MONTREAL -- Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot could miss the rest of the regular season after undergoing surgery Monday for a fractured hand.

The operation was at Montreal General Hospital and he is expected to miss six to eight weeks, the team said before Monday's game in Winnipeg.

Chiarot was hurt last Wednesday when he fought Canucks forward J.T. Miller in the first period of Montreal's 5-1 win. Both players drew five-minute penalties and Chiarot did not return to the game.

Chiarot has one goal and four assists in 25 games. Last year, he had career-high 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 69 regular-season games.