Bryan Rust is a game-time decision for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, according to NHL.com’s Status Report. The Penguins winger has not played this season while recovering from an upper-body injury suffered Sept. 26 in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Sabres.
Rust was listed as week-to-week after the injury and has missed the first three games of the Penguins’ season, according to Yahoo Sports. His potential return comes as Pittsburgh prepares for the first of four meetings with Washington this year, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. ET on HBO MAX and TNT.
What The Team Said About The Brian Rust Injury
Rust practiced fully on Tuesday after taking part in morning skates, a step up from his earlier limited activity, Yahoo Sports reported. Penguins head coach Dan Muse told reporters after practice that the club still has decisions to make before clearing Rust for his season debut.
“Still need to have some conversations, but it was good to have him out there,” Muse said, according to Yahoo Sports. The comment confirms Rust has not yet been cleared and that his status will not be finalized until closer to game time, consistent with his game-time decision designation.
Lineup Picture If Rust Sits
No specific replacement options have been identified publicly if Rust is held out again Wednesday. The Penguins have managed without him through their first three games, posting a 2-1-0 record before Monday’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets, their first setback of the season.
Season Context
Rust has yet to appear in a game this season because of the upper-body injury. The timeline traces back to the Sept. 26 preseason finale against Buffalo, after which he was initially tabbed week-to-week. His full practice participation Tuesday marked the clearest sign yet that a debut could be close, though Muse’s comments indicate the team is not ready to commit either way.
What’s Next
The Penguins host the Capitals Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on HBO MAX and TNT, the first of four matchups between the two clubs this season. Rust’s final status is expected to be determined around game time, and Pittsburgh will look to bounce back after Monday’s loss to Winnipeg snapped its unbeaten start.
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