Kris Letang to return to Penguins lineup; Tristan Jarry starting
Penguins All-Star defenseman Kris Letang will return to the lineup for Monday’s game against the Calgary Flames according to Mike Sullivan.
The team activated Letang from injured reserve earlier in the day. Injured Nov. 4, he has missed eight games because of an undisclosed ailment. In 15 games this season, he leads Penguins defensemen with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) and is the team leader with an even 25 minutes of ice time per game.
Presumably, Letang will see a considerable portion of his ice time on the power play, which has gone 4 for 22 (18.1%) during his absence.
“He helps it in all aspects. He helps on the breakouts. He’s good on the offensive blue line,” Sullivan said. “He’s a good offensive player. He’s got good instincts. He sees it pretty good. He’s got good speed. He can shoot the puck.
“We’re a better power play when he’s on it.”
Sullivan also announced Tristan Jarry will start in net for the second straight game. He made 36 saves in a 4-1 home victory against the New Jersey Devils on Friday. In six games this season, he has a 3-3-0 record with a 1.81 goals-against average and .945 save percentage.
This will be the first time this season Jarry has started consecutive games. To this point of the season, Jarry has strictly been used in tandem with Matt Murray in the second portion of games on back-to-back days.
“We think Tristan’s had some pretty strong starts,” Sullivan said. “He had a strong game the last game. We have four games this week so both guys are going to see time. But we’ve really liked Tristan’s game to this point.”
Notes:
• Penguins forward Nick Bjugstad and Sidney Crosby each remain on injured reserve due to core muscle injuries.
• The Penguins did not hold a morning skate.
• Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie is considered a “game-time decision,” according to coach Bill Peters. Brodie skated on the Flames’ top pairing with captain Mark Giordano at the morning skate. Brodie has not played since being hospitalized after fainting and lapsing into convulsions during a practice at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome on Nov. 14.
With Brodie activated off injured reserve, the Flames assigned defenseman Brandon Davidson to Stockton of the American Hockey League.
• Flames goaltender David Rittich is expected to start. In 20 games this season, he has a 10-7-3 record along with a 2.80 goals against average, .911 save percentage and two shutouts.
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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