Rust scored a goal on three shots and blocked two shots in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Capitals.
Rust missed the first three games of the season due to an upper-body injury. He also looked to labor a couple of times during the contest, but he was taking top-line shifts by the end of the game. Rust was initially used on the third line with Ben Kindel and Ville Koivunen, but his long-term chemistry with Sidney Crosby makes it virtually inevitable Rust will officially move up soon. The winger had 65 points over 72 regular-season outings in 2026-27, including a career-best 24 power-play points, so he should be a productive player in fantasy.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Off injured reserve
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Rust (upper body) was activated off injured reserve ahead of Wednesday's game against the Capitals.
Rust was labeled as a game-time decision, but this announcement indicates that he is ready to make his season debut. He had 29 goals and 65 points in 72 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. Rust is projected to serve on the third line alongside Ville Koivunen and Ben Kindel on Wednesday, but it wouldn't be surprising if he ends up taking shifts alongside Sidney Crosby in the near future.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Labeled game-time call
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Rust (upper body) is considered a game-time decision ahead of Wednesday's matchup with Washington, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports.
In order to suit up, Rust will need to be officially taken off injured reserve, which should clear the way for him to return to action. For now, it looks like the veteran winger will slot into a third-line role alongside Ben Kindel once given the all-clear, though he is always a candidate to move to the top line alongside Sidney Crosby.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Practices with team
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Rust (upper body) was a full practice participant Tuesday, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.
Rust seems to be trending in the right direction toward a possible return against the Capitals on Wednesday, though he'll need to receive full medical clearance and be activated off injured reserve. Still, the fact that Rust was filling a third-line role at practice and working with the No. 2 power-play unit bodes well for the veteran getting back in the lineup sooner rather than later.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Hits injured reserve
Rotowire
Rust (upper body) was placed on injured reserve by Pittsburgh on Monday and is considered week-to-week according to Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site.
Rust won't be ready for the start of the season with his shift to injured reserve. Given his timeline, fantasy players should anticipate that Rust will be unavailable for at least the opening two games of the year. Without the veteran winger in the lineup, Filip Hallander and Ville Koivunen are both expected to get looks on the third line.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Being evaluated
Rotowire
Rust (upper body) is being evaluated and won't participate in Sunday's practice.
Rust sustained the injury in Saturday's 3-1 preseason win over Buffalo. He earned 29 goals, 65 points, 183 shots on net and 71 blocked shots in 72 appearances for Pittsburgh during the 2025-26 regular season. It's currently unclear if Rust will be available for Opening Night against Philadelphia on Wednesday.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Suffers undisclosed injury
Rotowire
Rust sustained an undisclosed injury during Saturday's preseason game and won't return to the tilt.
Rust had 29 goals and 65 points in 72 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. If he's not healthy for the start of the 2026-27 campaign, then that would increase the chances of Rutger McGroarty being part of the Opening Night roster.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: In peak form in preseason opener
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Rust generated a power-play goal on four shots, two primary assists and a plus-3 rating in Monday's 4-1 exhibition win over the Sabres.
Rust played at a high level in the Penguins' preseason opener, and he looked shifty as well, dangling through the Sabres' defense and dropping a pass to Connor Dewar for the game's opening marker. The 34-year-old Rust produced exactly 65 points across the last two regular seasons, and he should be able to provide a similar level of production this year if Monday's performance is any indication of how he is feeling heading into 2026-27.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Scores late in Game 1 loss
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Rust scored a power-play goal on three shots in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Flyers in Game 1.
Rust got the Penguins within a goal at 18:59 of the third period, but they couldn't tie the game. The 33-year-old winger finished the regular season at 29 goals and 65 points in 72 outings, matching his career-best point total from the year before. Rust will see top-line minutes and power-play time throughout the playoffs. In previous postseasons, he's earned a total of 21 goals and 35 points across 79 appearances, including a pair of Stanley Cup championships.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Back on top line
Rotowire
Rust (rest) was working on the first line at Thursday's practice, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.
Rust just missed out on reaching the 30-goal mark for the second straight year, tallying 29 times in 72 contests. Along with Egor Chinakhov, Rust figures to continue flanking long-time running mate Sidney Crosby while also joining him on the No. 1 power-play unit. As such, Rust figures to have high-end fantasy value in postseason pools.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Not in lineup Tuesday
Rotowire
Rust will sit out Tuesday's road finale against St. Louis as Pittsburgh gives its veterans a pre-playoff rest day, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
The 34-year-old winger has 29 goals and 65 points across 72 appearances in 2025-26, one of his most productive campaigns to date. Operating as a fixture on the Penguins' top line and first power-play unit throughout the year, Rust has also chipped in 183 shots on net and 70 blocked shots. He should return to the lineup when the playoffs begin and is a strong fantasy option in all formats.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Set to return Sunday
Rotowire
Rust (lower body) is slated to play against Washington on Sunday, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.
Rust sat out Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Capitals, but he is available to return to action in Sunday's matchup. He has accounted for 29 goals, 65 points, 183 shots on net and 70 blocked shots through 71 games this season.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Ruled out Saturday
Rotowire
Rust (lower body) will be unavailable Saturday versus Washington.
Rust has tied his career best in points with 65, a record he set last season. He has been a force on the power play with eight goals and 16 helpers. Rust could return as early as Sunday in Washington, though Tuesday in St. Louis could be a better spot, if he is able to play before the start of the playoffs.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Puts away goal in win
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Rust scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Devils.
Rust has three goals and three assists over his last five games. The 33-year-old winger was able to contribute a goal in the win that secured the Penguins' return to the postseason under first-year head coach Dan Muse. Rust has played his role well on the top line, matching his career high of 65 points in 71 contests, the same amount of appearances he had when he set the mark last year. He's added 183 shots on net, 70 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating and has up to three more games to push for setting a career high and returning to the 30-goal mark for the second year in a row.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Manages helper in return
Rotowire
Rust posted an assist, two blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Lightning.
Rust missed one game due to a lower-body injury. He was a late scratch after warmups Tuesday versus the Red Wings. It's unclear if this is an issue Rust will have to manage for the rest of the campaign, but he'll want to be in the lineup to help the Penguins push for a playoff spot. He's earned 16 points over his last 12 outings and is up to 62 points (24 on the power play), 177 shots on net, 69 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating over 68 appearances.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Returning Thursday
Rotowire
Rust (lower body) will be in the lineup against the Lightning on Thursday, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports.
Rust missed one game due to his lower-body injury but will rejoin the lineup for Thursday's tilt. Prior to his absence, the veteran winger was in the midst of a hot streak in which he logged points in 10 of his last 11 outings while racking up six goals and nine helpers. With Rust back in action, he figures to return to both the first line and No. 1 power-play unit.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Late scratch Tuesday
Rotowire
Rust (lower body) won't play Tuesday versus the Red Wings.
Rust was in the initial lineup, but he was ruled out just before puck drop. The 33-year-old will be replaced by Avery Hayes in the lineup Tuesday. Rust's next chance to play is Thursday against the Lightning.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Two-point effort against Isles
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Rust scored an even-strength goal and added a shorthanded assist in Monday's 8-3 rout of the Islanders.
After helping to set up Rickard Rakell for a second-period tally, Rust wrapped up the scoring late in the third after David Rittich had replaced Ilya Sorokin in the Isles' crease. Rust is roaring into April, getting onto the scoresheet in 10 of the last 11 games while racking up six goals and 15 points. Monday's performance put the veteran winger over the 60-point mark for the second straight season.
Rust delivered two assists in a 5-4 shootout win over Winnipeg on Saturday.
Rust is on a six-game, 10-point (five goals, five assists) scoring streak that includes three power-play goals and 17 shots. He now has put up points in 11 of his last 12 games (seven goals, nine assists). Overall, Rust has 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists; 162 shots) in 62 games this season. He has put up at least 56 points in each of his last three seasons and in five of his last seven.
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Penguins' Bryan Rust: Pots goal in overtime loss
Rotowire
Rust scored a goal on five shots and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Hurricanes.
Rust has earned five goals and three assists during his five-game point streak. The 33-year-old winger should benefit from the return of Sidney Crosby, who had been out with a lower-body injury prior to Wednesday. Rust is now at 26 goals, 54 points, 158 shots on net, 59 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating through 61 appearances in a top-line role.
