Capitals defenseman Vincent Desharnais out 4-6 weeks after appendectomy

• Vincent Desharnais, a 30-year-old defenseman for the Washington Capitals, had an appendectomy.
• Desharnais is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.
• The surgery was successful and he had his appendix removed on Thursday.
• Desharnais is nine games into his first season with the Capitals, having signed a four-year, $16.8 million contract.
• He has recorded three assists and is averaging more than a certain number of minutes per game.