Edmonton Oilers center Shawn Horcoff could be sidelined for awhile after suffering a broken knuckle during Monday's game against Vancouver.

Horcoff was hurt while blocking a shot in the second period of Edmonton's 3-2 overtime loss. He had just returned to the lineup after missing two games with a neck strain.

Oilers coach Ralph Krueger said the team's captain could be out "long-term."

"It's not an injury that's due to some kind of contact," Krueger said. "He was just playing hockey, blocking a shot."

Horcoff has a goal and one assist in seven games this season. The 34-year-old veteran has posted 156 goals and 437 points in 771 games over 12 NHL seasons, all with the Oilers.