Pittsburgh Penguins News

Blomqvist will start on Friday in Washington.

After Alex Nedeljkovic was peppered for five goals on 18 shots (.722 SV%) in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Penguins will switch to Blomqvist between the pipes. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has not played since October 29th but has been serviceable when called upon, posting a 3.46 GAA and .909 SV% in six outings (2-4-0). The Penguins, welcoming Bryan Rust (lower body) back into the lineup, enter the action on Friday as +167 road underdogs against the Washington Capitals.

Joel Blomqvist
Rust (lower-body) will return to Pittsburgh's lineup on Friday in Washington.

Rust has not played since October 26th, missing the last five games, but will return to the lineup on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell thrived during Rust's absence, which could pose an obstacle for Rust returning to that top-line deployment.

Bryan Rust
Rust (lower-body) has been activated from IR.

Rust has not played since October 26th, missing the last five games, but could return to the lineup on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell has thrived during Rust's absence.

Bryan Rust
Dewar (shoulder) has been recalled from his LTIR condition loan and activated from LTIR.

Dewar has not played for the Maple Leafs yet this season but had two points (1G / 1A) in a one-game conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies (AHL). With Auston Matthews (undisclosed) being placed on IR, the Maple Leafs have been able to activate and recall Dewar.

Connor Dewar
Mantha (lower-body) has been placed on IR.

Mantha suffered the injury late in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens and was unable to return. Mantha has been placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to November 5th and will not be eligible to return until at least November 12th. The 30-year-old Mantha has seven points (4G / 3A) in 13 games this season.

Anthony Mantha
Novak (undisclosed) is listed as a scratch for Wednesday's game against the Capitals.

Novak participated fully in warmups and his absence was not announced until just minutes before puck drop. We should expect to receive an update following the completion of Wednesday's game, but it seems likely Novak suffered some sort of injury in warmups.

Tommy Novak
Tomasino will draw back into Nashville's lineup on Wednesday in Washington.

Luke Evangelista and Mark Jankowski will be healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, allowing Philip Tomasino and Michael McCarron to re-enter the lineup. The 23-year-old Tomasino had an impressive 20 points (7G / 13A) in 41 games last season, but has been limited to zero points in four contests so far in the 2024-25 campaign.

Philip Tomasino
Rust (lower body) returned to full practice on Wednesday and may return during Pittsburgh's upcoming road trip.

Rust has missed four straight due to a lower-body injury but is nearing a return ahead of Pittsburgh's upcoming two-game road trip. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell has thrived during Rust's absence.

Bryan Rust