The Pittsburgh Penguins have been rolling lately, riding a five-game win streak and climbing the standings with the kind of late-season push fans in the Steel City have come to expect. But just as things were clicking, they’ve been dealt a significant blow on the blue line. Veteran defenseman Kris Letang is expected to miss at least four weeks with a fractured foot, the team announced Saturday.
Letang, who’s been a cornerstone of the Penguins’ defense for nearly two decades, has been placed on injured reserve. He didn’t participate in Friday’s practice, and now we know why.
Losing a player like Letang isn’t just about the numbers-though his 25 points in 50 games this season speak for themselves-it’s about everything else he brings. Leadership.
Poise. Experience.
He’s been with the franchise since 2006-07, owns three Stanley Cup rings, and has long been the heartbeat of Pittsburgh’s back end.
This injury comes at a tough time for the Pens, who are 27-14-11 on the year with 65 points. Their last loss came back on January 17 against Columbus. Since then, they’ve looked like a team finding its groove, and Letang has been a key part of that resurgence.
It’s not just Letang dealing with health issues, either. Evgeni Malkin, another pillar of Pittsburgh’s veteran core, also missed Friday’s practice. He’s been banged up this season, and while there’s no official word on his availability, it’s another storyline to watch as the Penguins try to keep momentum going.
Head coach Dan Muse acknowledged the grind of the season and the importance of staying focused, especially with the team right in the thick of the playoff race.
“I mean, right now, it’s every day you’ve just got to be ready to turn that page and try to get a little bit better,” Muse said. “I’m aware of where we are in the standings...
For me, the focus is on just turning the page the next day. Today the focus was on-It wasn’t going to be a terribly long practice, but we wanted to make the most out of it and get something from today, and then quickly turn that page through tomorrow and get them ready for that game.”
Letang’s absence will be felt in more ways than one. He’s the kind of player who logs heavy minutes, quarterbacks the power play, and isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body-often playing through injuries that would sideline most. He’s also been dealing with an upper-body issue in recent weeks, so this latest setback adds to an already taxing season.
Still, this Penguins team has been resilient. With Sidney Crosby continuing to lead the charge and a group of veterans who’ve been through the wars, they’re not going to fold because of one injury-no matter how impactful. But make no mistake: Letang’s injury is a gut punch, especially with a big matchup looming against the New York Rangers as Pittsburgh looks to extend its win streak to six.
The path to the postseason is rarely smooth, and for the Penguins, this is just another challenge to navigate. The next few weeks will test their depth, their resolve, and their ability to keep stacking points in a tight Eastern Conference race.