Will Kris Letang be suspended for hit on Marcus Johansson? (Video)

What was hyped as the Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin series has quickly turned into a second-round matchup highlighted by controversial hits. 

One day after Brooks Orpik was handed a three-game ban for his hit head on Olli Maatta, the Pittsburgh Penguins could be without defenseman Kris Letang for at least Game 4 after his late check on Marcus Johansson of the Washington Capitals Monday night.

Johansson enters the Penguins zone and dishes off a pass. As he’s getting himself upright, Letang comes in late and lays a shoulder/elbow to the Capitals forward’s chest/head area. The head doesn’t appear to be the principle point of contact, but the hit is late and Letang launches himself upward.

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Will Letang sit for at least a game? Well, Johansson was back on the Washington bench for the start of fhe second period. That might help his case for a softer punishment, if any. When you consider Barry Trotz’s comments from Monday morning, whatever the Department of Player Safety decides will certainly help provide interesting commentary from both sides.

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