CALGARY -- While his teammates flew to Washington on Sunday to continue a six-game road trip, Kevin Bieksa flew back to Vancouver to have his injured left knee further evaluated.

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The Canucks defenceman had an MRI [magnetic resonance image] on Sunday to assess how long he'll be sidelined following a first-period collision Saturday with Wayne Primeau.

In what appeared to be a harmless play during a 5-4 overtime victory over the Calgary Flames, Bieksa hustled back into his own zone during a Canucks power play before awkwardly throwing a shoulder into Primeau. Bieksa's left leg buckled under him and he went to the bench favouring his knee.

Bieksa, who played just 2:43 and was a minus-2, tested the knee on another shift before calling it a night. He seemed at a loss to explain the injury, but believes Primeau's stick may have played a role.

"I don't know what his intentions were, but he threw his stick in there," said Bieksa. "He saw me coming and I don't know if he was trying to throw a shoulder up and his stick kind of went with it. But the stick was kind of the thing that pushed my knee to the outside.

"I don't know if that caused it [injury] or the way that I hit the ice afterwards."

Bieksa's knee is swollen and sore and he's walking with a limp. However, the blueliner didn't want to speculate about the injury until he has the MRI and gets clearance from the Canucks training staff as to the proper rehab.

"I have to see what movements are affecting me and right now it's tough to say," added Bieksa. "But it's not as bad as I thought it would be and hopefully I can meet the guys on the road."

The Canucks look to improve to 3-0 today in Washington and Bieksa's spot in the lineup will likely be taken by Rob Davison.

After trying to walk off the injury, Bieksa knew he had a problem when he tried to get through another shift. It wasn't so much bearing the weight, it was trying to make all the right moves.

"[Daymond] Langkow took the puck wide and with pivoting and turning, it just wasn't there," said Bieksa.

"When I tried to stop on the button, it felt a little loose. That's when I said: 'I can't play tonight.'"

The last time Bieksa came out on the wrong end of an odd play was Nov. 1 at GM Place. He was sidelined for 47 games after his right calf was sliced by the skate of Nashville forward Vernon Fiddler in a puck battle.

bkuzma@theprovince.com