WINNIPEG – Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine has been diagnosed with a concussion after being hit in Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
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It’s not known how many games Laine will miss. The 18-year-old will once again see doctors on Sunday.
“He will start the stages of recovery,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “We`ll wait until the symptoms subside before you start increasing the work load and get back on the ice.”
The NHL rookie scoring leader was injured in the third period of Saturday’s games in Buffalo, N.Y.. Laine was looking down at the puck when Sabres defenceman Jake McCabe levelled him with an open-ice hit. Laine appeared to hit the back of his head on the ice as he fell. He was down for several minutes before being helped to the dressing room. McCabe was not penalized for the hit.
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Laine has been a huge difference maker for the Jets this season. Winnipeg is 12-3 in games in which he has scored a goal compared to 7-20 in those he couldn’t find the back of the net. Laine leads the team with 21 goals and 16 assists in 42 games.
“The amount of goal’s he’s put up is huge for our team,” said Jets forward Mark Scheifele.
“He’s a guy where all it takes is one chance and we can be up in a game. Having a game breaker like that out is tough.”
Drew Stafford will move up to take Laine’s place alongside Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers.
Winnipeg (19-20-3) plays its next two games at home beginning with the Calgary Flames (22-18-2) on Monday.
– with files from The Associated Press
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