8:00CST: Letang has not returned, playing only 2:06 tonight.
Kris Letang scored a goal just 27 seconds in for the Pittsburgh Penguins. And just as quickly, he was helped off the ice with an apparent knee injury.
The Detroit News’ Ted Kulfan reports that Letang got tangled up with the Detroit Red Wings’ Thomas Vanek in the corner and fell to the ice in obvious pain. He was helped off the ice, favoring his left knee. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Jonathan Bombulie confirms it was Letang’s left knee. Additionally, Bombulie tweets that Letang did return, tested the knee out during a stoppage, but then returned down the tunnel near the end of the first period. Bombulie reports that he played just one shift upon his return for 17 seconds.
This is tough news for the Pens should it be a significant injury. Letang has 23 points (4-19) this season for the Pens and is a staple on the blue line.