Defenseman Dan Boyle underwent a 60-minute procedure at Tampa's University Community Hospital to reconnect the tendons that were severed in his left forearm Saturday night when a skate he was trying to hang above his locker after a 2-1 loss to the Capitals fell and cut his arm.

"Everything couldn't have gone any better,'' said Ira Guttentag, the Lightning's medical director. "We had a nice repair of the tendons.''

Notice he said tendons, plural. The team originally said Saturday Boyle's abductor tendon was cut, but Guttentag said the surgery showed two other tendons also was severed. Guttentag said those tendons are the ones you use to give the thumbs-up sign or when you are hitchhiking, or in Boyle's case stick-handling.

Guttentag, who assisted during the operation performed by hand specialist Richard Gray, said Boyle should be back in four to six weeks which means the earliest would be Oct. 21. Boyle will be put in a "dynamic'' splint on Tuesday, which will allow the thumb to move while keeping it protected. Rehab also will start Tuesday. Guttentag said Boyle can start skating at any time.

Guttentag said he expects a full recovery with no limitations.