Return of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang boosts Pittsburgh Penguins playoffs run-NHL news
A day after hearing positive news on return of centre, Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins are set to receive another boost in the form of defenseman, Kris Letang’s comeback, who is hoping to play against the New York Rangers on Thursday, March 15, 2012.
He took part in full contact session and trained along with other teammates on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, setting the tone for his return.
However, he is yet to hear from the management if he is going to play against Rangers or will be made to wait a little longer.
Interestingly, Letang denied having been diagnosed with concussion following his injury on February 29, 2012, which had been described to be the main reason behind his absence.
He said it was possible that the concussion-like symptoms he has experienced lately had returned from his old injury.
While ruling out that the hit from Dallas Stars' Eric Nystrom, was the cause of the problem, he said:
“No. It's just a few symptoms appeared to be coming back. Probably from the old one. I don't know. But I didn't feel right. So we put me aside."
Letang added that the workout with the teammates on Tuesday depicted his fast recovery.
He added:
"To get back on the ice with my teammates is part of the little progression and we'll go from there."
The player, who has not played a game or practised since suffering the problem, said that the latest injury scare was not as serious as the previous one.
He pointed out:
"The first one was pretty bad. I couldn't do much, except sleeping and maybe reading. This one, there were a few things I didn't like. That's why I stopped playing."
Irrespective of the uncertainty around his Thursday’s return, the comeback comes as good boost for the team.
A day earlier, they had heard good news from Crosby’s end, who just recovered from the concussion-like symptoms after missing 41 successive games.
After missing 10 months of playing due to the same problem, Corsby returned to the ice in November 201, but was only able to play eight games before getting injured again.
The player altogether has missed 102 games in last two seasons, and the team can only hope that he does not suffer the problem again.
Even though Penguins are at the comfortable 4th position in the Eastern Conference and a definite contender for the playoffs, the return of the players will make their berth into the second round hundred per cent.
Meanwhile, another defenseman, Paul Martin, has also returned to the squad after having remained absent for two games with an unknown illness. He has made himself available for the game against Rangers.
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