Kris Letang Turning Back the Clock as Penguins Push for Playoffs
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster season for Kris Letang, but lately, the veteran defenseman is reminding everyone why he’s still such a vital piece of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ puzzle. After some early inconsistencies, Letang has found his stride - and just in time, with the Penguins clawing their way back into the playoff picture.
Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Flyers was a prime example of Letang at his best. He was calm, calculated, and downright crafty with the puck.
One moment stood out in particular: a ridiculous blue-line keep on the power play that looked like something out of a highlight reel. With the Flyers on the verge of clearing the puck, Letang stepped up and knocked it down mid-air with his glove, settled it, and kept the play alive.
Seconds later, Sidney Crosby buried it for his 60th career goal against Philadelphia - a number that speaks volumes about Crosby’s long-standing dominance over the Flyers. But that goal doesn’t happen without Letang’s awareness and athleticism.
Letang has taken over the top power-play unit since Erik Karlsson went down with an injury earlier this week, and the transition has been seamless. That’s no small feat considering how dynamic Karlsson has been this season, especially in the offensive zone. With Karlsson out for at least two weeks, Letang’s ability to step up and stabilize things on the back end is critical.
Before the injury, Karlsson had been paired with Parker Wotherspoon on the top defensive unit, while Letang skated alongside Brett Kulak on the second pair. But with Karlsson out, Letang and Kulak have taken over top-pair duties - and they’re making the most of the opportunity.
Letang led all Penguins defensemen in ice time on Thursday, logging 23:25 across all situations. That’s not surprising, given the trust head coach Mike Sullivan has in him.
And it’s not just about the minutes - it’s about the impact. Letang and Kulak have quietly become one of Pittsburgh’s most reliable pairings.
They’ve now played 15 games together this season, and their chemistry is growing with each shift.
Kulak doesn’t bring much flash, but he brings stability - and that’s exactly what Letang needs next to him. The numbers back it up, too.
In 215 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time together, the duo has posted solid underlying metrics: 50.4% of expected goals, 50% of high-danger chances, 49% of scoring chances, and 48.4% of shot attempts. Those may not jump off the page just yet, but they’re trending in the right direction.
And most importantly, they’ve only been on the ice for five goals against all season - a testament to their growing defensive synergy.
Letang’s resurgence hasn’t just been limited to the Flyers game. He was excellent earlier in the week against the Tampa Bay Lightning, even though the Penguins ultimately lost 2-1 in a shootout.
Late in the third period, Letang won a crucial battle along the boards - against former teammate Jake Guentzel, no less - and fed Evgeni Malkin for the tying goal. That was a classic Letang play: gritty, smart, and timely.
He finished that game with 16:19 of 5-on-5 ice time, during which the Penguins controlled 51.5% of shot attempts, 56.6% of expected goals, and 58.8% of scoring chances while he was on the ice.
And let’s not forget his New Year’s Day heroics against the Detroit Red Wings. In his 1,200th career game, Letang blasted home the overtime winner - a rocket that gave Pittsburgh its third straight win at the time and moved him into second all-time for overtime goals by a defenseman with 13.
That night, Letang was dominant in all three zones. At 5-on-5, the Penguins controlled 67.6% of shot attempts, 91.7% of expected goals, 81.8% of scoring chances, and 100% of high-danger opportunities with him on the ice.
That’s not just good - that’s elite.
Now sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with 54 points, the Penguins are right in the thick of the playoff race. After missing the postseason the last two years, they’re hungry to break that streak. And if Letang keeps playing like this - steady, smart, and occasionally spectacular - he could be one of the biggest reasons they get there.
For a team that’s leaned on its core for nearly two decades, seeing Letang rise to the moment once again is no surprise. He’s not just holding the line - he’s leading the charge.