Penguins’ Bryan Rust leaves game with lower-body injury

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that winger Bryan Rust has left Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks due to a lower-body injury.

Rust left the game late in the second period and did not return to the game, with the Penguins confirming his absence at the start of the third period.

It’s unclear as to what caused the injury, the specifics of it, how severe it is or how long Rust is expected to be out. All that’s known is that it’s currently labelled as a lower-body injury, although more details will likely be confirmed either after Thursday’s game, or before Friday’s game against the Seattle Kraken.

Rust had an assist on the Penguins lone goal before his departure in 11:41 of ice time, with the Penguins down 2-1 when he left the game.

With Rust out of the lineup, Anthony Beauvillier has replaced him on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell in the game. This combo has outscored their opponents 5-2 and has a 60.15% 5v5 expected goal share in 79:24 of ice time together.

Rust has continued to produce close to his career-best rates this season, with 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 43 games. While it wouldn’t be his best points-per-game rate in a season in his career, he’s currently on pace for 33 goals and 66 points assuming he doesn’t miss any more time, which would be career-highs due to the injuries that he’s suffered in his career.

Rust is currently in the third year of a six-year contract with a $5.125 million cap hit.

Should Rust miss any more time, Blake Lizotte was the lone forward healthy scratch for the Penguins and will likely slot back into the lineup. Lizotte has 8 goals and 4 assists for 12 points in 33 games played this season.