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Gonchar plans to play in Game 1

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Sergei Gonchar isn't ready to guarantee that he will be able to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final tonight against Carolina at Mellon Arena. He's just awfully optimistic about it. Gonchar, who stayed off skates the previous three days, participated in an hour-long practice at Southpointe yesterday, and was upbeat about being in uniform for the opener. "It looks promising," he said. "I don't want to say anything [conclusive] right now, but there's a good chance." Gonchar missed Games 5 and 6 of the Penguins' second-round series against Washington after a knee-on-knee hit by Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkinin Game 4, but returned for Game 7 and assisted on the Penguins' first goal in a 6-2 victory.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sergei Gonchar, AP Sergei Gonchar, AP
May 18, 2009  08:30 AM ET

Pens could use him but it's not a critical game as of yet.

May 18, 2009  09:01 AM ET

I don't know, I think every game at this point is "critical." Carolina is going to be very difficult to beat, and if Gonchar says he is ready, put him out there. If for nothing else, his leadership and morale.

May 18, 2009  09:35 AM ET

Pitt is going to need all the help they can get. but good luck if he does come back because players remember which knee it was....

May 18, 2009  09:57 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Pitt is going to need all the help they can get. but good luck if he does come back because players remember which knee it was....

I don't believe Carolina plays that type of game, but if they do... I would think they saw how fired up Malkin was afterwards. He didn't appear on the score sheet, but he was all over the ice and hitting everything in site.

May 18, 2009  10:03 AM ET

It's the Conference Finals, the Gonch will be on the ice if he is able. Besides, everyone knows that in the NHL Playoffs, injuries and the status of players are kept more secure than Fort Knox.

May 18, 2009  10:40 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

I don't believe Carolina plays that type of game, but if they do... I would think they saw how fired up Malkin was afterwards. He didn't appear on the score sheet, but he was all over the ice and hitting everything in site.

i know malkin loves to hit and i feel he should do more, but you gotta watch how you go running around. could end up with some freak accident in which you land akward or something. i keep waiting for the day OV throws himself outa commission running around all reckless.

May 18, 2009  11:37 AM ET

his ice time will be limited. When Gonchar went out in the caps series, they used a 7 defensemen lineup and rotated wings on the 4 lines to make up for the missing forward. They stuck with that when Sarge came back into the lineup. My guess is they stay that way for this series.

May 18, 2009  11:38 AM ET

The Pens better realize that EVERY game is critical. Their power play is finally starting to come around, so we need Gonch in there as soon as possible, as often as possible.

May 18, 2009  11:45 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

I don't know, I think every game at this point is "critical." Carolina is going to be very difficult to beat, and if Gonchar says he is ready, put him out there. If for nothing else, his leadership and morale.

Exactamundo.

May 18, 2009  11:47 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

i know malkin loves to hit and i feel he should do more, but you gotta watch how you go running around. could end up with some freak accident in which you land akward or something. i keep waiting for the day OV throws himself outa commission running around all reckless.

If he continues, it will be in a few more years, then recurring injuries will set in. It's not the 1950s when they played 48 game schedules.

May 18, 2009  11:57 AM ET
QUOTE(#10):

If he continues, it will be in a few more years, then recurring injuries will set in. It's not the 1950s when they played 48 game schedules.

Geno or Ovie?

May 18, 2009  12:34 PM ET
QUOTE(#11):

Geno or Ovie?

Well, anyone, but I meant Ovechkin.

May 18, 2009  07:27 PM ET

I hope he plays and we stick beat him in his knee.....

May 19, 2009  12:01 AM ET

better hope the canes dont try and re injure gonchar

May 19, 2009  07:03 AM ET
QUOTE(#13):

I hope he plays and we stick beat him in his knee.....

After last night, I just hope your team plays.

May 19, 2009  07:59 AM ET
QUOTE(#13):

I hope he plays and we stick beat him in his knee.....

Sean Avery posts here? What, Vogue didn't want you back?

May 19, 2009  12:17 PM ET

How come no Pens fans crying about the Matt Cooke knee on Eric Cole?

May 19, 2009  09:40 PM ET

They flew malkin's mom back in to town and when ever she is in Pittsburgh he goes off ! They flew her in a couple times this season and he goes on tears and unbelievable scoring surges ! Keep her in town until the playoffs are over hopefully hoisting the cup !

 
May 19, 2009  09:41 PM ET

And yes they need Gonchar to win the Cup glad he's back !

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