DALLAS – PIttsburgh Penguins forwards Nick Bjugstad and Bryan Rust will each be a game-time decision for Saturday’s contest against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.

Rust has yet to play this regular season after suffering a suspected left hand injury in the final game of the preseason against the Buffalo Sabres at home on Sept. 28.

“He brings a ton of speed to our lineup, he plays at both ends of the rink, he’s a good penalty killer, he’s a guy that we can utilize in so many situations,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He can play the left side, he can play the right side. Since I’ve been together with (Rust), I’ve moved him all over the lineup. He understands what his role is on this team and he embraces it. He’s a valuable player for this team. So we’re certainly a better team when he’s in our lineup.”

Bjugstad has not played since leaving a home contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 5 due to an undisclosed ailment.

Having skated regularly since the injury, he is satisfied with his conditioning entering tonight’s contest.

“You’ve got to find ways to keep it simple to begin with,” said Bjugstad, who has no points in two games this season. “You can’t go out and try to do everything. You’ve got to get your feet under you and try to make the right play. It’s been three weeks. It hasn’t been too long. I’ve been able to stay in shape. The cardio is good. I’m not too concerned about that.”

Notes:

• With the departure of defenseman Erik Gudbranson via trade on Friday, defenseman Juuso Riikola may replace him in the lineup on the blue line. Riikola has played in three games this season but each came as a left winger on the fourth line.

Riikola said life as a forward was a learning experience.

“How it feels to be (a) forward in some situations,” said Riikola, who has no points this season. “Would you like to have a pass earlier or a little bit later? How it feels when the pass comes at different times. Would you want it to be (an) earlier pass, then you have more time? Or do you want it just to be later? That can help you see the game (differently).”

• Gudbranson was the team’s largest player at 6-foot-5 and 217 pounds, and by most measures, its toughest.

At a time where fighting is less and less prevalent in the NHL, the Penguins feel their collective ruggedness is sufficient post-Gudbranson.

“I believe we have a tough team,” Sullivan said. “We’ve got guys that play hard, we’ve got guys that take hard hits to makes plays. You can define toughness in different ways. What’s important for us is that we have team toughness. We’re just going to play the game as best we can to try to dictate the terms so we can play to our strengths.”

• Matt Murray is scheduled to start in net according to Sullivan.

• Murray was one of six participants in an optional morning skate. He was joined by backup goaltender Tristan Jarry, forwards Joseph Blandisi, Alex Galchenyuk, Adam Johnson and defenseman Chad Ruhwedel.

• Johnson’s presence on the ice was welcomed by Sullivan as Johnson had not skated for several days due to an undisclosed injury.

“It is a good sign,” Sullivan said. “He feels well enough to get back on the ice. We’ll take each day as it comes.”

• Ben Bishop is scheduled to start in net for the Stars. In eight games this season, Bishop has a 3-4-1 record along with a 2.38 goals against average and .920 save percentage.

• This contest features teams heading in opposite directions as the Penguins have lost three consecutive game while the Stars are on a three-game winning streak.

Follow the Penguins all season long.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)