NEW YORK, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The Daily News reported Sunday that New York Rangers left wing Pavel Bure tore his left ACL midway through the second period of Friday's 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Bure left Friday's game and did not return, but the Rangers would not confirm the report, saying only that an MRI taken Saturday remains inconclusive.
The team did issue a statement Sunday saying that Bure suffered a torn medial meniscus in his left knee and a Grade I MCL sprain. The Rangers said Bure's estimated return will be determined after he undergoes an arthroscopic procedure at a future date.
Bure tore cartilage in his right knee during a preseason game with the New Jersey Devils and underwent surgery on Sept. 26.
After a slow start, Bure had scored five goals in three games entering Friday's contests, giving him a team-high 14. He is third on the club in scoring with 21 points.
The Rangers, who also are without defenseman Brian Leetch and left wing Matthew Barnaby, had gone 8-4-2-1 to climb back to .500 prior to Friday's loss.
Leetch is sidelined with a bruised left ankle, while Barnaby is nursing a mild MCL sprain.
