The condition is treatable with blood thinners and at this point is not believed to be career threatening. Further testing also revealed that Letang, 26, has had a very small hole in the wall of his heart since birth. This small defect in the wall is present in all individuals before birth but seals shut in most people. It is possible that the hole in the heart led to the stroke. “The most important thing right now, of course, is Kris’ health,” GM Ray Shero said. “We’re not thinking about hockey right now. We want to make sure he gets the best possible care and gets better. After six weeks of treatment, doctors will re-evaluate Kris.”

The reports on Letang's illness have been extremely vague. There is no word on what kind of illness he is dealing with, but he will miss his fourth straight game tomorrow.

Letang will miss his third straight game and will go for further evaluations. Pens head coach Dan Bylsma is not sure whether or not Letang is fighting a serious illness. We should no more after Letang gets more tests done.

Letang has missed the last two games with an illness and his absence this morning suggests that he will not be available for tonight's game either. We will get an update following the skate.

Letang will miss his second consecutive game tonight. He was listed as doubtful so this is not really a surprise. Monitor his status prior to Monday's contest.

Robert Bortuzzo will slide into the lineup with Letang scratched. The Penguins say they will provide an update following tonight's game.

Malkin missed the last nine games with a leg injury, but he will return today vs. the Jets. He will centre his usual line with Jussi Jokinen and James Neal on his wings. Malkin has recorded 41 points (9G / 32A) in 32 games, activate him in all formats.

Malkin will be a game-time decision for this afternoon's matchup with the Jets. The Pens will get Letang back today, so getting Malkin back would be an added bonus. He will be a game-time decision after a nine game absence.

Letang missed the last 10 games with an elbow infection. He was out a little longer than expected, but it is great the Penguins to get their premiere defenseman back today. It has been a troubling year for Letang. He has been battling injuries and has tallied only 11 points (6G / 5A) with a minus-6 rating in 24 games. Expect him to play 20-plus minutes and see tons of power-play time in his return.

Letang was practicing today and took reps with the Penguins top power-play unit which is a positive sign that he could make his return tomorrow. The game starts at one so he will likely be re-evaluated in the morning and head coach Dan Bylsma will address the media a few hours before puck-drop.

Malkin participated in practice this morning and took reps on the Penguins power-play, which is a good sign that he could be available on Sunday. He will likely visit doctors in the morning and a decision will be made shortly after. Monitor his status in the morning as the puck-drops at 1:00 p.m EST.

Malkin was believed to be at least a game-time decision, but he has already been ruled out. Malkin will miss his ninth consecutive game with a leg injury that he suffered on December 14. He does not appear to Jbe too far away from returning to the lineup, so monitor his status following Saturday's morning skate.

The Penguins start 2014 with some great news. Letang has missed the last nine games but his return to practice is a great sign that he is nearing a return from his elbow infection. The Penguins are in action on Friday, monitor Letang's status.

Malkin will miss his eighth straight game today but appears close to returning. He took part in the morning skate once again so he is definitely progressing well. Monitor his status prior to Friday's meeting with the Rangers.

Malkin will miss his seventh consecutive game after suffering a leg injury against the Red Wings on December 14. Despite missing one of the NHL's best players the Penguins continue to win with a patchwork AHL lineup plus Sidney Crosby, so they will take things slow with Malkin.

Despite participating in the Penguins morning skate, Malkin will miss his sixth consecutive game. Consider him questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Blue Jackets.

Malkin has missed the last five games with a leg injury that he suffered on December 14. He is not taking part in line rushes which suggests that he won't play tonight despite skating.

Malkin will miss his fifth straight game with a leg injury that he suffered on December 14 in Detroit. With the three-day Christmas break on the horizon it is not a surprise to see Malkin sitting out tonight. Consider him day-to-day.

Letang has not been placed on the long-term injured reserve list, which would force him to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Letang had a medical procedure to clean an open wound that appeared after the Penguins won at home against New Jersey on Dec. 13. He participated in pregame warm-ups at Detroit the next day but was a late-decision scratch. Letang did not have the surgery to repair a bone break or displacement or ligament damage. He had the procedure only to treat an infection in the wound. Temporary casting is in place to prevent arm movement that could reopen the wound.

Nieto has skated in 23 games with the Sharks this season, he has two goals and four assists. With Tomas Hertl out for at least one month, Nieto's stay is expected to be a lengthy one this time around.