Penguins Top Defenseman Kris Letang Suffers Second Stroke

Good morning and happy Thursday, December 1st.

Congrats to those who predicted Moritz Seider or Thomas Chabot in yesterday's poll of would record the best plus-minus last night. Although neither player is in a position to brag about recording a -2 last night, both were better than Seth Jones at -3.

Light night of NHL action but still plenty to get you caught up on. Plus, some mind blowing trivia and just one more sleep till Friday 🎉

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play tonight for the first time since they began processing news that star defenseman Kris Letang suffered a second stroke Monday.

In making the announcement, the Penguins organization made it clear  the team’s concern is about Letang and not the impact his absence will have on the team.

“We are all concerned for Kris because we care about him,” Coach Mike Sullivan said. “Stroke is a scary word.”

A stroke happens when the blood flow to the brain is halted or reduced. That prevents brain tissue from receiving oxygen. Letang, 35, suffered his first stroke on Jan. 30, 2014. He missed two months, but was able to resume playing. Letang is playing his 17th NHL season and has played 54.6% of his games since that first stroke.

Tests in 2014 revealed Letang was born with a small hole in his heart. It should have closed on its own, but didn’t.

General Manager Ron Hextall said the second stroke is “much less severe than what happened eight years ago.” The early prognosis is encouraging. 

Letang was unaware he was having a stroke this time. He had a migraine headache and didn’t feel right. He talked to the team doctor, Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, who sent him to the hospital. Tests revealed the stroke. Letang’s teammates were told of Letang’s condition by Sullivan Tuesday after a 3-2 overtime loss to Carolina.  Letang came into the dressing room with Sullivan to assure  teammates he was doing well. 

He will go through comprehensive medical testing with the hope of determining why he had another stroke. 

Although the team is concentrating on Letang’s well-being, Hextall and Sullivan will have to deal with playing without their No. 1 defenseman. He averages 23:54 minutes per game. In the short term, Jeff Petry perhaps will play a more offensive role. They are home to face Vegas tonight.

TRIVIA: Who is the Detroit Red Wings all time leader in penalty minutes?

🏅 Mitch Marner officially tied Leafs' record with in 18 game point streak. With the Leafs up 2-1 late in the third, Marner remained pointless while the Sharks pulled their goalie. Although it took multiple attempts to register a point on the open net, Marner ultimately scored with 1:11 left on the game clock to extend his point streak to 18 games, tying Darryl Sittler and Ed Olczyk. In celebration, his Leafs teammates doused Marner with water in the locker room, begging the question, where's the beer?

💵 Pat Maroon donated $2,000 to Tampa Thrives in response to Jack Edwards. The Tampa-based nonprofit assists "those struggling with mental health and substance use issues by providing navigation, access and awareness." Maroon and several fans didn't take Jack's "body shaming" of Maroon lightly. Not to be left out, the Carolina Hurricanes joined in on the action, asking Canes fans to "donate $19 out of spite for Jack Edwards."

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TRIVIA ANSWER:

Bob Probert is the Red Wings all time leader in penalty minutes with 2,090 in just 474 games as a Red Wing.

Joey Kocur sits in the no. 2 spot with 1,963 PIMs in just 535 games played.

Probert and Kocur collected PIMs at a truly remarkable pace when you consider Gordie Howe sits at no. 3 on the all-time list with 1,643 PIMS but in 1,687 games played 🤯