Longtime Penguins penalty-killer Bryan Rust gets time on power play

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Bryan Rust already was known and respected for his ability to play with virtually any linemate on almost any spot on the forward depth chart.

Recently, he has added power-play time to his resume, too.

Rust’s power-play goal early during Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders was the third of his career. He has five career short-handed goals.

“A little bit different,” Rust said of getting power-play time. “Just trying to go out there and support those guys and try to get open when I can and make some plays when I can and try to score some goals.”

Powerplay goal Bryan Rust? pic.twitter.com/3nXMG37Use

— Jake n’ Bake (@GuentzelEgo) November 20, 2019

With the Penguins down three top-nine forwards because of injury, they have turned to Rust on the top power play.

It’s a role he earned with seven goals in 10 games this season. He had a short-handed goal during Saturday’s win, then a power-play tally in the Penguins’ next game. That’s not an impossible feat, but it is increasingly rare as the NHL has trended more toward specialization with its forwards on special teams.

“It’s fun,” Rust said. “Any time you can play the power play and try to get a little more offensive or try to make some more plays and get a little more creative, it kind of breeds confidence and kind of shows that all the coaches have some confidence in me.”

Rust has been among the Penguins’ top five in forwards’ short-handed ice time in the past three seasons. That’s a lot of minutes working to prevent power-play goals. Has that helped Rust on the man-advantage?

“It does a little bit,” he said. “A lot of teams, a lot of guys, kill different ways. But I think in certain situations, it does help to kind of know where some weak spots might be or know how to relieve pressure when they are coming at you hard.”

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