Kris Letang leaves Penguins' game with apparent knee injury

DETROIT — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang twice left a game against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night after appearing to injure his left knee.

Letang got tangled up with Detroit's Thomas Vanek early in the first period and twisted awkwardly on his way down to the ice. He got up slowly and tried to keep weight off his left skate as he went toward the dressing room. Letang returned briefly later in the period but left again and didn't return.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan told reporters after the game that he did not have any update on his star defenseman's status. 

Letang scored 27 seconds into the game, his fourth goal and 23rd point in 30 games this season.

Letang missed seven games with a lower-body injury and five games with an upper-body injury earlier this season.