Golden Knights’ Max Pacioretty placed on IR
The Golden Knights placed left wing Max Pacioretty on the injured reserve list Wednesday and recalled forward Brandon Pirri from Chicago of the American Hockey League.
Pacioretty was hurt midway through the second period of Monday’s 1-0 loss at Columbus.
Video replays showed his right skate collided with the Blue Jackets’ Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Pacioretty’s left leg took the brunt of the force up high, leaving it in an awkward position at the end of the play.
Golden Knights place Max Pacioretty on IR #VegasBorn https://t.co/CDfT9h1Lue
— David Schoen ??? (@DavidSchoenLVRJ) December 19, 2018
Coach Gerard Gallant did not provide an update on Pacioretty’s status following practice.
Pacioretty was not on the ice for practice Wednesday at City National Arena, and Pirri skated in Pacioretty’s spot on the second line with center Paul Stastny and right wing Alex Tuch.
By going on IR, Pacioretty will miss a minimum of the next three games — the Knights take on the Canadiens, his former team, on Saturday — and he is not eligible to return until Dec. 27 against Colorado.
Pacioretty has 10 goals and nine assists in 30 games.
The team officially announced Pirri’s recall Wednesday after practice.
Little Wednesday morning transaction for ya ?
Brandon Pirri has been recalled from the @Chicago_Wolves ?https://t.co/Sl9mYXDSjl
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) December 19, 2018
Pirri leads the AHL with 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 28 games with the Wolves.
He earned a call-up by the Knights late last season and netted three goals in two games, including a two-goal effort in the Knights’ 5-4 shootout victory at Vancouver on April 3.
Pirri, 27, was a second-round pick by Chicago in 2009. His best season came with Florida in 2014-15 when he tallied 22 goals in 49 games under coach Gerard Gallant.
In 228 career NHL games with Chicago, Florida, Anaheim, the New York Rangers and the Knights, Pirri has 60 goals and 41 assists.
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Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.