Pittsburgh Penguins News

Bryan Rust (upper body) skated for the first time Thursday after sustaining an injury on December 5th.

Rust has missed five straight games for the Penguins after suffering an upper-body injury on December 6th. Rust's return to the ice is an encouraging sign for the Penguins, but he is still on a week-to-week timeline to return as he has not yet been cleared for contact. Before his injury, Rust was having a terrific season, scoring 20 points (10G / 10A) in 22 games.

Bryan Rust
Alex Nedeljokovic will start Thursday vs. Carolina.

Tristan Jarry has been solid most of the season but has taken a back seat lately to Nedeljkovic, who will start for the third time in the last four games. Nedeljkovic has won each of his last two starts, saving 63 of 69 shots (.913 SV%). In his first season with the Penguins, Nedeljkovic is sporting an impressive 2.58 GAA and .925 SV% through eight games (4-2-1). The Penguins are +119 home underdogs on Thursday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that is coming off a convincing 6-3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Alex Nedeljkovic
Alex Nedeljkovic was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate Thursday.

Tristan Jarry has been solid most of the season but has taken a back seat lately to Nedeljkovic, who will likely start for the third time in the last four games. Nedeljkovic has won each of his last two starts, saving 63 of 69 shots (.913 SV%). In his first season with the Penguins, Nedeljkovic is sporting an impressive 2.58 GAA and .925 SV% through eight games (4-2-1). The Penguins are +119 home underdogs on Thursday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that is coming off a convincing 6-3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Alex Nedeljkovic
Ryan Shea has cleared waivers Tuesday and is expected to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Shea has been a regular in the lineup for the Penguins this season but has been a healthy scratch for the last three games. His placement on unconditional waivers coincides with Chad Ruhwedel preparing to return to the Penguins lineup and Pierre-Olivier Joseph returning last week.

Ryan Shea
Rakell was activated off injured reserve and will play against the Wild on Monday.

Rakell has missed 12 straight games due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup for the first time since November 19th. Before his injury, Rakell was pacing for the worst season of his career, with only four points (0G / 4A) in 17 games. His zero goals on 44 shots rank worst among all forwards with over 30 shots this season.

Rickard Rakell
Acciari was activated off injured reserve and will play against the Wild on Monday.

Acciari has not played since November 30th due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Minnesota Wild. Acciari has three points (2G / 1A), 44 hits, and 28 blocks in 22 games this season, playing predominantly alongside Jeff Carter and Matt Nieto.

Noel Acciari
Jonathan Gruden has been reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Gruden appeared in four games this season but failed to pick up a point while collecting a -2 plus/minus and has been reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) Monday. The 23-year-old left-winger returns to the AHL, where he had 10 points (5G/5A) and 22 PIMs in 21 games played prior to his promotion.

Jonathan Gruden
Marc Johnstone has been reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Johnstone made his NHL debut at the age of 27 after an inspirational journey on December 8th but has yet to dress since and was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) Monday. He returns to the minors, where he earned his first career promotion after putting up five points (2G/3A) and 17 PIMs in 21 games played.

Marc Johnstone
Pittsburgh has placed Ryan Shea on waivers Monday.

Shea has been a regular in the lineup for the Penguins this season but has been a healthy scratch for the last three games. His placement on unconditional waivers coincides with Chad Ruhwedel preparing to return to the Penguins lineup and Pierre-Olivier Joseph returning last week.

Ryan Shea
Alex Nedeljkovic will start Monday vs. Minnesota.

Nedeljkovic will start on Monday after allowing three goals in relief of Tristan Jarry on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in Saturday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Discounting Saturday's relief appearance, Nedeljkovic has been tremendous when called upon lately, posting an excellent .946 SV% in his last four outings (2-1-1). The Penguins are -120 home favourites on Monday as they will be desperate to rebound against a Minnesota Wild team that has won three straight games but is averaging only 1.8 goals per game over their last five contests (3-2-0).

Alex Nedeljkovic
Rickard Rakell (upper body) will be a game-time decision Monday vs. Minnesota.

Rakell has missed 12 straight games due to an upper-body injury but could return to the lineup for the first time since November 19th. Before his injury, Rakell was pacing for the worst season of his career, with only four points (0G / 4A) in 17 games. His zero goals on 44 shots rank worst among all forwards with over 30 shots this season.

Rickard Rakell
Noel Acciari (lower body) will be a game-time decision Monday vs. Minnesota.

Acciari has not played since November 30th due to a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Monday against the Minnesota Wild. Acciari has three points (2G / 1A), 44 hits, and 28 blocks in 22 games this season, playing predominantly alongside Jeff Carter and Matt Nieto.

Noel Acciari
Alex Nedeljkovic was the first goalie off at the Penguins' morning skate.

Nedeljkovic will likely start on Monday after allowing three goals in relief of Tristan Jarry on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in Saturday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Discounting Saturday's relief appearance, Nedeljkovic has been tremendous when called upon lately, posting an excellent .946 SV% in his last four outings (2-1-1). The Penguins are -120 home favourites on Monday as they will be desperate to rebound against a Minnesota Wild team that has won three straight games but is averaging only 1.8 goals per game over their last five contests (3-2-0).

Alex Nedeljkovic
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