Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson hit milestones in same game

Going into their recent home game against the Detroit Red Wings which they won 4-3 in overtime, the Penguins were honoring Kris Letang. Letang was getting ready to play his 1200th career NHL game and that is a lot for a player of his caliber and of his age.

And to go along with celebrating his 1200th career game, he scored the overtime game winning goal off of a pass from captain Sidney Crosby. Letang took the pass from Crosby and slapped it into the upper left-hand corner of the goal top shelf past goaltender Cam Talbot. It capped the perfect night for the veteran.

But the other veteran defenseman on the team, Erik Karlsson, picked up a point in the game which gave him 900 points for his career. That is quite an accomplishment for the offensive defenseman for Pittsburgh and how much he shoots the puck or picks up assists.

The Penguins and head coach Dan Muse are so lucky to have the two veterans on the team that can help teach the younger players and still contribute offensively. Both are gifted in different ways, but both are very special players.

Letang and Karlsson are both in their 30s so after a while longer, they are likely going to retire. So seeing them still play the game at a high level knowing that they are getting older, says a lot about their character and their commitment to the game.

Being able to celebrate two major milestones with two big pieces to the Penguins puzzle on the current roster, had to feel good for them and the rest of the team. The Penguins have had Letang with them for his whole entire career and have had Karlsson for a few short seasons, but both keep grinding every day.

If these two can continue to stay healthy all season long and keep contributing offensively, they just might help lead the Penguins to a playoff spot. The Penguins are desperate to make the playoffs after 3 straight seasons of missing them.