Kris Letang Takes Morning Skate, Out vs. Sabres

BUFFALO — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang returned to practice on Thursday, 10 days after suffering his second stroke in eight years. The top defenseman took the sparsely-attended optional morning skate on Friday morning with several teammates, including Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Blueger.

However, after the skating coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Letang would not play Friday.

Letang and Dr. Vyas spoke to the media on Thursday. They expressed little worry that hockey could worsen or harm Letang. He was able to accelerate his recovery from his most recent stroke because it was not as severe, and doctors know what caused it.

They did not yet know the causes after his first stroke in 2014.

“It’s a scary word. ‘Stroke’ is a scary word,” Letang said. “I’m lucky to have the staff that we have. I know I’m in good hands. I’ve been lucky that these things have resolved on their own, and I can go back to a normal life,” Letang said on Thursday.

On Thursday, Sullivan termed Letang “day-to-day.”

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ryan Poehling was cleared for contact and participated in drills on Friday morning. However, he will also miss the game against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

Get the Penguins pregame here.

Get the press conference and Kris Letang health update here.

The Penguins host the Sabres on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena.