CuJo Out 6-8 Weeks

NHL teams

He broke his hand after rolling over on his wrist with all his weight when his hand got caught in the mesh of the net in the third period against Carolina.

"I knew right away that something was wrong, that it was probably broken," Joseph said. "I went down and went to push myself up like I normally do. I put it back on the mesh and it gave way and snapped."

Joseph could miss the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but he hopes he would return before that.

"I got to think playoffs right now. You got to think you'll be back with a few games left, and be ready for the playoffs," Joseph said.

The Maple Leafs will now have to rely on the services of backup Corey Schwab.

"It's a bad break to say the least," said Toronto coach Pat Quinn. "Curtis is an important part of this team."

Joseph, playing his first game for Quinn since the Olympics, made 27 saves before leaving the game. Joseph started the Olympics as Team Canada's goalie but, after losing to Sweden, never played again. Quinn, Team Canada's coach, went with Martin Brodeur, who helped lead Canada to its first Olympic gold medal in 50 years.