Ruhwedel logged an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

With injuries piling up on the Penguins' blue line, Ruhwedel has appeared in three straight games. His helper was his first point in his last six contests. The 32-year-old defenseman has five assists, 34 shots on net, 77 hits, 41 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through 40 appearances. Even when he's in the lineup, he rarely sees more than bottom-four minutes.

Ruhwedel recorded two assists in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran defenseman was in and out of the lineup due to injury and went 27 games without getting onto the scoresheet from mid-November through the All-Star break, but he's suddenly produced three helpers in his last three games. Ruhwedel has never had more than 13 points in an NHL season, however, and 2022-23 doesn't figure to break that pattern given his lack of power-play time and bottom-pairing role.

Ruhwedel notched an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 6-3 win over the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel has been a scratch on occasion this season, but he's played in every game in 2023. He snapped a 27-game point drought with a secondary helper on Bryan Rust's third-period tally. Ruhwedel has just two assists through 32 contests overall while logging a small role on the Penguins' third pairing. While he's added 61 hits and 32 blocked shots, the 32-year-old is a non-factor in most fantasy formats.

Ruhwedel hasn't recorded a point since Nov. 11 versus Toronto, which is his only point this season.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel has never been an offensive force and frequently serves as the seventh defenseman on the depth chart. Once Jan Rutta (upper body) is cleared to play, Ruhwedel will almost certainly find himself watching from the press box as a healthy scratch.

Ruhwedel (upper body) had a minus-1 rating in a 2-1 loss to Boston in Monday's Winter Classic.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel also recorded two hits and a blocked shot in 11:13 of ice time. He had been held out of Pittsburgh's previous two games because of the injury. Ruhwedel has an assist, 23 hits and 16 blocks in 18 games this season. He hasn't registered a point in his last seven contests, but the 32-year-old has been credited with 10 hits and nine blocks over that span.

Ruhwedel (upper body) will be back in the lineup Monday against Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Pittsburgh will dress seven defensemen in the Winter Classic with Ruhwedel back in the fold. Ryan Poehling and Drew O'Connor are listed as scratches for the contest. Ruhwedel, who had been out since Dec. 27, has one assist, 10 shots on goal, 15 blocks and 21 hits in 17 games this season.

Ruhwedel (upper body) won't play Friday against New Jersey.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel also missed Wednesday's game versus Detroit because of the injury. He has an assist in 17 contests this season. Ty Smith is set to make his Penguins' debut on the third pairing with Brian Dumoulin.

Per Wes Crosby of NHL.com, Ruhwedel (upper body) is still being evaluated, indicating he won't be available for Wednesday's game versus the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel will miss at least one contest with the upper-body injury he sustained during Tuesday's loss to the Islanders. With Ruhwedel sidelined, look for Ty Smith or Mark Friedman to enter the lineup against Detroit.

Ruhwedel (undisclosed) exited Tuesday's game versus the Islanders in the second period, Taylor Haase of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel was in and out of the locker room, but left late in the second period and didn't return for the third. The 32-year-old defenseman has just one assist through 17 appearances this season, so he likely won't be missed much in fantasy. If Ruhwedel isn't able to play Wednesday versus the Red Wings, Mark Friedman would likely enter the lineup. Head coach Mike Sullivan clarified Ruhwedel is dealing with an upper-body injury, per Haase.

Ruhwedel was blanked against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel has been pressed into service with Kris Letang (illness) sidelined indefinitely but shouldn't be expected to replace Letang's offensive production. In his 10 appearances this year, Ruhwedel has just one helper, seven shots and 13 hits while averaging a mere 13:36 of ice time.