Staal sidelined with concussion

RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes announced Monday that center Jordan Staal has been diagnosed with a concussion and was placed on injured reserve. Forward Phil Di Giuseppe was recalled from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL to fill his open roster spot.Staal left during the first period of Sunday’s game against the Florida Panthers after playing just 2:54 and did not return. The 28-year-old alternate captain has five goals and four assists in 21 games this season, and he has been a fixture on both special teams units throughout the season.Hurricanes coach Bill Peters has often used Staal to kickstart other players this season, crediting the 6-foot-4, 220-pound center with helping the team gain possession (60.1 percent faceoff winning percentage, fourth in the NHL) and retain it. Staal’s concussion was the second suffered by a Hurricanes player in week. Last Monday, backup goalie Eddie Lack was injured at the end of the practice and was later diagnosed with a concussion.Di Giuseppe made the Hurricanes out of training camp but was reassigned to Charlotte Nov. 11 after registering no points in 11 games with Carolina. He had seven points (two goals, five assists) in eight games with the Checkers.The Hurricanes play at the New York Rangers Tuesday, the first of three games on the road this week.