Penguins' Bryan Rust shooting, scoring at a quicker pace

Bryan Rust has no need to apologize for shooting more often this season. He fills a void on a Pittsburgh Penguins roster that has been depleted by injuries.

Plus, he makes a good point when he says, “This year, I may have shot the puck more than I have in other years, but I don’t think they’re wild shots or dumb shots. I just have been getting opportunities to get open. Shoot when I can, try not to hesitate.”

Rust has taken 63 shots in 18 games, an accelerated pace from last year when he shot 141 times in 72 games.

And the best part for coach Mike Sullivan: They are going in the net at an unprecedented rate.

After scoring in overtime Thursday night to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets, 1-0, Rust has 10 goals in 18 games. It was his second overtime goal this season and fourth in six seasons.

Throw in nine assists, and he is recording more than a point a game.

Quite a contrast from last season, when he scored only one goal in his first 29 games. He ended up with a career-high 18 goals after netting nine in the final 31 games and eight in a six-game surge in December.

But he sought more consistency this season, and, so far, he appears to have found it.

“I think it’s a little bit more opportunity,” he said, “but also just getting better at certain plays, plays in tighter or in front of the net or working to get open a little bit more.”

He said he is learning how to “read players better, get to open ice better, receive pucks at different angles, forehand, backhand in different body positions, so I can get shots off quicker.”

Rust, who often has played on the top line with Jake Guentzel, is one of many Penguins who have stepped up his game in the absence of Sidney Crosby, Patric Hornqvist, Evgeni Malkin and others.

“It puts more responsibility on everybody else,” Rust said. “It’s a group effort. Everybody has done a pretty good job of elevating their game.”

Sullivan appreciates Rust’s versatility, which includes killing penalties and working on the top power-play line, if necessary.

“He’s just a real solid two-way player,” Sullivan said. “We use him in so many situations. He’s been great on the penalty kill.

“But I think, offensively, he probably has more confidence right now than he’s ever had. He’s really seeing it.

“He’s got some chemistry now with Jake. His speed is just so influential, no matter where we put him or how we utilize him. He’s making more plays now. He’s hanging onto pucks. He’s doing a lot of the little things that offensive players do that help us score.”

Although Crosby has been out since Nov. 9, Sullivan said Rust paid attention when they were on the ice together.

“I think (Crosby) is the best player in the game underneath the hash marks offensively,” the coach said. “Rusty has learned how to play in that (down low) traffic.”

The result has been Rust playing “a much more mature game,” Sullivan said.

“We plug him into situations where the team has a need, and he has the ability to do it.”