Penguins Fs Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell sidelined with injuries

Field Level Media|published: Tue 21st November, 17:55 2023

Nov 16, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. credits: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been thinned by injuries at forward, with wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell among those missing practice on Tuesday.

Rakell is out "longer term" with an upper-body injury, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan told reporters, while Rust is being checked out for a lower-body injury. Rust underwent an MRI on Tuesday, The Athletic reported.

Pittsburgh forward Matt Nieto took a maintenance day on Tuesday, while defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (lower-body) is also out week-to-week.

"Injuries are a part of the game," Sullivan said. "Every team goes through it, we're not different. We have to find a way to fill the voids when guys go down and find ways to win. Our expectation is that we have enough to win games.

"I think we have the depth at all the positions. It's going to provide the opportunity for others to step up here."

Rust, who plays on the top line with Sidney Crosby, is fifth on the Penguins this season with 16 points and tied for second with nine goals.

Rakell has provided four assists in 17 games, while Ruhwedel was already an injury replacement on the blue line with Pierre-Olivier Joseph (lower-body) on injured reserve.

—Field Level Media