Kris Letang will continue to go down in the chronicles of Pittsburgh Penguins history as he continues an outstanding season.
PITTSBURGH - To think just this past offseason, there were people saying the Pittsburgh Penguins should leave guys like Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang in the dust and let them test free agency.
The Penguins have gotten an outstanding season out of both players through 2022-23, but it’s been a little extra special for Letang.
For the second time in four games, Letang scored an overtime game winning goal and has looked like his regular self since returning from the second stroke of his life.
The last couple of months haven’t been nice to Letang, but he’s shown outstanding resiliency to not only still perform, but look like one of the Penguins’ best players.
"It’s well-chronicled he’s had a tough first half in so many different ways,” Mike Sullivan said. “When he scores big goals like that, I know it makes him feel good. It makes our whole team feel good.”
More than just the stroke, Letang also suffered a lower-body injury that took him out of the lineup for a number of weeks.
During the injury, Letang took a personal leave to be with family following the death of his father.
The rest of the Penguins made a trip to visit Letang during his absence, and it showed just how much he means to the team.
Ever since returning from his leave and the lower-body injury, Letang has consistently been one of the Penguins best players.
It’s only been four games, but he’s looked like a much improved, impact player.
“We’re thrilled for him for a lot of reasons,” Sullivan said. “He’s so important to our team, he plays so many minutes, we rely on him in so many situations. When he’s able to get rewarded… it’s a great feeling.”
With Letang’s most recent OT winning goal, he became the all-time leader in overtime points by a defenseman.
He also became just the fourth player in Penguins’ history to reach 10 overtime goals; Letang joins Sidney Crosby (19), Evgeni Malkin (13), and Mario Lemieux (11) with such an honor.
It was a historical night for Letang, but now he has to continue his high level of play as the Penguins enter the final stretch of the season.
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