Rust scored a goal and added two assists in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Rust has 30 points on the season, 11 of which have come in his last nine games. And those 30 points are a new career mark. Rust is basking in the glow of super-hot linemate Evgeni Malkin and should be rolling in all formats.

Rust scored two goals on two shots while adding an assist, two blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

He had a chance at a hat trick in the closing seconds of the game, but rang a shot off the crossbar and got to watch Evgeni Malkin bury the rebound instead to complete his own hat trick. Rust hadn't lit the lamp since Nov. 27, tallying only five assists in his last 14 games, so while Tuesday's performance did bring back memories of his eight-points-in-six-games start to the season, it's unlikely he'll repeat it any time soon.

Rust recorded an assist and one shot through 16:43 of ice time during Tuesday's 3-1 win over Carolina.

EDGE Analysis

Rust missed the previous 11 games with an upper-body injury, so it was encouraging to see him return to the lineup and mark the scoresheet Tuesday. However, his most frequent linemate was Tom Kuhnhackl, and he skated primarily in a depth role. Without a scoring gig, it will be difficult for Rust to be a reliable fantasy asset in most settings.

Rust (upper body) is no longer listed on injured reserve, per the NHL's official media site.

EDGE Analysis

This corroborates speculation that Rust will be ready to play in Tuesday's home game against the Hurricanes, despite Penguins coach Mike Sullivan's infamous habit of designating all of his injured players "game-time decisions." We suspect that the fourth-year winger will have rust to shake off -- no pun intended -- in this next contest, seeing as how he's missed the past 11 games. As a result, it's probably best to take a wait-and-see approach with him in fantasy leagues.

Rust (upper body) will be a game-time decision versus Carolina on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Reading between the lines, coach Mike Sullivan prefers to announce a player as a game-time call, rather than outright saying he will play, when returning from injury. Additionally, the team sent Daniel Sprong down to the minors in order to clear room under the 23-man limit, which allows them to activate Rust off injured reserve. Finally, Ryan Reaves was the last forward off the ice for the game-day skate, per Jonathan Bombulie of TribLive.com, an indication that Reaves won't be in the lineup. All signs point to Rust suiting up against the Hurricanes on Tuesday, but don't expect official confirmation until warm-ups.

Rust (upper body) took part in practice Monday, including taking contact.

EDGE Analysis

Absorbing contact is a significant step in the right direction for Rust, who has been sidelined since Dec. 27 due to his upper-body injury. The winger's status ahead of Tuesday's matchup with Carolina remains unclear, but if he is given the all-clear, Tom Kuhnhackl could find himself relegated to the press box. Don't be surprised to see coach Mike Sullivan describe Rust as a game-time decision leading into his return from injury.

Rust will be sidelined for an extended stretch after suffering an upper-body injury Wednesday versus Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Mike Sullivan didn't provide a specific timeline for Rust's absence, but "long term" is certainly not an encouraging phrase. While it has not officially happened, the paperwork placing the winger on IR is probably already headed to the league offices. Dominik Simon figures to slot into the lineup in Rust's stead with a call-up from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton likely to be announced soon -- almost certainly Daniel Sprong, who leads the Baby Pens with 24 points.

Rust was limited to just 10:06 for an undisclosed reason, but coach Mike Sullivan indicated he did not have an update on the winger's status following the contest.

EDGE Analysis

Rust posted an assist and a shot on goal before exiting mysteriously. There was no apparent injury reported at the time of his departure, making his absence from the remainder of the game slightly puzzling. More information on his status will likely surface in the coming days.

Rust picked up an assist in a 5-1 victory against the Sabres on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old started the season extremely hot, but he cooled off towards the end of October, and then stayed that way for most of November. But he's beginning to contribute again even in other ways besides scoring. Last week, Rust had games with six shots on goal and four penalty minutes. There's room for more scoring as well since his 7.7 shooting percentage this season is a tab low compared to his career 9.1 mark.

Rust's hot start to the year -- eights points in six games -- has ground to a halt.

EDGE Analysis

Unsurprisingly, Rust's failure to get on the scoresheet saw him dropped from the Pens' second line, where he was playing with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, into a bottom-six role. If the 25-year-old Rust continues to struggle, don't be surprised if coach Mike Sullivan drops him from the game-day lineup for a couple games in favor of Josh Archibald.