Tristan Jarry and Kris Letang have been invited to the All-Star game after all.
The NHL on Tuesday announced that both Penguins were selected as injury replacements for All-Star weekend, which takes place Jan. 24-25 in St. Louis. Jarry will replace Columbus goalie Joonas Korpisalo and Letang will go in place of teammate Jake Guentzel, who underwent shoulder surgery last week.
“We’re obviously thrilled for the two of them,” coach Mike Sullivan said after Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. “They both played extremely well. And it will be a great thrill for both of them. They’re both deserving. Tanger’s been there before. I think for Tristan, it will be a great experience for him.”
Jarry will be making his All-Star game debut. He won another start Tuesday, improving his record to 14-6-1. The 24-year-old goalie leads the league with a 2.04 goals-against average and also a .934 save percentage.
This is the sixth All-Star game selection for Letang, the most among defensemen in Penguins history. While he has been up and down with partner Brian Dumoulin sidelined, he has scored 10 goals and his 28 points in 35 games rank fourth among Metropolitan Division blue-liners.
“It’s fun to be named, but I think there’s guys more deserving than me on the team,” said Letang, who had two assists against the Golden Knights.
Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust also had cases to be All-Stars.
Guentzel was initially their lone All-Star when teams were announced last week. Letang had been Pittsburgh’s candidate for the “Last Men In” fan vote to select the final player for the 11-man Metropolitan Division team.
Matt Vensel: mvensel@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mattvensel.
First Published: January 8, 2020, 1:46 a.m.