With just one game remaining in the regular season, Pittsburgh is awaiting its first-round playoff matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers and will rest several key players, including Kris Letang. The veteran 38-year-old defenseman returns to the postseason for the first time in four years, deployed in a much smaller role with the team. Still, Letang ends the 2025-26 season with a very respectable 34 points (3G / 31A) in 74 games.
Letang will be one of seven regulars who will not play on Saturday due to an "injury." With the Penguins locked into a playoff spot, they're giving a few of their veterans some rest.
Letang was sidelined a week leading up to the Olympic Break due to a lower-body injury, but is expected to play when Pittsburgh returns to action on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 38-year-old Letang is averaging 22:06 time-on-ice, recording 25 points (3G / 22A), 64 blocks, and 67 hits in 50 games this season.
Letang has been effective in his age-38 season, but he is battling an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear whether he will be available on Saturday against the New York Rangers. He has 25 points (3G / 22A) in 50 games.
It's unfortunate timing for Letang, who recently saw an uptick in ice-time, including deployment on the top powerplay unit, because of an Erik Karlsson (lower body) injury. The veteran defenseman had been productive lately, tallying nine points (1G / 8A) in his last 14 games.
Letang recently saw an uptick in ice-time, including deployment on the top powerplay unit, because of an Erik Karlsson (lower body) injury. That said, the 38-year-old Letang will be a game-time decision on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames because of upper-body issue. The veteran defenseman had been productive lately, tallying nine points (1G / 8A) in his last 14 games.
Letang recently saw an uptick in ice-time, including deployment on the top powerplay unit, because of an Erik Karlsson (lower body) injury. That said, the 38-year-old Letang will head to the sidelines himself because of an upper-body issue. The veteran defenseman had been productive lately, tallying nine points (1G / 8A) in his last 14 games.
Letang exited Saturday's game against the New York Rangers after 15:29 time-on-ice but was back at practiced on Monday. The Penguins return to action on Tuesday evening in Anaheim against the Ducks.
Letang left early in the third period and did not return to Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Rangers. Head coach Dan Muse said that Letang is being evaluated and he should be considered questionable to play Tuesday in Anaheim.
The Penguins announced on Wednesday that Letang had successful closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO; small hole in the heart). The expected recovery time is four to six weeks, so Letang will be ready for training camp in the fall.
Letang was a surprise scratch for Friday night's game with the team not announcing his absence prior to the official roster report being finalized. We should get an update on his status ahead of Pittsburgh's game in Washington on Saturday.
Letang practiced on Friday but will miss a third straight game due to a lower-body injury on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The veteran defenseman is averaging 23:24 time-on-ice and has 16 points (7G / 9A) in 34 games this season.
