Rust has missed Pittsburgh's previous two games, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 33-year-old Rust is having an excellent offensive season for the Penguins, with 36 points (16G / 20A) in 40 games.
With the news that Erik Karlsson (lower body) will be sidelined for several weeks, Pittsburgh has recalled Graves from Wilkes-Barre Scranton (AHL). The 30-year-old Graves scored one goal and averaged 15:19 time-on-ice in 17 games with Pittsburgh earlier this season.
Broz played one game earlier this season for Pittsburgh, his NHL debut, but has otherwise spent the entire campaign in the AHL. The 23-year-old second-round pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has 24 points (11G / 13A) in 33 games this season with Wilkes-Barre Scranton (AHL).
Karlsson has been having an excellent season for the Penguins, but has suffered a lower-body injury that will sideline him for several weeks. The 35-year-old Karlsson was averaging 23:46 time-on-ice and scored 33 points (4G / 29A) in 44 games before his injury. Expect Kris Letang to see increased deployment during Karlsson's absence.
Robertson suffered a lower-body injury early in Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche, exiting the contest after just two shifts. The 24-year-old Robertson was pacing for career-best offensive totals before his injury, but an update has not yet been provided on the severity. He has 22 points (10G / 12A) in 43 games this season.
Lizotte is in his second season with the Penguins and continues to be an effective bottom-six defensive forward, earning himself a three-year, $6.75 million contract extension. The 28-year-old forward is averaging 13:57 time-on-ice and has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 35 games this season.
Jones has not played since late October, recovering from a lower-body injury, and will head to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning assignment. The 28-year-old defenseman was averaging 17:10 time-on-ice and had one assist in seven games before his injury.
Rust is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, so he will not play Saturday vs. the Flames. Kevin Hayes will draw back into the Penguins lineup to replace Rust. With a back-to-back this weekend, Rust is considered questionable to play Sunday.
Malkin has not played in over a month, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 39-year-old Malkin was having a renaissance season before his injury, scoring 29 points (8G / 21A) through 26 games. The future Hall of Famer has not finished a season above a point-per-game pace since the 2022-23 season.
Malkin has not played in over a month, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 39-year-old Malkin was having a renaissance season before his injury, scoring 29 points (8G / 21A) through 26 games. The future Hall of Famer has not finished a season above a point-per-game pace since the 2022-23 season.
Koivunen scored a goal in his most recent game and has two points (1G / 1A) in his last three outings, but has been assigned to the AHL. The 22-year-old forward has five points (2G / 3A) in 27 games with Pittsburgh this season.
van Riemsdyk has been in and out of the lineup regularly this season and will return to a familiar place on the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Wednesday when the Capitals host the Dallas Stars. The 34-year-old defenseman is averaging 15:38 time-on-ice and has six points (1G / 5A) in 33 games this season.
McGroarty has been a regular for the Penguins since making his season debut at the beginning of December. The 21-year-old has three points (2G / 1A) in 16 games and will be sidelined for, at minimum, one week after being placed on Injured Reserve.
Brunicke was drafted 44th overall by the Penguins in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and has split time between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) in his first full professional season. The 19-year-old defenseman scored one goal in nine games with Pittsburgh and has just returned from a stint with Team Canada at the U-20 World Junior Championships, where he had two assists in seven games.
