Letang Scores Two Goals in All-Star Game Debut
RALEIGH, North Carolina — Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was voted to his first-ever All-Star Game as a write-in candidate. Letang, who finished second in overall voting and first among blueliners and write-ins, showed why he is worthy of such support Sunday in Raleigh.
Letang scored two goals for Team Staal, while logging 18:19 minutes playing alongside Marc Staal.
“It’s a game where you want to be spectacular, you want to give a good show for the fans,” said Letang, who played for two YoungStars teams in his career. “It was fun and a great experience for me.
“Everything was (great). It’s a really good environment. I enjoyed the whole weekend. It was great. The city treated us well. I had a lot of fun.”
Letang recorded his first-career All-Star goal (and point) six minutes into the second period. Alex Ovechkin and Daniel Sedin were playing give-and-go in the offensive zone. Sedin found Letang, who was trailing (sneaking in) on the play, in the high slot. Letang’s shot went high over the shoulder of goalie Jonas Hiller for the tally.
Letang gave Team Staal an 8-7 lead halfway through the third period when he tallied his second of the game. Letang was atop the crease. Patrik Elias was below the goal line, but got the puck to Letang, who snapped it through the body of Tim Thomas for the score.
“It was a great pass by Daniel,” Letang said. “I was right down the slot and had a feeling to shoot. (The second goal) was a five-hole shot. It was a nice pass by Patrik.”
