In just three seasons, Sergei Gonchar has already become one of the most prolific defenseman in Penguins history. His 190 career points in a Penguins sweater is the fifth-total in the franchises' history among defenseman.

His career playoff numbers are almost as impressive. Assuming he records at least three more points this postseason, he'll have the third most points among Penguins defensemen. Not too shabby considering the top two names on the list are hall-of-famers.

Player	Games	Goals	Assists	Points
Larry Murphy	74	15	57	72
Paul Coffey	23	4	22	26
Ulf Samuelsson	66	4	12	16
Sergei Zubov	18	1	14	15
Randy Carlyle	22	6	8	14
Sergei Gonchar	18	2	12	14
Ron Stackhouse	32	5	8	13
Jiri Slegr	29	3	10	13
Paul Stanton	44	2	10	12
Janne Laukkanen	29	4	6	10
Andrew Ference	18	3	7	10
J.J. Daigneault	17	1	9	10

On second thought, after seeing names like Paul Stanton and Janne Laukkanen on that list, maybe being on it isn't that impressive of an accomplishment.

EMPTY NETTER ASSISTS

Playoff Stuff

Eastern Conference

Penguins-Flyers

-The Penguins are home again.

-Michel Therrien made a mistake by putting Sidney Crosby and company out on the ice at the end of Game 4.

-Bob Smizik says the Malkin-Malone-Sykora line needs to get things going again.

-Kimmo Timonen expects to return to the lineup in Game 5.

-How are you liking those Versus announcers? Vote on it here.

-The Penguins want to keep their record at Mellona Arena perfect.

-Even if Timonen or Braydon Coburn return, the Flyers might find a way to keep Ryan Parent in the lineup.

-Mike Richards sort of explained why he slashed Crosby at the end of Game 4.

-Pittsburgh's television ratings are the best among the final four markets.

-Michel Therrien held a press conference yesterday. Kukla's Korner has the transcript. Click here for John Stevens.

-Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov is pulling for fellow Russians Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin but he thinks the Red Wings will win the Stanley Cup.

-Did Penguins fans snatch up all those Stanley Cup tickets already in Detroit?

-Doubt About It weighed in all this "Versus-Being-Flyers-Cheerleaders" business.

-Sidney Crosby needs to shave.

Western Conference

Red Wings-Stars

-The NHL announced NBC's "the NHL isn't as important as The Preakness" contingency plan for Game 5.

-Even if they're down 3-1, the Stars are trying to enjoy the moment.

-If Dallas wants to stay alive, they need to strike early in Game 5.

-Stars forward Brad Richards has preformed well in the playoffs.

-Some of the Stars' veterans want to party like it's 1999.

-Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom keeps his team composed.

-Tomas Holmstrom isn't going anywhere other than the front of the net.

-Holmstrom is no Jennifer Lopez.

-Like the Penguins, the Red Wings haven't lost at home this postseason either.

-Since Johan Franzen's been hurt, Detroit hasn't gotten too much secondary scoring.

-The Red Wings could use a healthy Franzen.

-Is Stars goaltender Marty Turco better than his counterpart in Detroit, Chris Osgood?

-Dallas forward Mike Ribeiro is looking for some space.

-Assuming the Penguins head to Detroit for the Stanley Cup final, you may want to stock up on Kevlar if you plan on going out for a drink or two.

AHL

-Could Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Alain Nasreddine play in Germany next season?

-Penguins forward Jonathan Filewich is healthy again.

-The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have their own YouTube Channel. Here's their latest video:

(Kudos to EN reader Maureen Finnerty Courtright with the heads up.)

Non-Playoff Stuff

IIHF World Championships

-In the semifinals of the World Championships, Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for Russia in a 4-0 shutout of Finland.

-Capitals defenseman Mike Green had a goal and two assists for Canada which held off Sweden, 5-4.

Southeast Division

-Today's Sign The NHL Doesn't Get It: Despite missing the playoffs the past two seasons, and suffering a decrease in attendance last season, the Hurricanes are raising their ticket prices.

-Carolina coach Peter Laviolette isn't going anywhere.

Central Division

-The NHL approved the new contract for Predators forward Martin Erat. Are we missing something there? $31 million over seven years for Martin Erat?

Northwest Division

-Don't plan on buying that Alexei Yashin Minnesota Wild jersey anytime soon.