Losing Kings winger Marian Gaborik is a tough break for Team Europe

Kings and Team Europe winger Marian Gaborik played most of the World Cup of Hockey semifinal against Sweden on Sunday on a foot that had been fractured in at least one place when he was struck by a shot taken by teammate Mats Zuccarello.

Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi told The Times the injury was “bad,” and that the skillful Slovakian winger is expected to be out for eight weeks. That would put his possible return at the end of November, well into the NHL regular season.

Video shows Gaborik taking a shot on his right foot with less than one minute left in the first period of Team Europe’s eventual 3-2 semifinal victory over Sweden. Gaborik can be seen flexing his right leg as if in pain, but he finished his shift and played a total of 17 minutes and 58 seconds in the game.

His place in the lineup Tuesday for the opener of the best-of-three World Cup final will be taken by Mikkel Boedker of Denmark and the San Jose Sharks. Gaborik shared the Team Europe goal-scoring lead with two goals in four games.

Europe Coach Ralph Krueger said it will be difficult for his team to replace Gaborik. “We’re losing some leadership and some smarts on the puck that have really been exemplary for us. He got us going in Game 2,” Krueger said. “His character to play through the injury and score a goal against the Swedes is really part of the little pieces this group is made of. We’ve got Marian with us. It’s one of those that you take with you in the room and I think everyone is going to fight for filling that hole.”

Kings teammate Anze Kopitar, Team Europe’s captain, said he didn’t learn until Monday that Gaborik had been so badly injured.

“I certainly didn’t think of that, once he got hit by a puck. He played the rest of the game and I can assume it wasn’t very comfortable,” Kopitar said. “I was surprised [Monday] morning first when I saw his foot and then when they told me what the deal is. It was kind of shocking.”

It had the same impact on the Kings. “It’s definitely not great news for the Kings because first of all, I thought Gabby had a strong showing here and I think he was playing really well. He was very motivated to play well,” Kopitar said. “So it’s kind of a blow for us in L.A.”

helene.elliott@latimes.com

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