The return of a key Pittsburgh Penguins forward will bring about some changes to the forward lines.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are against the ropes as they enter the second half of a back-to-back. Jumping from one of the best teams in the league to another, the Penguins will have their work cut out for them against the Edmonton Oilers.

Things don’t look great for the Penguins, but they’ll get a bit of a boost to their lineup as a key forward is returning from injury.

Forward Lines

Michael Bunting – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

Head coach Mike Sullivan labeled Bryan Rust a game-time decision, and he will officially slot back in next to Sidney Crosby. This will also be Rust’s first time skating with newcomer Michael Bunting after Jake Guentzel's departure.

Reilly Smith – Evgeni Malkin – Valtteri Puustinen

This line remained unchanged, even with Rust bumping Rickard Rakell off the top trio. Valtteri Puustinen is cementing himself as a top-six forward option not just for the remainder of the season but on next year's opening night roster.

Rickard Rakell – Lars Eller – Emil Bemstrom

Rakell bumps from the first line to the third as Rust returns to the squad. Rakell hasn't had it this season and gets demoted back to the bottom six. In 50 games played, the's scored nine goals and 18 assists for 27 total points.

Jonathan Gruden – Noel Acciari – Jeff Carter

The Penguins don't like sitting their young prospects no matter the league they are playing in, so Jonathan Gruden stays in the lineup over Jesse Puljujarvi, who draws the short straw. Puljujarvi has been in and out of the lineup since signing a contract with the Penguins.

Defensive Pairs

Marcus Pettersson – Kris Letang
Ryan Graves – Erik Karlsson
John Ludvig – P.O. Joseph

The Penguins shuffled up their defensive pairs after Sullivan said it wasn't idea to have John Ludvig playing his off-side. Ludvig moves to his natural position while P.O. Joseph gets stripped of the first line for the third and his off-side.

Marcus Pettersson and Ryan Graves both bump up a line to accommodate for Joseph's demotion.

Starting Goalie

Tristan Jarry

Alex Nedeljkovic was given the start in Boston, giving the start against the Oilers to Tristan Jarry. In four games against the Oilers, Jarry is 1-3 with a 4.94 goals-against average.

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