Blackhawks' Sharp to sit out with injury

CHICAGO, March 22 (UPI) -- Forward Patrick Sharp, the Chicago Blackhawks' leading goal scorer, is out indefinitely with a sore knee, Coach Joel Quenneville said Tuesday.

Quenneville said he hopes Sharp will be back before the end of the regular season. The Blackhawks are tied with Nashville for sixth place in the Western Conference with 86 points, just one point ahead of Anaheim, Dallas and Calgary.

Sharp, 29, was hurt Sunday in a knee-on-knee collision with Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Rostislav Klesla.

Sharp's 34 goals lead the team and rank him fifth in the league. His 68 points are second in the club behind Jonathan Toews' 72.