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Blackhawks defenseman Alexander Karpovtsev, who leads the NHL in blocked shots with 191, underwent surgery Thursday after a magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed slightly torn cartilage in his left knee.

“It’s minor surgery,” coach Brian Sutter said. “He could be back on the ice in a couple of days. His knee just locked up on him when he was sitting down in the dressing room before the game Wednesday night. It scared us at the time. . . . Fortunately, it didn’t turn out to be anything major.”

Karpovtsev will miss Friday’s game in St. Louis and Sunday’s home game against Calgary. Sutter might have him available for game-day skating on the road next week but probably will hold him out of the lineup next week.