Nov 19
D Sergei Gonchar returned Thursday after missing 12 games with a broken left wrist. Gonchar played more than 25 minutes in a loss at Ottawa. The Penguins' defense corps, hit hard by injuries since Gonchar was hurt Oct. 20, could get D Brooks Orpik back for a game Saturday at Atlanta. D Jay McKee is out at least two weeks with an infected finger, and D Alex Goligoski is out at least two weeks with a lower body injury. Also, D Kris Letang has returned to practice in a non-contact capacity after he was injured at San Jose on Nov. 7. Letang has a right shoulder injury. The Penguins are playing with three AHL regulars on defense: Deryk Engelland, Nate Guenin and Ben Lovejoy.
Nov 19
Gonchar (wrist) will return to the lineup Thursday night in Ottawa, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Recommendation: Gonchar has missed the Pens' last 12 contests. His presence will surely help out at both ends of the ice, particularly on the power play. Activate him immediately.
