Faceoff Factor

Penguin Roundup - June 4

Justin Maffei | National Hockey League

Jun 4, 07:57 AM | Hype this story!

Gonchar and Malone
Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Malone were both injured in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Gonchar injured his back while crashing awkwardly into the boards. Malone took a Hal Gill slapshot off of his already broken nose. Malone returned to the game not long after his injury and Gonchar was on the ice for the Penguins game-winning goal. Both are expected to play in Game 5 tonight.

Sykora the Psychic
Petr Sykora called his shot . . . or did he? Apparently, he was just saying it as a bit of a joke to get the locker room and himself to loosen up a bit. Not quite so funny when you consider that Sykora had gone 8 games without a goal. Perhaps this is just what he needed, however. Sykora explained, “I didn’t feel I was going to score, but just to get a little looser out there and make a comment like that, give the guys a little laugh in the locker room. And I’m not complaining that it worked.”

Gogo Gone
Alex Goligoski was returned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday. He was an emergency recall on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ AHL affiliate are also in the playoff finals and will benefit from the return of Goligoski.

Whiteout Planned; Outdoor Screen May Be Rained Out
The Penguins again planned a whiteout for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Fans will be given white T-shirts and towels upon entering the game. The giant screen outside Mellon Arena will be available for fans to watch, but will be shut off if there is inclement weather.