Patric Hornqvist Being Evaluated After Injury In Practice

Penguins winger Patric Hornqvist was injured in practice on Monday as the team’s injury-plagued 2019-20 season continues with what could be another major loss.

Hornqvist suffered a lower-body injury after a fall in practice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex and is being evaluated, according to head coach Mike Sullivan.

“He’s being evaluated for a lower-body injury,” Sullivan said. “I don’t have an update other than that.”


Hornqvist also missed time earlier this season with a lower-body injury. In 20 games, he has six goals and five assists. Nine of his 11 points have come at even strength, where he has recently been slotted alongside Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin on the team’s top line.

If he misses time, he’ll be the 12th Penguins player to miss time with an injury this season.

“All we can do is control the controllables,” Sullivan said. “Some of this stuff is out of our control. Guys get hurt. It’s part of the game. Every team goes through it. We’re no different. We just have to make sure that we keep our mindset in the right place.”

Centers Sidney Crosby and Nick Bjugstad and defensemen Justin Schultz are currently on injured reserve. Brian Dumoulin is expected to miss two months after ankle surgery, but has not yet officially been placed on IR.

Additionally, winger Bryan Rust is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Sullivan said Monday that Schultz is close to returning to practice.

The Penguins practiced with just 11 fully healthy forwards on Monday, so they will need for Rust to return to action, to recall a forward from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, or to play with seven defenseman in Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Blues if Hornqvist is unable to play.