Kris Letang was crushed along the boards in the Penguins last game and left for a short period of time. He returned to action in the third period but it appears that there is a lingering effect from that collision.
Coach Sullivan confirms that Kris Letang will not play tonight. He will be a game-time decision tomorrow. Marc-Andre Fleury will be in net.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 17, 2016
This is a real problem for the Penguins. The team is 1-7-1 this year without Letang in the lineup. Letang has been a monster from an offensive standpoint since his slow start to the season.
Letang has 28 points in 34 games this season which would be great for a forward let alone a defenseman. He has 24 points in his last 23 games. To put this into perspective Erik Karsson has an all situations points per 60 of 2.2 in this sample while Letang is at 2.4. Erik Karlsson is a legit candidate not only for the Norris Trophy but the Hart Trophy as well.
Possession wise Letang has a Score-Adjusted Fenwick of 54.5% during this 24 game stretch. He has been tremendous.
So yeah, Pittsburgh is going to miss Kris Letang when he is out.
Here is a great write up about Letang and what he has dealt with the past few years
After 4 scary seasons, Kris Letang hopes to help #Penguins realize potential: https://t.co/ORbqLHKBtO @Dixononsports pic.twitter.com/v2Q0YEHBqU
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 17, 2016
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Carl Hagelin makes his Pittsburgh debut today.
Carl Hagelin said he was surprised by the trade. Says he's healthy and finally feeling "the way I want to feel" after early injury -SK
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) January 17, 2016
Use my speed, create turnovers, win battles in the corners and give (Crosby and Malkin) the puck #Pens -SK
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) January 17, 2016
Thanks for reading!