Kennedy to be evaluated today in Pittsburgh; Tangradi expected to be added to playoff roster

-*Ottawa Senators defenseman Andy Sutton appears to have knocked out a second Penguin out of the lineup as winger Tyler Kennedy suffered a right leg injury in the first period of Tuesday’s game on a hit delivered by Sutton.

Kennedy is believed to have twisted his right knee and will be re-evaluated today in Pittsburgh. Kennedy had 3:37 of ice time in Tuesday’s win. The Penguins will hold an optional skate today at 1:00 p.m.

Defenseman Sergei Gonchar is also banged up after taking a few hard hits to his right shoulder.

-*Top prospect Eric Tangradi is expected to be added to the Penguins playoff roster today or tomorrow. With a potential injury to Kennedy, you can’t rule out Tangradi getting a look from the coaching staff in the next round, assuming the Penguins advance.

Mark Letestu, Nick Johnson will be among the other handful of callups. Getting Tangradi experience with the big club has been the plan going into the playoffs.

-*I’m told the Penguins are hopeful that the league looks into Jarkko Ruutu’s antics from the final minutes of Tuesday’s game.

-*Pittsburgh’s top line of Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby and Bill Guerin have combined for 6 goals and 14 assists in the series, and are a plus-20.

-*Is Sergei Gonchar’s free agent stock on the rise? The veteran defenseman is second on the team with 6 points.

-*Pittsburgh is 26.3% on the power play through four games but rank 15th on the penalty kill (57.1%)

-*Sidney Crosby is 57.7% (45-33) on face-offs but as a team the Penguins rank 13th with a percentage of 46.6%.