Patric Hornqvist diagnosed with concussion

For the second time this season, Penguins forward and regular goaltender nuisance Patric Hornqvist has been diagnosed with a concussion, according to team officials. The news was released on Thursday evening following the team’s workout in California where they are set to begin a five game road trip tomorrow night.

The injury occurred during the first period of Tuesday night’s victory over the Florida Panthers where Hornqvist took a puck to the face that forced him to the locker room. He did not return following the incident.

Following the team’s practice on Thursday, head coach Mike Sullivan expressed concern for Hornqvist as he deals with the second concussion of this season. “We’re always concerned when one of our players gets a concussion. We’re concerned for the player, and the nature of concussions, as we all know, is they’re all very different,” said Sullivan.

Assuming he does not play against the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow night, this will be the third time this season Hornqvist has missed time due to injury. Besides the previously mentioned first concussion, Hornqvist missed six games to an upper-body injury last month.

During the team’s practice this afternoon, the Penguins did give any indication on who may replace Hornqvist spot in the lineup but fellow forward Jake Guentzel was filling in on the Penguins top power play unit.

No timetable was given for Hornqvist to return.

In other injury news, Mike Sullivan confirmed Zach-Aston Reese will miss extended time recovering from an upper-body injury suffered against the Panthers. Aston-Reese was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and Garrett Wilson was called up to fill the roster vacancy.