Pittsburgh Penguins leave injured defenseman Kris Letang, left winger Steve Sullivan day-to-day-NHL News
The Pittsburgh Penguins confirmed on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 that defenseman, Kris Letang, suffered an upper body injury in the game against the Dallas Stars.
No further details around the injury are provided by the management, including the chances and timeline of the player’s recovery and return.
Letang was hit by Stars’ forward, Eric Nystrom, just behind Penguins’ net almost halfway through the first period of the game, and had been on the ice for few minutes before being benched.
He left the rink not to return for rest of the game.
The Stars’ player was apparently aiming the hit on the chest or shoulders of the player, after he had successfully avoided the chances of the similar contact with another player.
Penguins’ coach, Dan Bylsma, said:
“I know (Nystrom) travelled a distance to make the hit."
Penguins’ defenseman was knocked down on the ice due to the force of the hit, which had come in the full flow of the player’s skating towards him.
The team has not disclosed the latest status of the injury and if and when the player would be able to report back his recovery and fitness. Following the hit, the Stars’ player was called on roughing penalty.
Bylsma said of the incident:
"I would rather he had stayed along the boards than try to get away."
After Letang’s departure, the coach rotated another player to pair with Paul Martin for the top defensive position for rest of the game. Penguins won the game with four to three (4-3) on the penalty shootout.
The injury has come as a setback for the team as the player was leading all the defensemen in points, goals and assists. He has scored 31 points, nine goals and 22 assists.
Since there is no information about the length of his recovery, it is unlikely to ascertain the impact his absence will make.
A prolonged recovery process will certainly affect the team, and it might stand hurting the playoff chances to some extent.
The team is well on the course of making it to the second round of the league, and the injury to the player does not bode well into their journey.
Letang was the second injury blow to Penguins, as left winger, Steve Sullivan, also left the ice with an anonymous lower body injury.
Just like Letang, he was unable to return to the side for rest of the game and there is no surety either if he would be able to come back in the next game.
Amid all the uncertainty, the coach said that the players would be a day-to-day call.
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