Penguins' Gonchar returns to practice

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CANONSBURG, Pa. -- Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar has returned to practice and hopes to play in the Eastern Conference finals opener Monday.

Gonchar

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, Chris Minard and Jeff Taffe, defenseman Ben Lovejoy, and goalie John Curry from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

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