Rust scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Sharks.
Rust has three points, 12 shots on net and a minus-4 rating over five games since he returned from a lower-body injury. The winger is at five goals, two assists, 36 shots on net and a minus-11 rating through 13 contests this season. His offense should increase, but the Penguins' poor play defensively and in goal could lead to some ugly peripheral stats for the 32-year-old.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Scores in overtime loss
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Rust scored a goal on four shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Red Wings.
Rust has two points and nine shots on net over three contests since he returned from a lower-body injury. He's played primarily on the second line in that span, though the Penguins' forward trios have been in a blender at times this season. Rust is up to four goals, six points, 33 shots on net, 10 hits and a minus-8 rating over 11 appearances.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Nabs helper in return
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Rust posted an assist, five shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 4-2 win over the Capitals.
Rust's return from a five-game absence due to a lower-body injury didn't create immediate waves in the Penguins' lineup. He started the game on the second line, but head coach Mike Sullivan did play with his combinations during the contest. Rust is up to five points, 29 shots on net, nine hits, six blocked shots and a minus-5 rating through nine outings this season. He's already had two injury absences, so staying healthy will be paramount to his productivity the rest of the way.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Set to play Friday
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Rust (lower body) was activated off injured reserve Friday, per the NHL media site, which sets the stage for him to play in this evening's game against Washington.
Rust, who has missed Pittsburgh's past five games, has three goals and four points in eight outings in 2024-25. He'll likely serve in a top-six capacity in his return, perhaps on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby. If Rust does play with Crosby, then Evgeni Malkin will shift to the second unit.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Cleared for contact
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Rust (lower body) was a full practice participant Wednesday and could return during the Penguins' road trip, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.
Rust is traveling with the team on its three-game road trip but wasn't in action versus the Islanders on Tuesday. He'll have two more opportunities to suit up as the Pens face the Hurricanes and Capitals on Thursday and Friday, respectively. If Rust does rejoin the lineup, it figures to be in a top-six role and could spur head coach Mike Sullivan into breaking up Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin from the top line.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Joining road trip
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Rust (lower body) will be with the Penguins for their three-game road trip, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports Monday.
Considering Rust didn't practice with the team Monday, he probably shouldn't be expected to play versus the Islanders on Tuesday. Still, the 32-year-old winger's presence on the trip could see him back in action sooner rather than later. As long as Evgeni Malkin keeps playing on the wing with Sidney Crosby, Rust's return likely won't be in a first-line role, though he could replace Cody Glass on the second trio.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Skates on his own Saturday
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Rust (lower body) skated on his own before practice Saturday, Penguins insider Dan Potash reports.
It was the first time Rust has been on the ice since being injured against Vancouver on Oct. 26. The 32-year-old forward has missed the last two games and will sit out Saturday's matchup versus Montreal. Rust has three goals and an assist in eight games this season. He remains week-to-week.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Lands on IR
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Rust (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
Rust was deemed week-to-week earlier Tuesday, so this move frees up a roster spot for the Penguins. Valtteri Puustinen will likely stay in the lineup while Rust is out.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Deemed week-to-week
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Rust (lower body) won't play Tuesday versus Minnesota and is considered week-to-week, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.
Rust sustained the injury in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Vancouver. He has supplied three goals, one assist, 24 shots on net, six blocked shots and eight hits across eight outings this season. Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby may play on the top line versus the Wild, while Cody Glass (illness) will return to action.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Being evaluated
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Rust (lower body) didn't practice Monday and is still being evaluated, per Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site.
Rust sustained the injury in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Vancouver. He has three goals, one assist, 24 shots on net, six blocked shots and eight hits through eight outings this season. If Rust sits out Tuesday's matchup against Minnesota, Evgeni Malkin could play on the same line as Sidney Crosby.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Sustains injury Saturday
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Rust (lower body) won't finish Saturday's game versus the Canucks.
Rust was run into the boards in the third period by Vancouver's Nils Hoglander, and it appeared the Pittsburgh winger may have injured his knee. The Penguins quickly ruled him out for the rest of the game, which could be a bad sign for his availability moving forward. The team will probably update Rust's status before Tuesday's home matchup versus the Wild.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Nets power-play marker
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Rust scored a power-play goal on three shots, blocked three shots and added two hits in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Flames.
Rust tied the game at 1-1 with his second-period tally. Both of his goals this season have come on the power play, and he's added an even-strength assist, 20 shots on net, seven hits, six blocked shots and a minus-7 rating over six appearances. Rust is a fine complementary scoring winger in a top-six role, so he should be on fantasy rosters in standard formats.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Two points in overtime win
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Rust scored a power-play goal on six shots and added an assist in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime win over the Sabres.
Rust got off to a slow start with a pair of scoreless efforts after he returned from a lower-body injury. The 32-year-old winger broke through Wednesday, scoring the Penguins' first goal and setting up the game-tying tally that forced overtime. He's added 14 shots on net and four hits, and with a spot alongside Sidney Crosby on the first line and top power-play unit, Rust should be a reliable source of offense as long as he can stay healthy.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Activated from IR
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Rust (lower body) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, according to the NHL media site.
Rust will likely make his season debut against Toronto on Saturday after initially being considered a game-time decision. He is slated to play on the top line and first power-play unit. Rust amassed 28 goals, 56 points and 196 shots on net across 62 contests during the 2023-24 regular season.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Game-time decision
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Rust (lower body) will be a game-time decision Saturday against Toronto, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.
Rust was back on the top line during the morning skate, which bodes well for his availability in Saturday's contest. He missed the first two games of the 2024-25 campaign after getting injured in training camp. Rust generated 28 goals and 28 assists in 62 appearances during the 2023-24 regular season.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Won't play Thursday
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Rust (lower body) will miss Thursday's game against Detroit, per Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site.
Rust did skate Wednesday and Thursday, so he might not be too far off from returning. Once he is ready to play, Rust will likely serve on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby. The 32-year-old Rust had 28 goals and 56 points in 62 contests with the Penguins last season.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Officially ruled out Wednesday
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Rust (lower body) will not be in the lineup versus the Rangers on Wednesday, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.
Rust was on the ice for the morning skate Wednesday but has been officially ruled out. Since his placement on IR was retroactive, the 32-year-old winger can be activated as soon as he is ready to play. Once given the all-clear, Rust should reclaim his spot on the first line with Sidney Crosby. Until then, Anthony Beauvillier and Drew O'Connor will flank Crosby on the right and left side, respectively.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Designated for IR
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Rust (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.
Rust continues to be classified as day-to-day by head coach Mike Sullivan, and was placed on retroactive IR, per Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff, which means he could still be an option for Opening Night. While the Michigan native is on the shelf, look for Anthony Beauvillier to take on a first-line role on the right side of Sidney Crosby while Rickard Rakell slides up to the No. 1 power-play unit.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Remains day-to-day
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Rust (lower body) is still day-to-day in the lead-up to Opening Night against the Rangers on Wednesday, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.
Rust appears to be in danger of missing the first game of the season, though he hasn't been officially ruled out yet. Based on practice lines, if Rust does miss out, Anthony Beauvillier will shift to the right side while Drew O'Connor fills the other first-line wing role. Having said that, once Rust is given the all-clear, he is a lock to move back onto Sidney Crosby's right side.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Won't play Friday
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Rust won't play in Friday's preseason finale against the Blue Jackets due to a lower-body injury, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.
Rust missed a third consecutive day of practice Friday, and coach Mike Sullivan revealed that the winger is dealing with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day. While he'll be absent from Friday's exhibition finale, it's not yet clear whether he'll be available for Opening Night against the Rangers on Wednesday. Anthony Beauvillier and Drew O'Connor will likely play alongside Sidney Crosby on the Penguins' top line if Rust is sidelined.
