Penguins’ Gonchar returns to practice
CANONSBURG, PA.(AP) —Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar(notes) has returned to practice and hopes to play in the Eastern Conference finals opener Monday.
Gonchar sat out Games 5 and 6 of the conference semifinals against Washington after injuring his right knee while being hit by Alex Ovechkin in Game 4. He unexpectedly returned for Game 7 on Wednesday, but his playing time was reduced, and he had not skated until practicing Sunday.
“It looks promising,” said Gonchar, who missed three-quarters of the regular season due to a shoulder injury.
The Penguins recalled forwards Dustin Jeffrey(notes), Chris Minard(notes) and Jeff Taffe(notes), defenseman Ben Lovejoy(notes), and goalie John Curry(notes) from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.
