BOSTON — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang remains sidelined on a “day-to-day” basis due to an undisclosed injury.
Coach Mike Sullivan announced Letang’s status following his team practice session at Fenway Park on Sunday in advance of Monday’s Winter Classic game against the Boston Bruins.
The right-handed Letang, who was absent for Friday’s 4-2 home loss to the New Jersey Devils due to his ailment, did not participate in Sunday’s practice session, though he did travel with the team.
In 29 games this season, Letang leads the team’s defensemen with 16 points (two goals, 14 assists). He also leads the team’s non-goaltenders in ice time as he clocks an average of 24 minutes, 32 seconds.
While Letang did not participate in Sunday’s practice session, fellow right-handed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel was present, though he largely participated as a reserve.
Ruhwedel has missed the past two games due to an undisclosed injury. He indicated he felt better on Sunday after a few “rough” days. He was injured during the first period of a 5-1 road loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday. During the first period, he was on the receiving end on a thunderous check by Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom.
Appearing in 17 games this season, Ruhwedel has one assist while clocking an average of 13:10 of ice time.
Another injured right-handed defenseman, Jeff Petry, was present for a team photo but did not participate in the practice. He is currently designated to long-term injured reserve due to a suspected left hand injury and cannot return to the active roster until Jan. 8.
Sidelined since Dec. 10, Petry has appeared in 28 games this season and has scored 12 points (three goals, nine assists) while averaging 22:20 of ice time.
Forward Josh Archibald, currently designated to regular injured reserve due to an undisclosed ailment, did not practice. He has missed the past six games due to his malady.
In 30 games this season, Archibald has eight points (two goals, six assists) while averaging 10:15 of ice time.
Notes:
The Penguins’ lines and pairs during Sunday’s practice were:
59 Jake Guentzel - 87 Sidney Crosby - 17 Bryan Rust
16 Jason Zucker - 71 Evgeni Malkin - 67 Rickard Rakell
23 Brock McGinn - 53 Teddy Blueger - 77 Jeff Carter
43 Danton Heinen - 25 Ryan Poehling - 42 Kasperi Kapanen
28 Marcus Pettersson - 44 Jan Rutta
73 P.O Joseph - 52 Mark Friedman
8 Brian Dumoulin - 42 Ty Smith
The top power-play group involved Crosby, Guentzel, Malkin, Rakell and Smith. The second power-play group included Carter, Kapanen, Joseph, Rust and Zucker.
