Bryan Rust Listed as Game-Time Decision by Penguins
After 10 games away, Bryan Rust is close to returning to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have played 10 games without Bryan Rust in the lineup and he is officially eligible to return.
Rust has skated a few times with his Penguins teammates and could be right one the cusp of an official return to the lineup.
According to head coach Mike Sullivan, Rust is considered a game-time decision against the Washington Capitals.
Rust said he's feeling 'wonderful' and is ready to 'help the team win games.'
The Penguins kick off the 2024 calendar year tied with the Capitals with 40 standings points and could leapfrog them and into a playoff spot with a big win at PPG Paints Arena.
Rust returning to the lineup would provide a huge boost for the Penguins and Sullivan has already spoken highly of the crucial forward.
In the most recent skate with his teammates, Rust skated on the Penguins’ second line with Reilly Smith and Evgeni Malkin.
Rust spent most of the season on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel and rebounded pretty well to start the year compared to last season.
Regardless of where Rust lines up, he makes the Penguins a better and more threatening team, he has chemistry with both Crosby and Malkin.
“He’s a very good complimentary player,” Sullivan said. “He understands the difference between playing on Sid’s line or Geno’s line… Rusty has a real conscientious game. He’s such a good player in so many ways.”
With Rust likely coming back to the lineup, it is expected the Penguins will send a player or two back to the AHL.
Matt Nieto is currently on injured reserve and hasn’t made much progress, likely leaving him open to move to LTIR to make room for Rust to return.
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