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Penguins

Updated: Rust Being Evaluated; Malkin with Crosby as Lines Scrambled

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Pittsburgh Penguins, Bryan Rust
Bryan Rust

CRANBERRY, Twp — Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust did not participate in practice Monday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Rust left Saturday’s game in Vancouver when he was crunched into the boards by Nils Hoglander. He put little to no weight on his right leg.



Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Rust is still being medically evaluated.

Center Evgeni Malkin practiced. He made a dazzling play to score Saturday but, in the process, crashed with his left shoulder or side into a goalpost. He was down on the ice briefly but remained in the game.

In fact, Malkin skated on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell as the struggling Penguins scrambled their lines.

“They’re pretty dynamic players,” Sullivan said of Crosby and Malkin skating together. “We’re trying different combinations to see if we can create a spark for the group.

“We thought we’d give it a try in practice and see what it looked like. They had a fair amount of time together in the third period the other night in Vancouver. They had a handful of pretty good shifts. I’ve used them a lot, more so than any other year in my time together these first 10 games.”

Also on the ice Monday was forward Cody Glass. He missed Saturday’s game because of illness.

Forward Matt Nieto, who is on LTIR after knee surgery, joined practice, as did forward Blake Lizotte, who is recovering from a concussion. Lizotte was in a no-contact jersey.

“It’s an exciting day,” said Nieto, who confirmed he has been cleared for contact. “I’ve only been skating for about six to seven weeks. Prior to that, it was all off-the-ice stuff and rehab. It was a long time with some boring stuff in the gym. … Kind of at the next step in the process.”

New Penguins Lines

Evgeni Malkin-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell

Anthony Beauvillier-Kevin Hayes-Jesse Puljujarvi

Drew O’Connor-Lars Eller-Noel Acciari

Michael Bunting-Cody Glass-Valtteri Puustinen

The defensive pairings:

Marcus Pettersson-Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany

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Robert Shoemaker
Robert Shoemaker
7 days ago

Why has Bunting been so invisible after being highly effective last season?

Dan Kingerski
6 days ago

One of the million dollar questions, eh?

Jeff Young
Jeff Young
6 days ago

Maybe last season he felt they had a chance… and after 10 games this season, not so much? shrug.

Rich81
Rich81
6 days ago

I understand the temptation to play those guys together & I can see it periodically, but given the lack of offensive depth, it only makes them easier to defend if it’s a consistent line. Opponents can simply deploy their top defensive players against them or use their fastest skaters to pressure them and force them to play on the back foot. With the way the current roster is built, this strategy doesn’t seem effective & perhaps desperate.

John
John
6 days ago
Reply to  Rich81

I agree, but times are desperate…

Harry
Harry
6 days ago
Reply to  John

Unfortunately that combination has never worked before.

Pete
Pete
6 days ago
Reply to  Rich81

3-6-1. They ARE desperate. Sully wont change how they play D so scrambling lines is the last act of a desperate man.

charles
charles
6 days ago

Back to the Injured List !!!!!!!

Kevin Obringer
Kevin Obringer
6 days ago

Always enjoy seeing line changes – they’re fascinating. With that said, those 2nd and 4th lines are brutal at face-value. All 3 playing at least solid for us so far, fortunately. And all 3 who likely wouldn’t make the roster for a handful of teams… being on our 2nd line. We will hope for the best.

Mistersee
Mistersee
6 days ago

Scratch Karl65 and try Shey at #2 right defenseman. MAYBE the pens will actually have some defense for once.

GBG
GBG
6 days ago
Reply to  Mistersee

Continuing to play EK and Graves is either an acknowledgement that the defense group is thin, or a startling lack of film time. Neither should see the ice.

Nathan
Nathan
6 days ago

Rust gets hurt A LOT.

STEVE
STEVE
6 days ago
Reply to  Nathan

Players that play with heart usually do. Unfortunately not many players with heart on the penguins these days

AW1818
AW1818
6 days ago
Reply to  STEVE

Judging by how hard Rust has back checked this season I wouldn’t put him into that category anymore

W Thome
W Thome
6 days ago

Thoughts on the lines for plan B?