Penguins’ Rust suspended three games for hit to head on Canucks’ Boeser
A veteran is going to sit out a few games due to his actions.
On Tuesday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust has been suspended for three games for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser.
The incident occurred during Sunday’s game between the two teams in Vancouver. In the dying seconds of the game, Boeser and his team were searching for the tying goal. With Boeser battling in front of the Pittsburgh goal, Rust came from the side and delivered a blindside hit to Boeser, knocking the Minnesota native down as the final buzzer sounded.
Bryan Rust get the elbow up on Brock Boeser late in the third. 🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks
Though the game was over, Rust was handed a two-minute minor penalty for an illegal check to the head. Boeser had to be helped off the ice by his teammates.
This is the first time in his 12-year NHL career that Rust has ever faced supplemental discipline. He will be eligible to return to the lineup when the Pens take on the New York Islanders next Tuesday.
Boeser was placed on injured reserve on Monday, meaning he could be back in time for the Canucks’ final two games before the Olympic break, if he’s healthy. He already has a concussion history in his tenure with Vancouver, including when he took a hit to the head from Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot in November of the 2024-25 season. While Jeannot was suspended for three games for the act, Boeser missed seven games due to the injury.
In 50 games this season, Boeser has scored 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points, sitting tied for third on the team in scoring.
The Canucks (17-30-5) are last in the NHL, 16 points back of the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The Penguins (26-14-11) currently sit second in the Metropolitan Division, six points back of the Carolina Hurricanes for first place.