Pittsburgh Penguins News

Rust left the Penguins' previous game vs. Tampa in the third period after just 12:03 TOI due to a lower-body injury and was not at practice Thursday. If he is forced to miss time it will be a massive loss for the Penguins as the 31-year-old is having the best statistical season of his 10 year career with 10 goals, 10 assists, 71 SOG, four PIMs and a +13 plus/minus in 22 games prior to this latest injury.

After a stint with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL), posting 14 points (10G / 4A) in eight games, Bemstrom will return to the Blue Jackets lineup for the first time since November 14th. Before his demotion to the AHL, Bemstrom had four points (3G / 1A) in 12 games with the Blue Jackets. He is expected to skate on the third line alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson.

Novak has not played since November 11th, battling an upper-body injury, but is expected to make his return on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his injury, Novak had 12 points (6G/ 6A), averaged 16:02 time-on-ice, and played predominantly on a line with Kiefer Sherwood and Luke Evangelista.

Amidst a flurry of roster moves Wednesday Emil Bemstrom was recalled from Cleveland (AHL) and is expected to appear in the Blue Jackets game Thursday. The 24-year-old returns to the Blue Jackets for a second time this season having picking up three goals, four points, four PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 12 NHL games.

Jarry will return to the Penguins' crease on Wednesday after Alex Nedeljkovic got the nod in Monday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Flyers. Jarry is in the midst of another strong season for the Penguins, registering a .918 SV% and a 2.47 GAA, though a lack of steady goal support has limited him to an 8-8-2 record. He draws another tough matchup on Wednesday with the Penguins being slight underdogs (+105) in Tampa Bay.

Joseph has not played since November 4th, recovering from a lower-body injury, and has only played five total games this season. As a result, he has been reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL for a conditioning stint and will presumably be recalled in the near future.

Nedeljkovic will start for the first time since November 24th and has been terrific when called upon this season, especially since returning from a 10-game absence due to a lower-body injury two weeks ago. In his last two games (1-1-0), Nedeljkovic has saved 69 of 72 shots (.958 SV%) and has one shutout. The Penguins have struggled lately, losing six of their last nine (3-4-2), but will hope to get back on track as they are -113 road favourites in a rematch of Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Jarry allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday and will get the chance to redeem himself, starting his third consecutive game on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite only one victory in his last five games (1-3-1), Jarry has been solid, recording a .911 SV%, but has not received ample goal support, with the Penguins scoring two or fewer in each of those four losses. The Penguins are +113 road underdogs against the Lightning, who have lost two straight games, being outscored 7-2.

Joseph has not played since November 4th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be on the verge of a return to the lineup after being a full participant at the Penguins' practice on Wednesday. Before his injury, Joseph had one point (0G / 1A) in five games, averaging 13:05 time-on-ice, playing predominantly with Chad Ruhwedel on the Penguins' third defensive pairing.

Rust was a full participant at practice on Tuesday and skated with the top powerplay unit. He will return to the lineup after a three-game absence. After a down 2022-23 campaign, was in the process of having a terrific rebound season, tallying 16 points (9G / 7A) in 17 games thus far.

Despite a losing 1-2-0 record, Jarry has been tremendous over his last three games, saving 96 of 102 shots (.941 SV%), and will return to the create looking to continue his stellar play on Tuesday. The Penguins have lost four of their last six (2-4-0) after a five-game winning streak and are slight -104 road underdogs against a Nashville Predators team that is in the midst of their own season-best five-game winning streak.

Kolyachonok made his season debut Saturday but was forced to leave after 6:09 TOI due to a lower-body injury and is considered week-to-week. The 22-year-old has only appeared in three games in the last two years for Arizona but has a goal and three points in 35 career games with the team across three seasons.

Rust was a full participant at practice on Tuesday and skated with the top powerplay unit. Rust hasn't played the last three games, but after a down 2022-23 campaign, was in the process of having a terrific rebound season, tallying 16 points (9G / 7A) in 17 games thus far.

Aho exited Friday's contest against the Ottawa Senators with an upper-body injury and then did not play on Saturday and has subsequently been placed on injured reserve. Aho has four points (0G / 4A) and 26 blocks, averaging 14:11 time-on-ice and will miss at least one week.