Penguins Patric Hornqvist Out with Concussion

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist is out with a concussion per head coach Mike Sullivan.

Hornqvist, 31, suffered the injury late in the second period Friday night as Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller hit Hornqvist in the corner. Horqnvist was slow to rise and did not return for the third period. Sullivan did not have an update after the game last night. Hornqvist was evaluated today by the Penguins medical staff.

He had eight points in the last five games, including four goals and three multi-point games.

“He does so much for us,” said Sullivan. “The energy that he brings. His positive attitude and all of that stuff.

Hornqvist, from Sollentuna, Sweden is one of the Penguins emotional leaders and stridently predicted the Penguins turnaround in the midst of the Penguins winless slide, this month. In 21 games this season, Hornqvist has nine goals and six assists. He also averages nearly 16 minutes of ice time per game.

“He’s just a great teammate,” Sullivan said.

Hornqvist’s new five-year, $26.5 million contract began this season. Hornqvist famously scored the winning goal in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. He has 104 goals in 307 games as a Penguin.

The Penguins recalled Garrett Wilson, Saturday because forward Derek Grant is also injured. Sullivan termed Grant day-to-day, Friday and he is a game-time decision, Saturday. Even with a healthy Grant, the Penguins were down to 12 healthy forwards. Matt Cullen was placed on IR last week with a lower body injury. Goaltender Matt Murray was placed on IR, Thursday and Justin Schultz will be on IR until at least February or March as his broken leg heals.

The Penguins have earned points in three straight games (1-0-2) but have not beaten an Eastern Conference team since Toronto on Oct. 18 and have not beaten a Metro Division team since opening night, Oct. 4.