Penguins HC Mike Sullivan Updates Bryan Rust Injury
The Pittsburgh Penguins provided an injury update for Bryan Rust.
PITTSBURGH – With the Pittsburgh Penguins playoff hopes holding on by a thread, they were dealt a significant blow as they prepare to kick off a Western Canada road trip. It was announced that forward Bryan Rust will be out of the Penguins lineup on a week-to-week basis.
Rust suffered an upper-body injury in the Penguins’ victory over the Philadelphia Flyers and did not make the trip with the rest of the team. While the rest of the Penguins were in Vancouver, Rust was back in Pittsburgh, continuing to be evaluated.
Ahead of puck drop against the Canucks, Penguins’ head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Rust will be out on a week-to-week basis.
The hits just keep coming for the Penguins, as they believe they can still fight for a playoff spot. Losing Rust only makes finding offense more challenging, with the Penguins already down Jake Guentzel.
With Rust and Guentzel both out, 2/3 of the Penguins’ first line is on the shelf. Sidney Crosby will continue to center the top line but move forward with Rickard Rakell and Reilly Smith as his wingers.
Guentzel has seen his name appear quite a bit with the trade deadline looming, but so too have Rakell and Smith. When Rust returns from his injury, the Penguins may no longer have Guentzel, Rakell, or Smith in their organization.
No matter who is in the lineup, the Penguins will continue to fight for their right to battle in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their first big test comes against one of the top teams in the NHL, the Canucks.
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