Vokoun, 38, was a ninth round pick of the Canadiens in 1994. He only played 20 minutes with Montreal before moving to Nashville, where he would spend eight seasons. He would later play four seasons in Florida followed by a season with both the Capitals and Penguins. Vokoun finished his career with a 300-288-43 record, 2.55 GAA, .917 SV% and 51 shutouts.
Vokoun went 1-1 with a 2.41 GAA and .891 SV% in his two game conditioning stint.. He was playing his first games since having emergency surgery to dissolve a blood clot in late September.
Vokoun has not played all season after having surgery for a blood clot in his pelvis in September. It is unlikely that Vokoun will play any part in the Penguins' playoff run, but this is great news for Vokoun.
Vokoun will skate for the first time all season on Wednesday because of a blood clot. He is still a long ways away from playing, but this is a positive step for the veteran netminder.
Vokoun was given a three-to-six-month timetable for a possible return. And while the 37-year-old acknowledged that retirement is possible — this is the second time Vokoun has dealt with blood-clot issues, the other time occurring when he played with Nashville in 2006 — he hasn't given up hope of rejoining the Penguins. “It's hard to look that far ahead,” he said. “But definitely, if I get cleared, I want to try. We'll see. I don't have definite yes or no.
Vokoun will be reevaluated after three months and then the Penguins will decide if he is ready to return or not. Jeff Zatkoff will assume backup duties to Marc-Andre Fleury in Vokoun's absence.
Vokoun was released from hospital earlier this week after having surgery to remove a blood clot from his pelvis.
Vokoun was released from hospital today and is back at home.
With Vokoun almost certainly unavailable to begin the season, the Penguins will turn to goaltender Jeff Zatkoff — who has never played in an NHL game — as starter Marc-Andre Fleury's backup.
Vokoun rebounded nicely in Game 3 after a tough Game 2. He allowed two goals on 40 shots in the 2-1 double-overtime loss. He will need to have a solid outing tonight or the Penguins will be bounced from the playoffs.
Vokoun will get the start in Game 3 after giving up three goals on 12 shots in Game 2's 6-1 loss. He was yanked after 16:31 in the first period in favor of Marc-Andre Fleury. Pittsburgh is in an unfamiliar situation down 2-0 on the road and all coach Bylsma wants is "a solid game between the pipes from our goalie and allow our team to win the hockey game."
There was some speculation that the Penguins may go back to Marc-Andre Fleury after Vokoun allowed three goals on 30 shots in Game 1. However the loss was just Vokoun's third of the playoffs and he still sports a GAA under 2.00 (1.98) so there really is no reason for coach Bylsma to panic.
Vokoun replaced Marc-Andre Fleury in the first round and has play admirably. He has posted a 1.85 GAA and .941 SV% in seven games this post-season. The Penguins are stacked so Vokoun should have no problem recording W's.
Vokoun stopped 30 of 33 shots he faced in Game 4's 7-3 win. He will obviously assume the goal for Game 5 where the Penguins will look to close out the series.
Vokoun continued his strong play in the playoffs in Game 3 when he turned aside 46 of the 48 shots that were directed at him. He gave up a backhand goal to Colin Greening at 7:39 into the second overtime frame that gave the Sens the victory. In five starts Vokoun has posted the playoff's best GAA (1.61) and SV% (.949).
Vokoun continued his strong post-season with a 35 save performance in Game 1. The only goal he allowed was a jam play early in the first period, but he bounced back and shut the door on the Senators. Vokoun has posted a 1.28 GAA and .962 SV% in three starts.
After Marc-Andre Fleury struggled early in the Penguins first round series with the Islanders, Tomas Vokoun came in a shut the door for Pittsburgh. He posted a 1.41 GAA and .957 SV% in Game's 5 and 6. After two performances like he had there is no surprise that Coach Bylsma will go with him in Game 1 vs. the Senators.
Vokoun stopped all 31 shots that the Islanders threw his way in a 4-0 shutout win on Thursday. He is starting because Marc-Andre Fleury (who struggled mightily last year) struggled in the first four games. He will be back in goal for Game 6 where the Penguins will look to close out the series.
Marc-Andre Fleury has struggled big time in the first four games of the series posting a 3.40 GAA and .891 SV%. Vokoun will get the start in Game 5. He last started a playoff game in 2006-07 as a member of the Nashville Predators.
Vokoun allowed just two goals on 40 shots in a winning on Saturday. He will get his second straight start tonight when the Penguins take on the Senators. He is 8-1-0 on the road this season versus 4-3-0 at home, so he could make for a good spot start tonight. However the Sens are a team desperate for a win, so don't expect them to just roll over.
