Rust scored a goal on three shots in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Predators.
After missing Pittsburgh's last three games with a lower-body injury, Rust picked up where he left off Tuesday, beating Juuse Saros with a long-range wrister to tie the game 2-2 late in the third period. The 31-year-old Rust now has 10 goals and 17 points through 18 games this season, putting him on pace to surpass his previous career high of 58 points set in the 2021-22 campaign.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Ready to rock
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According to coach Mike Sullivan, Rust (lower body) will be available for Tuesday night's game versus Nashville, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.
Rust is expected to return to his usual prominent role following his three-game absence, skating on one of the top two lines and the top power-play unit against the Predators. He's been excellent this season, racking up nine goals and 16 points through 17 contests.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Slated to be game-time call
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Rust (lower body) is expected to be a game-time decision Tuesday against Nashville, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.
Rust was a full participant during Monday's practice and worked on the top power-play unit, which are both encouraging signs. He has missed the past three games due to a lower-body issue. Rust has accounted for nine goals, 16 points, 55 shots on net, 15 blocked shots and 10 hits over 17 outings this season.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Not playing against Toronto
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Rust (lower body) won't play Saturday versus Toronto, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.
Rust will sit out his third straight contest. He has provided nine goals, seven assists, 55 shots on net, 15 blocked shots and 10 hits over 17 games this season. Drew O'Connor has been playing on the top line during Rust's absence.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Not playing Friday
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Per Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now, Rust (lower body) is practicing in a regular jersey Friday but will remain out of the lineup versus Buffalo.
Rust missed Wednesday's game against the Rangers and has been ruled out of Friday's action. Rust is off to a great start with nine goals and 16 points in 17 games this season. He could return as early as Saturday at home versus the Maple Leafs.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Out Wednesday
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Rust (lower body) is expected to miss Wednesday's game against the Rangers, per Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff.
Rust has nine goals and 16 points in 17 contests this season. He's day-to-day due to the injury, so Rust might be an option to return Friday versus Buffalo. In the meantime, Vinnie Hinostroza (lower body) is expected to draw back into the lineup Wednesday and serve on the top line.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Dealing with lower-body injury
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Rust is being evaluated for a lower-body injury, according to Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site.
It's unclear at this time if Rust will be available to play Wednesday versus the Rangers. He has compiled nine goals, 16 points, 55 shots on net, 15 blocked shots and 10 hits through 17 contests this campaign. With Rickard Rakell (upper body) dealing with a long-term injury, Pittsburgh may have to replace two top-six wingers. Per Crechiolo, Vinnie Hinostroza, Jansen Harkins and Alexander Nylander are viewed as the main candidates to earn promotions in the lineup.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: On career pace
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Rust scored two goals Thursday in a 5-2 loss to the Devils.
Rust was at the center of the Penguins' offense Thursday night. He scored the game's opening goal early in the first with a backhander that fooled Devils starter Vitek Vanecek. Then Rust tipped in a shot early in the second to give the Pens a 2-1 lead. The 31-year-old's best season came in 2021-22, when he potted 58 points (24 goals, 34 assists), but he's currently charging forward on a career year with nine goals, six assists and 50 shots in 15 games.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Secures win in overtime
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Rust scored the game-winning goal and added five shots on goal in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.
Rust had one tally in overtime overturned, but he came right back to score the goal that secured the Penguins' third straight win. The winger has five points over his last three games, and he's up to seven tallies, 12 points, 39 shots on net, 13 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through 12 contests overall. Rust should continue to put up solid scoring numbers if he remains on a line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Racks up four points
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Rust scored a goal on four shots, distributed three assists and went plus-5 in Saturday's 10-2 win over the Sharks.
Rust did all of his damage at even strength in an impressive win. The 31-year-old had produced a goal and two helpers over his previous four games combined. The winger is up to six tallies, six helpers, 33 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating through 10 contests this season. He's been locked in on the top line, and he should remain productive as long as he doesn't leave Sidney Crosby's side.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Finds twine
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Rust scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Red Wings.
Rust's third-period marker got the Penguins within a goal, but they couldn't find an equalizer. He's up to four goals in as many games this season, though he's yet to provide an assist. The 31-year-old winger also has 12 shots on net, six blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. Rust is playing on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby, and he should be able to sustain strong offense as long as he's in that spot.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Two snipes help carry team to win
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Rust scored twice Saturday in a 5-2 win over Calgary.
He scored 18 seconds into the third period after Kris Letang fired a shot off the end boards. Rust collected the loose puck and wired a wrist shot at the right post. He then put another into an empty net. Rust now has three goals in three games to start the season.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Scores opening goal
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Rust scored a goal on five shots in the season opener against the Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Rust has hit the 20-goal threshold in four consecutive seasons and has already opened his account for the 2023-24 campaign. With the addition of Reilly Smith, the 31-year-old Rust is set to begin the year on the top line with Sidney Crosby, but Rust could easily shift down to the second line with Evgeni Malkin or even try to carry the offense for the third line. Regardless, Rust should be able to extend his streak of 20-goal seasons this year.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Skates Thursday
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Rust (hand) was on the ice for Thursday's practice.
Rust missed Pittsburgh's 2022-23 season finale due to a hand injury. He scored 20 goals and 46 points in 81 outings last year.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Suffers hand injury
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Rust suffered a hand injury in Thursday's season finale versus Columbus, Seth Rorabaugh of TribLive.com reports.
The injury occurred in the second period and Rust was unable to return. He finished the season with 20 goals and 26 assists in 81 contests.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Doesn't finish contest
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Rust (undisclosed) didn't play in the third period or overtime of Thursday's game versus the Blue Jackets, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Rust will close out the campaign with 20 goals and 46 points in 81 appearances. There was no update on Rust's status after the game, but head coach Mike Sullivan may provide an update during exit interviews in the coming days.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Scoring streak continues
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Rust scored a goal on three shots versus New Jersey on Tuesday.
Rust scored just one time in the month of March but has rediscovered his offense with goals in three straight games to kick off April. Despite the Michigan native finding the back of the night, the Penguins lost 5-1 to the Devils and seem in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2005-06. Still, if Rust can keep tickling the twine, he should at least give Pittsburgh a chance.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Scores again Sunday
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Rust scored a goal on three shots in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Flyers.
Rust scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period, grabbing a feed from Sidney Crosby before beating Samuel Ersson with a backhander. Rust now has three goals and four points in his last two games after scoring twice Saturday. The 30-year-old winger is up to 19 goals and 45 points through 76 games this season.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Three-point effort in loss
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Rust scored two goals and added an assist in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Bruins.
The 30-year-old carried the load for the Penguins, finding the back of the net in the first and third periods before helping to set up Jake Guentzel midway through the third to tie the score at 3-3. Rust has emerged from a slump that saw him pocket only one assist through the first nine games in March, racking up three goals and six points over the last six contests, but his turnaround may not have come soon enough to save Pittsburgh's playoff chances, as the Penguins dropped to ninth in the Eastern Conference with Saturday's loss and Florida's win over the Blue Jackets.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Collects two points in win
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Rust scored an empty-net goal on three shots, added a power-play assist and logged two PIM in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche.
The empty-netter snapped a nine-game goal drought for Rust, who had just one assist in that quiet span. The 30-year-old reached the 40-point mark for the fourth straight season, but it's been a down year for him. Rust has 16 goals, 24 helpers, 181 shots on net, 87 hits and a minus-9 rating through 70 contests overall.
