Penguins RW Patric Hornqvist is struggling since returning from a concussion: Zero points in 12 games. He's got 15 goals and 11 assists in 45 games, and those numbers turn more meager by the game.
Hornqvist deserves everyone's respect and patience.
Hornqvist also deserves better linemates than he's had lately, though that agenda gets harder to push when Hornqvist keeps putting up zeroes and Bryan Rust keeps adding to his career-high 16 goals skating on Sidney Crosby's RW.
But one thing Hornqvist doesn't deserve is to be on the No. 1 power play.
Hornqvist has long been a staple of that unit because of his acumen as a net-front presence. But, despite his comparatively minute stature, Jake Guentzel's craft and hands have made him equally useful in that spot, if not more so.
Hornqvist has four goals and six points on the power play, and that's playing mostly on the first unit. Guentzel has three goals and seven points on the power play while operating mostly on the second PP.
Guentzel also leads the Penguins in goals with 28.
Making this switch should be an easy choice for Coach Mike Sullivan.
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