Letang Scratched for Game Against Ducks

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kris Letang was a surprise scratch for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ game against Anaheim at Honda Center Friday night.

The team announced that he did not play because of illness.

Letang had participated in practice Thursday — the first practice in more than a month in which everyone on the major-league roster took part — with no apparent problem.

His place in the lineup was taken by Mark Friedman.

With Letang missing, the Penguins’ defense pairings looked like this:

Marcus Pettersson-Jeff Petry

Brian Dumoulin-Mark Friedman

P.O Joseph-Ruhwedel

There was no immediate word on Letang’s availability for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ game at Los Angeles Saturday night.