BOSTON (AP)- Joe Thornton, the Boston Bruins’ captain and leading scorer, underwent successful surgery Thursday to repair a small fracture to his right cheekbone, the team announced.

Thornton, injured Monday in an on-ice fight with Eric Lindros of the New York Rangers, was expected to be held overnight as a precaution.

The operation to stabilize the cheekbone was performed by Dr. Michael Yaremchuk at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Thornton will be out of action through Saturday’s game against Florida, after which his status will be day to day, O’Connell said.

Thornton, who has 44 points on 11 goals and 33 assists, practiced Wednesday wearing a full cage attached to his helmet to protect the cheekbone.

He missed Tuesday’s rematch with the Rangers in New York – the first game he has not played this season – and was to miss Thursday’s game against Buffalo.

AP-ES-01-22-04 1707EST