Rust suffered an injury late in the preseason and has been sidelined since. The 34-year-old Rust matched a career high with 65 points (29G / 36A) in 72 games last season. He has had success in the past on lines with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but the team's offence has been rolling through three games this season so they may insert Rust onto the third line alongside Ben Kindel.
Kuzmenko was away from the team to start the season while tending to the death of his father. The 30-year-old Kuzmenko played two games for Pittsburgh, but he will return to the sidelines on their upcoming road trip. He is averaging 12:00 time-on-ice and has zero points through two games this season.
Sergei Murashov had a decent outing in his season debut last game, but the team will turn to Silovs to start for the third time in four games to start the season. The 25-year-old Silovs was outstanding in his season opener, saving all 19 shots he faced in a 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but was not nearly as dominant in his following outing, allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) while managing to salvage a 6-5 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The Penguins enter Wednesday's contest as +139 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that is 1-1-0 this season.
Sergei Murashov had a decent outing in his season debut last game, but the team will turn to Silovs to start for the third time in four games to start the season. The 25-year-old Silovs was outstanding in his season opener, saving all 19 shots he faced in a 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but was not nearly as dominant in his following outing, allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) while managing to salvage a 6-5 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The Penguins enter Wednesday's contest as +139 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that is 1-1-0 this season.
Rust suffered an injury late in the preseason and has been sidelined since. The 34-year-old Rust matched a career high with 65 points (29G / 36A) in 72 games last season. He has has success in the past playing on lines with Sidney Crosby and with Evgeni Malkin, so it is unclear where he will line up when he is cleared to play.
Murashev made his NHL debut last season, recording a 2.56 GAA and .897 SV% in five appearances (1-1-2). The 22-year-old goalie is expected to play a larger role this season, possibly in a timeshare, but his debut has been delayed by a strong opening two games from Arturs Silovs (2-0-0). Still, hopes are high for Murashov this season, who has excelled at every other level, including posting a solid 2.20 GAA and .919 SV% last season in 38 games (24-9-4) with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). Pittsburgh enters the action on Monday as -175 home favourites against the Winnipeg Jets, who are coming off a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings yesterday.
Filip Hallander will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets, allowing Koivunen to re-enter the lineup. The 23-year-old Koivunen was solid in his season debut, scoring one goal in 13:50 time-on-ice.
Murashev made his NHL debut last season, recording a 2.56 GAA and .897 SV% in five appearances (1-1-2). The 22-year-old goalie is expected to play a larger role this season, possibly in a timeshare, but his debut has been delayed by a strong opening two games from Arturs Silovs (2-0-0). Still, hopes are high for Murashov this season, who has excelled at every other level, including posting a solid 2.20 GAA and .919 SV% last season in 38 games (24-9-4) with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). Pittsburgh enters the action on Monday as -175 home favourites against the Winnipeg Jets, who are coming off a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings yesterday.
Gustafsson was placed on waivers Saturday but went unclaimed and has now been assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) on Sunday. The 26-year-old was acquired in a trade with Winnipeg in June for Jack St. Ivany but has yet to appear for the Penguins after putting up two goals and six points in 36 games last season.
Kindel suffered a lower-body early in the preseason and has been sidelined since. He did not play in Pittsburgh's season-opening 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but he was back at practice as a full participant on Thursday. The 19-year-old forward enters his sophomore season after scoring 35 points (17G / 18A) in 77 games with Pittsburgh in 2025-26.
Lizotte did not participate in training camp due to a lower-body injury, but was activated from Injured Reserve on time to play in Pittsburgh's season opener on Wednesday. He played 13:13 time on ice in a 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but he will return to the sidelines with a lower-body injury. The team has not yet provided a concrete update, but he will not practice Thursday and will be re-evaluated.
For a second straight season, Arturs Silovs will be Pittsburgh's opening night starter as they take on the Flyers in Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 25-year-old goalie is entering his second full season with Pittsburgh after an up-and-down 2025-26 season that saw him post a 19-12-8 record, 3.07 GAA and .888 SV% across 38 starts. He will head to Philadelphia for an interstate battle vs. the rival Flyers, who finished 2025-26 tied with the Penguins with 98 points and a 43-27-12 record.
Rust will begin the 2026-27 season sidelined, as he recovers from an upper-body injury. The 34-year-old Rust matched a career high with 65 points (29G / 36A) in 72 games last season. Penguins' newcomer Nicholas Robertson has a chance to see an elevated role during Rust's absence.
Rust will not be available for Sunday's practice session and is considered questionable to play in the Penguins' season opener until he's evaluated and the team releases more information.
Brazeau's 2026-27 campaign is already off to a rough start after Pittsburgh announced on Friday that the 28-year-old bottom-six winger left practice with a lower-body injury and is uncertain of his status for the team's opener. Brazeau missed 18 games in 2025-26 due to injury but still put up an impressive 17 goals, 34 points and 104 SOG in 64 games in his first season in Pittsburgh.
