Penguins prepare to play Game 4 without Letang; Schultz could re-enter lineup

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Pittsburgh Penguins could be without their best defenceman for Game 4 of their second round series with the Washington Capitals.

Kris Letang was scheduled to have hearing on Tuesday with the NHL's department of player safety for his elbow to the head area of Capitals winger Marcus Johansson on Monday night.

His absence would be a huge blow to the Penguins defence, which played Game 3 without emerging 21-year-old defenceman Olli Maatta.

Maatta suffered an upper body injury in Game 2 following a devastating check from Capitals defenceman Brooks Orpik in Game 2. Orpik drew a three-game suspension for the incident, serving the first game of that suspension on Monday.

Rookie Derrick Pouliot stepped into the lineup for Maatta for Game 3, playing his first ever NHL playoff game. If Maatta is not available to return and Letang is suspended, the Penguins may have to turn to 25-year-old trade deadline acquisition Justin Schultz, who hasn't played since Game 1 of the team's first-round series with New York.

Whatever they do, Letang's absence will be felt. He's averaging more than 29 minutes in the playoffs, has seven points in eight games, and is tasked with matching up against the Capitals top line of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie.

The Penguins lead the best of seven series 2-1.