Rust has missed eight 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, with his return to the lineup appearing to be on the horizon. Before his injury, Rust was having a terrific season, scoring 20 points (10G / 10A) in 22 games.
Jarry has only started one of the last five games for the Penguins, an atrocious 10-save performance (.714 SV%) in a 7-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 16th, but will return to the crease on Wednesday evening. Omitting his most recent performance, Jarry has played well, allowing three or fewer goals in eight straight games (3-3-2), posting a .927 SV%. The Penguins are slight +101 road underdogs against a New York Islanders team that has points in three straight (2-0-1).
Grzelcyk played only 13:35 in the Bruins' last game before exiting with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old defenseman has failed to record a point in 13 consecutive games and has only one point (1G / 0A) through 20 games this season. Mason Lohrei will draw into the lineup in the interim.
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.
Grzelcyk played only 13:35 in the Bruins' last game before exiting with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old defenseman has failed to record a point in 13 consecutive games and has only one point (1G / 0A) through 20 games this season.
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.
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.
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.
With Noel Acciari and Rickard Rakell set to return to the Penguins' lineup on Monday, Johnstone will return to the AHL after playing just a single game in Pittsburgh. He has two goals and three assists in 21 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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).
