Pittsburgh Penguins Gameday Skate: Kris Letang To Return Vs. Red Wings

Jan 7, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) during the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-4 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been more than two months since Pittsburgh Penguins defensemanKris Letangsuffered a minor stroke, sidelining him indefinitely.

But with three games to go in the regular season, the 26-year-oldwill return to NHL actionWednesday night when the Detroit Red Wings come to town in a possible first-round playoff preview.

Letang has been practicing with the team since mid-March, but doctors told him he alone could determine his readiness for games. Physicians determined that playing hockey didn’t cause Letang’s late-January transient ischemic attack (TIA) and that his returning to the ice wouldn’t increase risk of a recurrence.

Letang’s presence should further boost a Penguins lineup that has been gradually getting healthier. The past two weeks have featured the returns of wingerBeau Bennettand defensemanPaul Martinfrom lengthy absences.

Penguins coachDan Bylsmatold reporters Letang would be paired with the defensive-mindedRob Scuderifor Wednesday’s tilt. That’s a duo Pittsburgh had in mind from the moment Scuderi was signed as a free agent last summer, but that tandem has played together in just a handful of games.

During the morning skate at Consol Energy Center, Letang participated in power-play drills on the No. 2 unit.Matt Niskanenand Martin will continue to man the points on the top power-play fivesome, at least for the time being.

Sidney Crosby,Chris Kunitz,Brooks OrpikandOlli Maattawere full participants in the gameday workout, indicating they will return after sitting out games last weekend. The rookie Maatta has missed two straight games with an undisclosed upper-body injury.

Bottom-six forwardAndrew Ebbettwas reassigned to the AHL, whileAdam Payerlremained in Pittsburgh.

Tonight’s Game:Penguins (50-24-5, 105 points – 1st Metropolitan) vs. Red Wings (38-27-14, 90 points – 4th Atlantic) at Consol Energy Center
Faceoff:8 p.m. ET
TV:NBC Sports Network
Radio:105.9 The X

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Larry Snyderand I talked primarily NHL and USHL junior pucks in today’s episode of the Gospel of Hockey onCity of Champions Radio. We welcomedYoungstown PhantomsvoiceRyan Schwepfingerto assist us in that task:

Online Sports Radio at Blog Talk Radio withMatt Gajtkaon BlogTalkRadio