Rust remains on IR due to an undisclosed injury but was a full participant in Pittsburgh's practice on Tuesday. The 32-year-old winger last appeared on February 7th and had 13 points in his previous 13 games. Across 48 games played this season, Rust is third on the Penguins in scoring with 20 goals and 42 points.
Imama suffered the injury in the first period of Friday's game and was unable to return. We should receive an update on his status of ahead of Pittsburgh's game in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Bemstrom has 228 games of NHL experience, including scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 24 games with Pittsburgh last season, but has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 25-year-old forward has an impressive 41 points (19G / 22A) in 37 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). He replaces the injured Sidney Crosby (upper-body) in the Penguins lineup.
The Oilers are riding a two-game winning streak and will turn to Skinner between the pipes on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. Skinner played well in his most recent outing, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues. The 26-year-old netminder has a .918 SV% in his last 22 games (14-6-2). The Oilers enter Friday's contest as -175 home favorites against an Avalanche squad that played last night, defeating the Calgary Flames 4-2.
Crosby exited Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils for eight minutes due to an undisclosed injury but returned to the contest, ending the game with one assist in 22:14 time-on-ice. The 37-year-old Crosby downplayed the severity of the injury following the game but has not fully participated in practice since and will not play on Friday against the New York Rangers. Penguins' head coach Mike Sullivan said they are taking his injury "day by day," obviously posing a concern for his availability in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Bemstrom has 228 games of NHL experience, including scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 24 games with Pittsburgh last season, but has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 25-year-old forward has an impressive 41 points (19G / 22A) in 37 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).
Crosby exited Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils for an eight-minute stretch due to an undisclosed injury but returned to the contest. The 37-year-old Crosby downplayed any injury concerns following the game but was not able to participate in a full practice on Thursday. Crosby has seven points (4G / 3A) during a five-game point streak.
Crosby exited Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils for an eight-minute stretch due to an undisclosed injury but returned to the contest. The 37-year-old Crosby downplayed any injury concerns following the game but has stated after practice on Wednesday that he is being evaluated. Crosby has seven points (4G / 3A) during a five-game point streak.
Skinner will make his 36th start of the season when the Oilers travel to St. Louis on Tuesday. Skinner struggled his last time out, allowing four goals on 28 shots in a 4-3 loss in Toronto on Saturday. The 26-year-old netminder owns a 19-12-4 record and a .902 SV% on the season. He's a good bet to get back in the win column on Tuesday as the Oilers enter action at -170 on the money line.
Wotherspoon played in eight straight games but will be replaced by Michael Callahan in the lineup on Saturday. Wotherspoon has just two points (1G / 1A) in 30 games this season.
Heinen was acquired from Vancouver on Friday night and is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh in time for Saturday's game, but it's unclear if he will make his Penguins season debut or not. Heinen has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 51 games this season.
