PENGUINS

Kris Letang recorded two assists tonight to become the 20th defenseman in NHL history and the fourth active defenseman -- Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns and Victor Hedman -- to compile 600 career assists. 

"From the beginning, I always tell people I didn't think I would get here," said Letang, who collected assists on goals by Tommy Novak and Justin Brazeau tonight. "It's just pretty surreal for me to get to that point, but to also play for almost a full 20 years, it's the type of thing that will come along the way. I was just happy to be a hockey player." 

Playing in his 1,168th career game, Letang became the third-fastest active defenseman to reach the 600-assist plateau. Karlsson did it in 954 career games and Hedman accomplished the feat in 1,093 games. Letang is the 10th defenseman in NHL history to record 600 assists with one team. 

"I don't think anybody here -- and I say this in the locker room and in the organization -- is taking any of this for granted, to be able to be watching greatness first hand," Dan Muse said. "You think about how many players have come through this league, how many defenseman have come through this league and how hard that is to be able to accomplish. With Kris, you see it on a daily basis with his preparation and his dedication to the game. When you see what his daily process looks like, it's not surprising that he's been doing it this long and at such a high level."

While Sidney Crosby passed Mario Lemieux to become the franchise's all-time regular-season and playoff points leader and Tommy Novak netted his first goal as a member of the Penguins, Tristan Jarry presented Letang with the player of the game helmet in recognition of his historic night. 

And Letang made sure to show appreciation toward two of the guys that made it all possible: "Thanks Sid and Geno for the 600 goals you gave me."