Kris Letang marked his 1,200th career NHL game by scoring the overtime goal that secured a 4-3 win for the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Detroit Red Wings at PPG Paints Arena. The milestone came during Thursday night’s game, which saw Letang become only the 40th defenseman in league history—and just the third active blueliner—to reach this number of games played. He is also one of seven defensemen to play all 1,200 games with a single team.
“It’s always fun when you have a game, like a milestone game, and you do something you can remember,” Letang said. “Like, 1,000 games, I was pretty silent. You know, you have all the nerves, the family, the ceremony. So, it was fun to cap it off.”
Letang’s teammates joined him on the ice after he scored off a pass from Sidney Crosby in overtime. Blake Lizotte commented on Letang’s achievement: “Just jubilation. 1,200th game tonight, it’s only fitting he scored. He’s such a huge part of our team, and everybody was going nuts for him.”
Letang holds every major defensive record for the Penguins and has played significant minutes over two decades with the club. He credited his family and organization for their support throughout his career: “Family is a big thing. You need a support cast,” Letang said. “My wife, my kids, they support what I do, and it comes with a lot of sacrifice… And obviously, having an organization like the Penguins is just special. All the care they put into me and everything they’ve done to make sure I could rehab the different injuries or health problems I’ve had over the years. That’s the key.”
Letang overcame major health challenges during his career—including two strokes—and won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2022-23 after recovering from his second stroke.
Penguins President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas noted Letang’s resilience: “I think it’s been well documented that Kris has dealt with a lot,” Dubas said. “Very serious health challenges, injury challenges during his time in the league… And you see someone that when they don’t feel they’re at that standard, they continue to really work at it. And he sets a great example.”
Sidney Crosby also praised Letang’s dedication: “To see that that number, and to know how much he takes the defensive side serious, it’s not always easy,” Crosby said after Letang reached 600 career assists earlier this season.
The night included another milestone as Erik Karlsson became the ninth-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 900 points—achieved in his 1,124th career game—after assisting on Lizotte’s goal.
“He’s a special player,” Letang said about Karlsson. “Every time you watch him play, he can make something out of nothing… He’s gonna reach 1,000 pretty quick too.”
Detroit tied late in regulation before Letang clinched Pittsburgh’s third consecutive win less than a minute into overtime.
“I think it’s always good for your confidence… We kind of got what we worked for,” Letang said.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are based in Pittsburgh and compete as a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League official website. Since their founding in 1967 official website, they have earned multiple Stanley Cup championships official website and are recognized as an important part of Pittsburgh’s sports culture official website. The team’s home games are held at PPG Paints Arena official website.
