Pittsburgh Penguins News

Rust has been out since December 27th but he is expected to replace Ryan Reaves in the lineup on Tuesday. Rust collected four goals and 14 assists (18 points) in 38 games before getting hurt.

Hayes left the Rangers game on Sunday and cancelled his plans to travel during the bye week and returned to New York to receive treatment. The Rangers will practice on Friday and if Hayes can’t get on the ice, he’ll likely miss their back-to-back on Saturday/Sunday.

Aho had no points with three shots and a minus-4 rating in his first two career NHL games. He will take a seat tonight in Philadelphia with Dennis Seidenberg replacing him on the blueline.

Mantha has missed the last two games but he took the ice for Tuesday’s practice and said that he will play tonight vs. the Senators. Mantha had a hot-start to the season, picking up 10 goals and nine assists (19 points) in his first 19 games, but has just five points (3G / 2A) in his last 17 games. He is expected to skate on a line with Dylan Larkin and Tomas Tatar.

Letang has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury but was on the ice for today’s morning skate and will be a game-time decision in Philadelphia. Letang’s offensive numbers are strong this season, posting two goals and 23 assists (25 points) in 37 games but is a minus-15, which lowers his value in leagues that track plus-minus.

Letang took the ice for the Penguins morning skate but stayed on late which indicates that he will be scratched for the third consecutive game. Being available this morning suggests that Letang may be ready for Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia.

Mantha was on the ice for the Red Wings morning skate and said that he is feeling better, but won't play tonight. Mantha is hopeful that he will return on Wednesday and his absence tonight means Tyler Bertuzzi will remain on the top line.

Mantha is dealing with a “nagging” injury according to head coach Jeff Blashill, leaving him as a game-time decision vs. the Rangers. Monitor Mantha’s status when the Red Wings hit the ice for warmups at 7:00 pm ET.

Rust left Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury and the Penguins announced that he will be out “longer term.” The Penguins will likely have to dig into their farm system to find some forward depth with Rust out.

Letang will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury but it doesn’t sound like he will be sidelined for an extended period of time because the Penguins expect him to join the team at some point during their brief three-game road trip.

Aho has recorded nine goals and 11 assists (20 points) in 29 games with the Sound Tigers in his first season in North America. The Swedish defenseman could make his NHL debut with Johnny Boychuk (lower-body) landing on IR on Thursday.