Following a hearing with NHL officials on Tuesday, Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was suspended for two-games as punishment for a boarding penalty in the third period of a game against the Jets' Alexander Burmistrov on Monday night in Winnipeg.
The Penguins, likely anticipating a suspension, called up defenseman Brian Strait from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earlier in the day, and he'll presumably fill Letang's spot for the Penguins starting lineup Tuesday night against the Wild in St. Paul and on Thursday night against Montreal. Strait had four points in five games for the Baby Penguins before his recall.
The suspension leaves Pittsburgh without regulars Sidney Crosby and Tyler Kennedy, missing with concussions and concussion-like symptoms, as well as star center Evgeni Malkin, still sore from surgery on his leg. As a result, Tuesday night's game against 2-1-2 Minnesota will be a real test of depth for the Penguins as they look to keep their head above water in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division until Crosby, Malkin and Co. are ready to return.
Check out video from NHL Senior Vice President, Player Safety and Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan below for an explanation of the suspension.