Rust skated to a plus-2 rating to complement an assist and eight shots on goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

While Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin often steal the show for the Pens, it's important to keep close tabs on Rust. He holds a top-line role and ranks 19th in the entire league in shots with 39 through 11 games. Better yet, Rust has only missed the scoresheet in three contests this season.

Rust scored his first goal of the season on a career-high 11 shots in Friday's 4-3 shootout win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old extended his point streak to four games with a tally midway through the first period, and then spent the rest of the night firing rubber at Igor Shesterkin without any further success. Rust had a career year in 2019-20, but the early results this season suggest his 27-goal, 56-point campaign was no fluke.

Rust produced a power-play assist and went minus-2 in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Canadiens in Game 3.

EDGE Analysis

Rust got on the scoresheet for the third time in the series with his helper on Jason Zucker's first-period tally. With a goal and two helpers in three contests, Rust is showing his regular season numbers -- 27 goals and 29 helpers in 56 games -- weren't a fluke. The 28-year-old winger could make for a solid DFS option Friday.

Rust posted an assist and two PIM in Monday's 3-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 2.

EDGE Analysis

Rust found Jake Guentzel in the third period for the latter's empty-net tally to secure the win. Through two games, Rust has a goal, an assist, four shots and four hits. The 28-year-old produced career highs in goals (27) and points (56) in 55 contests during the regular season, and he remains in a top-six role on Evgeni Malkin's line.

Rust scored a power-play goal on two shots in Pittsburgh's overtime defeat to Montreal on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Rust was able to bang home a loose puck in front of the net on the ice with the No. 2 power-play unit. The winger figures to continue filling a role with the man advantage and could be moved up to the top group if coach Mike Sullivan shuffles the deck on the heals of the club's 1-for-7 performance Saturday.

Rust has 56 points with a team-leading 27 goals and a plus-14 rating in 55 games this season.

EDGE Analysis

Despite missing the first 11 games of the season with a hand injury, Rust has kicked his game up to a new level. His 27 goals, 29 assists, plus-14 rating and 151 shots on goal are all new career highs. The 27-year-old Notre Dame product has turned himself into one of the Penguins' most important wingers this season.

Rust scored three goals, one on the power play, in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

It's his second three-point performance in 14 games since the beginning of February, but Rust has only two other points (a goal and a helper) during that stretch. Despite his recent erratic production, the 27-year-old winger is now up to 27 goals and 53 points, both career highs, through 51 contests.

Rust scored a goal on four shots in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Rust reached the 50-point mark with his team-leading 24th goal of the year. The 27-year-old winger has added 138 shots, 67 hits and a plus-18 rating through 48 appearances in his breakout season. After a cold spell to start February, Rust has managed five points, 14 hits and 13 shots through his last five outings.

Rust scored a goal and two assists, with all but one helper coming on the power play, in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

The winger snapped a six-game point drought with the outburst, but seeing time with the man advantage alongside Sidney Crosby can have that effect. Rust has already put together the best season of his career, and the 27-year-old is now up to 23 goals and 48 points through 44 games.

Rust was held off the scoresheet for the fourth straight game in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Rust has already set career highs in goals (22) and points (45) this season, but his recent slump could be a concern for coach Mike Sullivan. Still, moving Rust off the second line with Evgeni Malkin is not likely to be a point of discussion for the coaching staff unless Rust's slump continues to drag on. The winger will look to get back on track versus Montreal on Friday.