GoGo Next One To Be Shelved As Pens Prepare For Rematch Against The Ducks

I must admit ... I've been particulary concerned about my health lately.

I mean, I have this blog thing going where I write about the Pittsburgh Penguins, and since they currently have the karma of a black cat breaking a mirror as he walks under a ladder, I figure it's only a matter of time before the I go on the shelf with an injury that will keep me from blogging for ... oh ... about 2 weeks.

At this point, I'm sure they're missing various ushers, Penguin patrol girls, and even a season ticket sales agent or two, so it's only a matter of time before I get nailed.

I haven't seen an injury bug like this bite the Penguins in quite a long time, but not surprisingly, the injury list A-G-A-I-N grew today with word from head coach Dan Bylsma that defenseman Alex Goligoski would miss tonight's game with an unspecified lower body injury.

While details on the exact nature of the injury haven't been revealed, there has been talk in various internet circles that GoGo was favoring a groin and in obvious discomfort at the end of the big comeback win against the Bruins on Saturday evening.

Whatever the nature of the injury, Blysma suggested that #3 would likely be out of the lineup not just tonight but for probably (not surprisingly) about 2 weeks or so.

Losing Goligoski is a blow, because he's been great for the Penguins this year so far. He's near the top of the rankings among NHL defensemen in points and plus/minus, and has done a really good job acclimating himself to full-time duty in the league.

Losing him also won't help the abysmal Penguin power play, which after going scoreless on it's last near 30 opportunities, is now clicking at a terribly foul 12.3% conversion rate,

That's good for 3rd last in the NHL, folks.

Thus, even while the Penguins have the good fortune of getting defending Art Ross and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin back in the lineup, the Penguins offset that with the loss of another key regular.

Defenseman Nate Guenin was called up from Wilkes-Barre Scranton and will play tonight in the Penguins 2nd game in 2 weeks with the Anaheim Ducks, who the Penguins beat, 4-3, back on 11-3 in California.

With Sergie Gonchar, Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang and Goligoski on the shelf, the Pens' are now missing their top 4 blueliners, and that's difficult for any team -- even a defending Stanley Cup Champion -- to overcome.

For now, the Penguins just have to hope that they can tread water, stay somewhere around .500 during this stretch, and pray they start getting their key guys back soon.

At least it shouldn't be long. For example, Gonchar was cleared for contact yesterday, and may return this Saturday when the Pens' play the Thrashers in Atlanta.

Max Talbot continues to skate and may return next week.

Orpik, Letang, and Kunitz may return around the same time. Hopefully Kennedy will be fully recovered from his still-undisclosed problem by then, too.

More tomorrow. For now I have to go to the doctor ...