Rust (upper body) returned to action with a bang Sunday, recording a goal and an assist in a 7-0 Game 5 romp over Ottawa.

EDGE Analysis

He'd been quiet against both the Caps and Sens, but Sunday marked an strong return. Rust brings a buzzsaw approach to the ice and his aggressive speed was too much for Ottawa to contain.

Rust (upper body) will return to the lineup for Sunday's Game 5 against the Senators, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rust couldn't lace up the skates for the team's last two contests, but will return to action in a pivotal Game 5 matchup in Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old winger has gone quiet in the last couple series, totaling just one point in nine games between the Capitals and Senators, but he did notch five points in five games during the team's first-round matchup against the Blue Jackets.

Rust (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's Game 5 against Ottawa, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The winger has missed the last two games after leaving during Game 2. With Tom Kuhnhackl out and Patric Hornqvist questionable, the Penguins could need to dig deep in the depth chart at the wing position for Game 5.

Rust (upper body) remains day-to-day ahead of Sunday's Game 5 clash with the Senators, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rust has missed the past two games of the series, and we're guessing fans of the Pens are eager for the energy winger to return after watching him emerge for six goals and nine points over a mere 11:31 of ice time en route to the Stanley Cup last season. He's skated to a minus-3 rating with just one point (an assist) following the conclusion of the quarterfinal series against the Blue Jackets, but there's no reason to think Rust wouldn't be able to make an impact in the series if healthy.

As expected, Rust (upper body) won't be in the lineup for Friday's Game 4 against the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

Rust participated in an optional on-ice session Friday morning, but the speedy winger evidently still hasn't fully recovered from the upper-body injury he sustained in the first period of Monday's Game 2. Forwards Patric Hornqvist (upper body) and Tom Kuhnhackl (lower body) will also both miss Game 4, so Pittsburgh may opt to dress seven defensemen Friday to try and contain a Senators offense that potted five goals in Game 3.

Rust (upper body) isn't likely to draw into the lineup for Game 4 against the Senators on Friday, Chris Johnston of SportsNet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

With five goals so far in 14 playoff games, Rust is at risk to miss his second straight contest after leaving in the first period of Game 2. Tom Kuhnhackl could continue to rotate in if Rust is unable to go, and that seems likely as head coach Mike Sullivan declared him "probably not probable."

Rust (undisclosed) will not be in Wednesday's Game 3 lineup against the Senators, Pens Inside Scoop reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rust ended up traveling to Ottawa, but he still has the day-to-day label that can be so maddening for fantasy owners deciding what to do with their roster assets. At any rate, we suspect that Tom Kuhnhackl will find his way off the bench to replace Rust.

Rust (undisclosed) is traveling with the team ahead of Wednesday's Game 3 in Ottawa and has been labeled day-to-day after receiving an evaluation from team doctors, Jerry DiPaola of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

While it's certainly a positive that Rust is able to travel with the team after departing Monday's contest with his injury, there's no guarantee that he'll be able to suit up for the crucial Game 3. If he isn't able to go, Tom Kuhnhackl could draw into the lineup after serving as a healthy scratch for the last three games.

Rust left Monday's Game 2 victory over the Senators with an undisclosed injury in the first period. Head coach Mike Sullivan did not have an update on his status after the game, according to Wes Crosby of NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

Rust was absolutely leveled by Sens blueliner Dion Phaneuf and departed the contest after just three shifts and 1:43 of ice time. It's unclear at this point as to the specific nature or severity of Rust's injury, so those making use of him for fantasy purposes should look for other options, if possible, until the team releases further information on his status. The puck drops on Game 3 -- this time in Ottawa -- on Wednesday.

Rust scored the game-winning goal Wednesday in Game 7 against the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

The Michigan native picked a fantastic time to score his first point of the series. Rust's tally, his fifth of the playoffs, came 8:49 into the second period and was all the Pens would need to head to their second straight Eastern Conference Final, as netminder Marc-Andre Fleury pitched his ninth career postseason shutout.