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

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.

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