Penguins forward Bryan Rust could rejoin lineup versus Oilers
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust could rejoin his team’s lineup for a home game against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.
Approximately two hours before the opening faceoff, coach Mike Sullivan labeled Rust as a “game-time” decision. Roughly an hour later, Rust was formally activated from injured reserve.
Typically deployed on the right wing of the top line, Rust has missed the past seven games due to an undisclosed injury. The Penguins have gone 2-5-0 over that span.
In 42 games this season, Rust has 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) while averaging 19:04 of ice time per contest.
Notes:
• Sullivan announced goaltender Tristan Jarry will start Sunday.
In 43 games this season, Jarry has an 18-20-4 record, a 2.68 goals against average, a .908 save percentage and a league-best six shutouts.
Throughout his career, Jarry has faced the Oilers in four games and has posted a 1-3-0 record, a 4.94 goals against average and .856 save percentage.
• Per Sullivan, forward Drew O’Connor skated Sunday morning. He has missed the past two games due to a concussion.
• Sullivan did not have a substantive update on forward Matt Nieto who has missed the past 39 games due to a right knee injury.
The team announced Nieto underwent surgery Jan 4 and provided a time frame of six to eight weeks for recovery. He is approximately nine weeks removed from surgery. Sullivan indicated his rehabilitation process is still ongoing.
• The Penguins have lost five consecutive games against the Oilers (0-5-0). Their only longer active losing streak against any opponent is a six-game stretch versus the New Jersey Devils (0-5-1).
• The Oilers are expected to start goaltender Calvin Pickard. In 13 games this season, Pickard has an 8-4-0 record, a 2.45 goals against average, a .909 save percentage and one shutout.
Throughout his career, Pickard has faced the Penguins in six games and posted a 3-1-1 record, a 2.56 goals against average, a .923 save percentage and one shutout.
• Oilers forward Ryan McLeod has played in 199 career games.
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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