With the new dynamic duo of Rutger McGroarty and Evgeni Malkin working so well, how will Sidney Crosby fare without Rust?
Pens reshuffle lineup after losing Bryan Rust, Letang returns
PITTSBURGH, PA -- - On a good note, the Pittsburgh Penguins did not have to go as long as expected without assistant captain and veteran defenseman Kris Letang, as it was announced that his recovery is ahead of schedule, and he will be made available for their tilt with the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.
However, the team will be without star forward Bryan Rust for approximately the next month with an abdominal injury he suffered in the Pens' 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rust came out red-hot with seven quick goals for the team, but has since cooled off trying to find his footing as the Penguins have often shuffled their top six to deal with injuries to captain Sidney Crosby and the previously-lagging play of Rutger McGroarty and Rickard Rakell.
Danton Heinen and Rakell will move up to Crosby's line while Emil Bemstrom will move to the second line to play with McGroarty and assistant captain Evgeni Malkin. Blake Lizotte will shuffle in on the fourth line to play with Samuel Poulin and Kevin Hayes.
On the backend, the team will adjust with Letang returning by sending rookie defenseman Owen Pickering back down to the AHL for the time being, though he is expected to be back at later points in the season.
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6:45 - Gabriel Landeskog (11) Assisted by: None
3:31 - Evgeni Malkin (14) Assisted by: Rutger McGroarty
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19:32 - Mike Matheson (4) Assisted by: Nick Suzuki [PP]
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4:21 - David Perron (6) Assisted by: Dylan Cozens & Adam Gaudette
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