a player that late in his career. Robidas was among the Stars' leaders in ice time and hits, and is generally a stabilizing presence on a young and mostly inexperienced blueline. The young Oleksiak will now battle Kevin Connauton for playing time in Robidas' absence.

Here's video of the injury for those who don't grimace easily.

More from SB Nation NHL:

Follow @SBNationNHL

• The Sabres unveil their awful third jerseys

• Sweden tops our Winter Olympic power rankings

• Can Ovechkin score 70?

• Devils going green for outdoor game