Sizzling Penguins welcome back Straka for road trip
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Already buoyed by a four-game winning streak, the Penguins begin a road trip this week with Martin Straka prepared to return to the ice for the first time since March. Straka, who has been sidelined with a string of injuries, is expected to play in his first game since March 7 on Wednesday, when Pittsburgh visits the Florida Panthers. The Penguins are beginning a three-game road trip that includes stops in Tampa Bay on Friday and Raleigh, N.C., on Saturday.
“Marty’s been working hard in practice, and he’s ready to go,” Penguins coach Rick Kehoe said Monday. “He’ll be on a regular shift, and we’ll get him on one of the power plays, probably the second one for now. He’ll get his ice time.”
For now at least, Kehoe plans to use Straka between Jan Hrdina and Alexandre Daigle on the second line. Kris Beech, who had been in the spot, was sent to the minor leagues Sunday to make room for Straka.
“I just want to get back out there,” Straka said. “I’ll take anything.”
Straka can expect to see about 15 to 20 minutes of ice time Wednesday, if all goes according to Kehoe’s plan.
At 7-2-2, the Penguins are off to their best start since the lockout-shortened season of 1994-95. That success might make some teams reluctant to change the lineup, but Pittsburgh is willing to make an exception for Straka, figuring his speed and hands should enhance an offense that has scored the third-most goals (40) in the Eastern Conference.
“I expect him to play very well right off the bat,” said Penguins star and owner Mario Lemieux.
Two years ago, Straka tied for fourth in the NHL in scoring with 95 points, but a repeat performance last year was ruined when he broke his right tibia Oct. 28 in a game against Florida.
He returned 47 games later but was forced to leave in his first game back when his teammate, goaltender Johan Hedberg, accidentally clipped him with a high stick, fracturing his orbital bone.
Five games later, on March 7 against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes, Straka tried another comeback, but he re-cracked the tibia and spent the final 18 games on injured reserve. Then, as Straka was getting ready to skate again in July of this year, he injured a vertebra and damaged a back ligament in a weightlifting accident.
A month ago, Straka – who did not need surgery for the injuries suffered in the weightlifting accident – got medical clearance to begin practicing. As the Penguins prepared to leave for Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Monday, Straka said he couldn’t wait to take the ice again.
“That’s all I’ve been thinking about,” he said.
NOTES: Defenseman Josef Melichar (dislocated shoulder) also could return to the lineup Wednesday. … Forward Randy Robitaille (cracked bone, right foot), winger Shean Donovan (bruised knee) and defenseman Andrew Ference (abdominal surgery) did not make the trip. … The Penguins are expected to buy out the contract of forward Vladimir Vujtek early this week.