Sergei Gonchar out, Alex Goligoski in for Game 5

by Hooks Orpik on May 9, 2009 12:21 PM EDT in News

The Penguins have recalled defenseman Alex Goligoski from their farm team in Wilkes-Barre, and he is scheduled to be in the lineup for Game 5 of their second-round playoff series against Washington tonight at 7:08 p.m. at the Verizon Center.

There have been conflicting reports on Sergei Gonchar's status: Seth at Empty Netters linked to a place that said Gonchar could have returned for Game 4, but then Brooks Orpik said he saw Gonchar after the game and it "didn't look good".

Gonchar did at least make the trip with the team to Washington, albeit wearing some sort of knee brace. But reports of the extent of the injury, if known, are obviously not going to be released.

Which could be a good thing to not hear much...If Gonchar suffered a serious injury (which may not be apparent due to swelling) the team would probably announce it, since there's no point in delaying the inevitable.

So let's wait and see.

Goligoski did well for the Penguins, scoring 6 goals and 14 assists in 45 games with PIttsburgh. Without Gonchar the Penguins are going to rely on Goligoski, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin to quarterback the power-play.

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I knew the kid was an NHL cabler D-man. It just sucks that he’s getting his chance because of this injury to Gonch. Hope to see GoGo do well in game 6.

Lifes rough, wear a helment

by lambofgad on May 9, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

well

we were all speculating about who would jump in and dress. if this holds true, what does it say about phillipe boucher’s skill level and the trust danny b has in him

by oldtimehockey09 on May 9, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

I think the Pens want a left handed shot on the PP.

Plus it’s got to be a factor that Boucher has played a grand total of 3 games since January 30th. Goligoski is in game shape and playoff form.

by Hooks Orpik on May 9, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m still wondering if maybe the Pens will dress both Boucher and Gogo and have them split Gonchar’s ice time. Obviously this means they’d have to scratch a forward somewhere but two fresh sets of legs on D isn’t a bad idea in the second game of a back-to-back.

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by FrankD on May 9, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

very good point. however every forward had a darn good game last night. you could sit one and cycle gogo or bouch between fourth line fwd and d

by oldtimehockey09 on May 9, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

go gogo go

by oldtimehockey09 on May 9, 2009 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

Update

Gonchar is a game-time decision

“We evaluated him and continue to evaluate him,” Bylsma said. “It’s more or less how he’s going to respond. The swelling has not been significant but it’s going to be day-to-day, game-time (decision) for Sergei. He’s not doing as bad as we thought and it will be game-time as far as our decisions with our lineup.”

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by FrankD on May 9, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

that is the best news i read all day. Even if he isn’t ready tonight, maybe game 6

Lifes rough, wear a helment

by lambofgad on May 9, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Heck I’ll be a lot less angry if he can come back next year. I would just hate to see a career ended on a questionable hit.

by PensFan024 on May 9, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

That is exactly what I was thinking! Scratch Adams and replace his PK minutes with Kennedy and even throw Malkin and Crosby in there for the waining seconds.

Dress 7 d-men and cycle Boucher and Gogo with Orpik. Putting Boucher in there also gives the Pens a viable d-man for the second powerplay.

PP 1
Guerin-Crosby-Satan with Letang and Malkin on the points

PP 2
Kunitz-Stall-Kennedy with Gogo and Boucher on the points

Life is about one simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying

by Dr Tre on May 9, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

So if Gooch plays how effective is he really going to be? Do they just dress him to be a PP specialist? I don’t see there being any way he can skate 27 minutes on that knee right now.

by Rob Parker on May 9, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

if hes boarder line i would much rather see him sit this one out to let it heal up a bit. both teams can say its a “must win” but going down 3-2 isnt the end of the world

by oldtimehockey09 on May 9, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Bylsma has more or less hinted that if Gonchar is dressed he’ll carry seven defensemen as a security measure (probably also to compensate for cutting Gonch’s minutes). If he’s strictly used in power play situations I say definitely do it. Malkin can crank one hell of a shot from the point but his experience controlling passes back to the point and just manning the blue line in general doesn’t even come close to the expertise that Gonchar has developed over the years.

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by FrankD on May 9, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

That makes sense. How much ice does your 4th line get? It seems like you could double shift Malkin and/or Crosby and make up for the ice that you lose by sitting a forward.

by Rob Parker on May 9, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess it all depends. Some of the fourth liners are also on the PK, but I guess we could say 8-12 minutes is a nice round about number. I could see them scratching a guy like Kennedy or Dupuis. Neither have really done much this series. Dupuis only had 7 minutes the other night, the least of all Pens skaters.

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by FrankD on May 9, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

if that knee is as weak as it should be, sit him. if he puts weight on it wrong, turns wrong, gives it away at the point, or has to chase a play down he could screw it up for good. too much risk not enough reward

by oldtimehockey09 on May 9, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

GOLO GOAL!

Well, as much as I love having a solid blue line guy like Gonch out there, Alex played great, like a mini Gonchar, in the times he was up.

I think he’ll be a focal point to watch. Bet the Caps will try and pick on him all night to see how he’s adjusting to the sheer speed and ferocity of this series. I’ll expect him to do a darn good job. :fingers crossed:

PensBurgh penalty - Lavender - 2 minutes for hijynxing.

by Lavender on May 9, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions