The Penguins’ Bryan Rust has been suspended three games by the NHL for hitting the Canucks’ Brock Boeser in the jaw on Sunday as time expired in the Pens’ win in Vancouver. It’s the first NHL discipline ever assessed against Rust in his twelve seasons, and the Penguins were very unhappy about it.
Coach Dan Muse says Rust isn’t a dirty player.
The NHL says Rust will forfeit $80,078.13 in salary to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Filling his role will not be easy. Rust is a top power play wing, penalty killer, and takes his regular shift on Sidney Crosby’s top line, where he has scored 18 goals with 21 assists this season, averaging 20:07 of ice time per game.
Muse says his absence will open a door for some other player.
The Penguins play the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow night.
Crosby says the four-game win streak they bring into the game coming off an eight-game losing streak last month shows how difficult it is to win in the NHL.
The Penguins put in an intense workout yesterday after taking Monday off. Crosby says that’s the kind of effort they will need to make a playoff run.
Evgeni Malkin practiced with no restrictions after suffering an apparent left shoulder injury in the third period on Sunday.
The Penguins have lost defenseman Jack St. Ivany for at least eight weeks after he had hand surgery yesterday. He had finally settled into the Pens’ lineup after missing the first 28 games of the season with a foot injury. St. Ivany was injured in the first period in Vancouver.
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