New York -- The Bruins may have handily defeated the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, but the Habs still left their mark on the Hub of Hockey – a mark that will last for at least for 6-8 weeks.

Defenseman Andrew Ference, who hobbled off the ice after being hit by a slapshot from Andrei Markov during the second period on Thursday, is officially out of the lineup due to a broken tibia, announced Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli this evening.

“He’s going to be out for a bit, but after the six weeks, we’ll see how he does,” Chiarelli said.  “He might come back a little bit earlier.”

Ference will have surgery to place a pin in his leg on Monday and begin the healing process. 

“He was playing very well,” said Chiarelli.  “I think we saw the true Andrew Ference, and he’s going to be hard to replace.”

The B’s, meanwhile, will hope for a speedy return and make use of defenseman Matt Hunwick. 

“[He’s] got a lot of characteristics of Andrew (in terms of) skating, moving the puck,” said Chiarelli.

Head coach Claude Julien spoke about the loss after morning skate, but before the announcement by Chiarelli.

“It’s an opportunity for Hunwick to get back in the lineup,” Julien said.  “Good clubs find ways to compensate for losses of good players.”

The Bruins may also look to Providence, and possibly Matt Lashoff, for help later on, Chiarelli said.