Guentzel Out 3-4 Weeks; Penguins Recall Three from Wilkes-Barre

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ longshot playoff prospects have taken a major hit, as left winger Jark Guentzel is expected to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks because of an unspecified upper-body injury.

He apparently was hurt during the third period of the Penguins’ 5-2 loss to Florida at PPG Paints Arena Wednesday night and has been placed on injured-reserve.

Although the Penguins’ announcement about his injury did not specify, Guentzel apparently is on the Long-Term Injured list, because the Penguins, who had limited salary-cap space, also have recalled forwards Jonathan Gruden, Valtteri Puustinen and Vinnie Hinostroza from their farm team in Wilkes-Barre.

Coach Mike Sullivan said the players recalled will be available when the Penguins face Chicago tonight at 8:38 Eastern at the United Center.

The Penguins are projecting that Guentzel will return in “early March.” If he is on LTIR, he will have to sit out at least 10 games and 24 days, which means he would not be able to play until March 10, a home game against Edmonton.

That will be two days after the NHL trade deadline.