Report: Letang out for remainder of season and playoffs if Penguins get in

The news just keeps getting worse for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The team needed a win on Friday to clinch a postseason berth, but came up short against the New York Islanders and now they've received awful news about defenseman Kris Letang.

Letang will not play again this season for the Penguins, Dejan Kovacevic of DK on Pittsburgh Sports reports.

"Even if we make a deep run in the playoffs," general manager Jim Rutherford said.

Letang hasn't played for Pittsburgh since March 28 after taking a nasty hit from Shane Doan of the Arizona Coyotes. The defenseman was diagnosed with a concussion after taking the hit.

The struggling Penguins – who played Friday's game with just five defensemen – need a victory on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres to ensure they get into the postseason.

Letang had 11 goals and 43 assists in 69 games this season.