As if the Pittsburgh Penguins were having enough problems staying healthy, they might be without another key contributor to their offense.
On Sunday, head coach Mike Sullivan said forward Bryan Rust is being evaluated for an upper-body injury, and is unsure if Rust will be able to join the team’s upcoming road trip out west.
The injury occurred during the Penguins’ 7-6 win over the rival Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. Rust was involved in a collision in the neutral zone during the second period, and left the game shortly before teammate Drew O’Connor scored.
Rust was having one of his best games of the season. In 14:57 of ice time, the 31-year-old scored two goals and an assist, giving Rust six goals in his last seven games.
Rust is reportedly still scheduled to travel with Pittsburgh for their four-game trip, which begins on Tuesday night with a matchup against the league-leading Vancouver Canucks.
It has been a rough season for the Pontiac, Michigan native. He has missed 13 games this season, sitting out three games in November with a lower-body injury, before being held out of the lineup for 10 games the following month with an upper-body injury.
When Rust has been in the lineup, he has been effective. In 42 appearances, the 2010 third-round pick has 18 goals and 18 assists, good for sixth on the Penguins in scoring.
The Penguins are also without another top scorer, as Jake Guentzel is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
Heading into their road trip, Pittsburgh (26-21-8) is sixth in the Metropolitan Division, seven points back of the Flyers for third. They are also eight points back of the Detroit Red Wings for the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
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