Bryan Rust has bounced back in a big way and has been one of the best forwards in the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup.
Not many members of the 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins team performed to the level they are capable of, but something felt really off with Bryan Rust.
Through the entire year, Rust struggled to find consistency potting only 20 goals for the Penguins in 81 games.
It was Rust’s fourth 20-goal season, but everyone knows he’s capable of so much more.
15 games into the 2023-24 season, Rust is already putting together a much stronger season with nine goals and six assists for 15 points.
Standing at a point-per-game, Rust likes what he’s seen from himself this year.
“I think I’ve been playing some fairly good hockey,” Rust said. “I’ve been able to contribute. Use my skating and my aggression to cause some turnovers and help our team make some offense.”
Heading into the season, it wasn’t a guarantee that Rust would slot in on the Penguins first line, but they’ve been extremely productive all year long.
Rust has his pace, but Sidney Crosby leads the team with 20 points (10G-10A), and Jake Guentzel leads the team with 13 helpers (19 total points).
According to Big Head Hockey, the Penguins first line is the only line in the NHL (with a minimum 150 minutes played together) to hold an expected goals for percentage of over 60.
“I thought me and our line as a whole are tending in the right direction,” Rust said. “We’d like to keep it rolling.”
The Penguins’ most recent outing was a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, but it was Rust who contributed both goals.
Rust took some blame for the Devils’ first goal against, but Rust held up his end of the bargain in the game.
The Penguins needed Rust to have a bounce back year, and they’re getting it.
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