Katmandu: How is Martin Skoula looking thus far? What is his game like?

Shelly Anderson: Martin Skoula is looking exactly like the player the Penguins were after when they signed him, and that's a good thing. He's not a big hitter or a top shot-blocker, but he's steady and smart -- which is why he's lasted more than 700 NHL games and had been a steady regular until this season. He was signed to by the seventh defenseman to step in and close the gap if there was an injury to a top-six defenseman, and that's the role he's playing while Sergei Gonchar's broken wrist heals.

Ldistance: Hi Shelly. Even though I don't think changing lineups now is a good idea especially with the Pens winning like they are, but when do you think they should take Kunitz off Crosby's line? This no production from him has to change. Isn't there somebody down at Wilkes-Barre who can provide some scoring until Talbot gets back? Your thoughts.

Shelly Anderson: No, I don't think that's the most prudent move at this point. Chris Kunitz has always been a streaky scorer -- though he's starting to test his limits at this point -- but goals are not his only asset. His fight against Keith Ballard Friday night helped spark the Penguins to a comeback win. He's physical. He can pass. He's effective in other ways. And, for now, his center, Sidney Crosby, is picking up some of the scoring slack on that line with more goals than assists.

Ldistance: Shelly, I know it's only been a week with Gonchar out, but getting tired of hearing how the Pens miss him. Granted they will, but he's not going to be playing for awhile so "get over" it. Listening to the TV broadcasts are getting annoying especially Errey who keeps harping on this. The Pens have to get used to playing without him not only this year but after this year as well.

Shelly Anderson: Being at the games, I don't hear the broadcasters, but I would imagine it's tough to watch the Penguins struggle on the power play in a game against a team like New Jersey -- so tight-checking, you almost have to take advantage of power plays if you're going to win -- and not mention the missing part. Gonchar, the quarterback of the power play at the right point, has been out a week. That means he's expected back in three to five weeks. Then we won't have to think or hear about it, I guess.

Back_to_Back: What did you think of the two controversial hits this weekend? I didn't think Richards would've been very clean had he not used his shoulder on Booth's face. The Darcy Tucker hit I thought was clean.

Shelly Anderson: I talked to Mike Rupp (whose hit on New Jersey's Jay Pandolfo left Pandolfo injured Saturday) and we all asked Sidney Crosby about that today. There will be an extensive discussion of that on our new Pens blog later today at post-gazette.com/plus. In general, I agree with the players. It's tough when they are clean hits, such as leading with the shoulder, but it's awful to see players taken off on stretchers. There is no clearcut answer to avoiding those injuries.

James_Taiwan: Do you think the Penguins can avoid their first two-game losing streak of the season when they play Montreal?

Shelly Anderson: As I always say, I'm not much for predictions, but I would expect the Penguins to have a good chance at beating Montreal. They have had just one off game in 11, early on against Phoenix, and there is a ton of character on the team that I doubt will allow for anything but a strong game Tuesday. Montreal has some injuries on defense that play into the Penguins' hands. Of course, Hal Gill will probably negate all that buildup with an HT.....

Back_to_Back: Who do you see as the top competition to the Pens in the East?

Shelly Anderson: You can never rule out Washington as long as Alex Ovechkin is healthy. Carolina, although it hit a wall in the conference final against the Penguins, is a good, strong team. Inside the division, Philadelphia's goaltending has been stronger than I expected, and that makes the Flyers dangerous.

Katmandu: I think the Pens will have to choose between Letang and Gonchar after this season. Who would you choose? I think it's a no-brainer: Letang.

Shelly Anderson: I wouldn't want to be Ray Shero having to make such a decision. Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang are in the final season of their contracts, and it might be tough to sign both. Perhaps the salary cap won't go down after all, but the Penguins need to plan as if it will. Gonchar, at $5 million a year and 35 years old, almost assuredly will have to take a cut no matter where he signs. Letang, 22, has youth on his side but his game isn't nearly as developed as Gonchar's. Yet he could fetch a high price in the free-agent market. The other factor is the strong play of Alex Goligoski, who is signed through 2011-12.

Back_to_Back: Why is there a different public address announcer at the arena?

Shelly Anderson: Ryan Mill was named the interim public address announcer just before training camp. Longtime PA announcer John Barbero is on a medical leave, and we all wish him well.

kovalevrulz27: Why do the Penguins seem to struggle against the trap defense so much?

Shelly Anderson: It's not just the Penguins who struggle against the frustrating brand of trap New Jersey employs. But it can be highly effective against a team like the Penguins because it perfectly counters what the Penguins like to do. It slows the pace of the game. It closes off shooting lanes, making it tough for the Penguins to get on their aggressive forecheck. It sure isn't pretty, but it works when the Devils execute it as well as they did Saturday.

Back_to_Back: Of all your time reporting, have you ever come across any players who you thought sincerely disliked playing the sport of hockey and just did it strictly for the money?

Shelly Anderson: I can't recall any. It hasn't been that many years that the NHL has been in the big-money tax brackets. But I think you would have to be an exceptional talent to play just for the money without the drive of so many others.

Back_to_Back: Who is your favorite interview on the Pens? Are there any players who aren't very approachable?

Shelly Anderson: Well, Sidney Crosby is tough to pin down for questions. Just kidding. I don't really have a favorite or a least favorite, and I think other reporters would say the same. There are good players for various interview situations. The toughest is probably Evgeni Malkin, but that's more shyness and his concern over doing interviews in English. He's getting a lot more comfortable.

theWellHungarian: Any word on Max Talbot? When he gets back, who takes a seat?

Shelly Anderson: Max Talbot is still weeks away from returning from shoulder surgery. He was practicing, but now is sidelined with a foot injury. It's difficult to say what lineup changes will happen when he comes back because we don't know how well the team will be playing then or whether there might be more injuries. He sure did bring a lot of heart to Evgeni Malkin's line, which would displace Pascal Dupuis, but it's debatable whether Talbot is a regular top-six winger or more effective as a fourth-line center that further makes the Penguins the strongest team down the middle.

Pens-in-the-Playa: As someone who's only been able to catch a couple Pens games this season, I wonder how well they're doing at replacing Scuderi. He was fantastic in the Cup run last year. I've heard that GoGo is doing well. But what's your take? Has he been effectively replaced or is the jury still out?

Shelly Anderson: Alex Goligoski has been outstanding in his second season in the league. His skating and confidence are his cornerstones. As far as replacing Rob Scuderi, though, the closest one player there is free agent signee Jay McKee, a veteran who leads the NHL in blocked shots.

Back_to_Back: With the way some players (Staal, Crosby, Kennedy) are shooting more is this because of Bylsma's system? I think Sid could be a huge goal scorer if he continues to shoot as often as he does.

Shelly Anderson: They're all just trying to keep up with Sidney Crosby and his new, one-piece stick. Seriously, it's probably more a matter of Dan Bylsma's aggressive style leading to more scoring chances, thus more shots.

Shelly Anderson: Thanks, everyone. Good questions.

Penguins Plus, a blog by Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson, is featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.