"It's hard to replace [Hornqvist's] energy, I'll tell you that," Sullivan said. "He brings so much energy to our dressing room, to the bench. It's not quite as vocal when he's not around. … This game is rooted in emotion. It's about passion and it's about a will to win. If you're not emotionally invested it's hard to be at your best. I think [Hornqvist] might epitomize that. So we've got to make sure we have to bring the same level of emotion."
Hornqvist has 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) in 49 games and is the net-front presence on Pittsburgh's top power-play unit. His nine power-play goals are tied with Phil Kessel for second on the Penguins, behind Evgeni Malkin's 13.
Forward Tom Kuhnhackl practiced in Hornqvist's spot at second-line right wing Monday, with Malkin and left wing Carl Hagelin. Rookie forward Zachary Aston-Reese was in Kuhnhackl's spot at fourth-line left wing.
Sullivan said he does not anticipate a drop-off with Hornqvist out. They Penguins play the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SN1, SNE, SNO, TVA Sports, ATTSN-PT, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV).
"We expect more of the same," he said. "We expect them to step up and play the game that they play that helps us win. These guys are in the dressing room, they're on this roster for a reason, because they bring certain strengths to the table. … There's versatility to their game. So we have the ability to move them up and down the lineup and that's part of what has earned them the opportunity to play for our team.
"When players go down, it's never an easy thing. It's hard to replace some of these guys. They're good players. But every team goes through it. It always provides opportunity."
