Penguins Injury Updates; Rust Improves

After a maintenance day Friday, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin was back on the ice Saturday morning and will be in the lineup when the Penguins face the Montreal Canadiens Saturday at PPG Paints Arena.

While Malkin never visited the Penguins injury list, coach Mike Sullivan updated the others still on the injured list.

Matt Nieto has rejoined the team in a full-contact capacity, but remains on LTIR. Nieto has participated in practices and morning skates. He remained on the ice with the expected healthy scratches after Saturday’s morning skate. Sullivan hasn’t yet laid out the next steps, but Nieto hasn’t played a game since November 2023, and he will be a prime candidate for a 14-day rehab assignment when ready.

The Penguins would have to make a roster move to activate him from long-term injured reserve.

Bryan Rust, who suffered a lower-body injury in Vancouver last weekend during the team’s recent four-game Western Canada road trip, resumed skating for the first time Saturday. He took the ice before the morning skate, which is reserved for injured players.

Sullivan also conceded that he limited Blake Lizotte’s minutes against Anaheim on Thursday. It was Lizotte’s first game this season after suffering a concussion against the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 29. Lizotte played just over five minutes Thursday.