The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that Bryan Rust has been activated from LTIR

Bryan Rust’s return to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ roster has been made official ahead of their contest with the Washington Capitals.

The Penguins officially activated Rust from long-term injured reserve after multiple skates with his teammates.

Rust has been out of the lineup for 10 games, and this is the first game he is eligible to return to the roster.

To make room for Rust on the roster, the Penguins have also re-assigned defenseman Ryan Shea and forward Vinnie Hinostroza.

In Rust’s absence, Drew O’Connor temporarily held down his spot on the first line but was soon after replaced with Rickard Rakell who was also returning from injury.

Without Rust in the lineup, the Penguins have gone 7-2-1 and are entering the new year as one of the hottest teams in the NHL.

It seems likely that Rust will return to the Penguins’ lineup and play on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith.

For a good chunk of the season, the line of Rust, Sidney Crosby and Jake Guetnzel was one of the top analytical lines in the NHL.

During this recent recall, Shea did not lace up in game action; Hinostroza played in five games since Rust’s absence without scoring a point.

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