Monday, January 27, 2025, 9:09PM |  37°
MENU
Advertisement
Derick Brassard, Bryan Rust and Phil Kessel celebrate Kessel's goal Thursday in Montreal.
2
MORE

Bryan Rust brings a jolt of life to the Penguins' third line

Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP

Bryan Rust brings a jolt of life to the Penguins' third line

MONTREAL — One of the most intriguing uncertainties facing the Penguins heading into the final weeks of the regular season is how trade-deadline acquisition Derick Brassard and Phil Kessel will mesh on the third line.

The answer, as it turns out, my hinge more on a different player entirely.

Bryan Rust has slid in on Brassard’s left wing for the last two games, since his return from a concussion, and has injected that unit with a jolt of speed and energy.

Advertisement

In two games, those three players have combined for six points. Brassard has two assists in the last two contests after just one goal and one assist in his first seven games with the Penguins.

Matt Murray returned to practice Saturday after missing a month because of a concussion.
Jason Mackey
As 'big key' Matt Murray returns, drive to postseason awaits Penguins

Mike Sullivan said Rust’s presence has brought “speed, energy [and] puck-pursuit” to the Brassard-Kessel unit.

The numbers back up the idea that Rust is bringing something new to that line. Though the sample size is certainly limited, Brassard has a higher Corsi For percentage (CF%) when he’s on the ice with Rust as compared to any other Penguins player, according to NaturalStatTrick.com. This is, pretty clearly, the best Brassard has looked offensively since joining the Penguins last month.

That’s not necessarily surprising. Rust’s versatility and energy have allowed him to make just about every line he has played on this season better. He has the third highest relative CF% (the difference in CF% when a player is on the ice versus off) behind only Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang.

Advertisement

“He’s a disruptive player,” Sullivan said. “He disrupts breakouts for our opponents, forces errant passes. And when he gets the puck, he’s got decent hockey sense. He has the ability to make a play. He makes a great play [Thursday] on Phil’s goal on the 2-on-1.”

Right now, Kessel and Brassard are the ones benefiting from Rust’s presence. Rust and Kessel hooked up for two 2-on-1 breaks Thursday night against the Canadiens, with Rust one ringing off the post and Kessel burying the second one.

“We were rewarded with a goal tonight,” Rust said Thursday. “I probably should’ve scored earlier when Phil gave me a back-door pass, but I was fortunate enough to give him one.”

Kessel also has a history of playing well with Rust on his opposite wing, too. The two frequently have played together around Evgeni Malkin or, last year, Nick Bonino. This season, Rust and Kessel have a 58.36 CF% when on the ice together, Kessel’s best with any teammate other than Crosby.

Penguins Evgeni Malkin, center, celebrates with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang after scoring against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period on Thursday, in Montreal.
Sam Werner
Penguins bounce back with 5-3 win against Canadiens

Rust’s up-and-down speed plays well with Kessel’s ability to find space and shoot the puck unlike few players in the league.

“I think we’re just darting in and out of space, trying to get open for each other,” Rust said. “Just making plays when they’re there and playing simple when we’ve had to.”

They may be keeping it simple, but the result is a third line that looks like it has the potential to stick together as the postseason approaches. If Rust, Brassard and Kessel — the RBK line? The PBR line? — keep up this level of offensive dominance, they’ll give the Penguins a lethal third scoring unit for the third year in a row.

While he has played a pretty significant role, Rust has had a front-row seat to Brassard and Kessel getting accustomed to one another on the ice.

“Their chemistry’s definitely building,” he said. “You can see it. They’re finding each other on the ice now, they’re making plays. I just try to get in there, work hard, use my speed to try and create some space. Make plays when I can.”

Sam Werner: swerner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @SWernerPG.

First Published: March 16, 2018, 5:43 p.m.

RELATED
Riley Sheahan celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal Wednesday in New York against the Rangers.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Jason Mackey's Penguins chat transcript: 3.15.18
The Penguins' Zach Aston-Reese works his way through the Sabres defense during a preseason game in September at Penn State.
Dave Molinari
The Penguins have no problem going back to college
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey spoke Monday to members of the Pennsylvania Press Club in Harrisburg.
1
news
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey says his administration will not work with ICE
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II walks around the field before an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Denver.
2
sports
Art Rooney II gives Mike Tomlin vote of confidence, admits Steelers unlikely to re-sign both QBs
T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on as the Baltimore Ravens huddle during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland.
3
sports
Brian Batko's Steelers chat transcript: 01.27.25
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, center, calls timeout during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. The Steelers won 16-10.
4
sports
Jason Mackey: Steelers' offseason has been tough to predict and understand
Visitors to the Three Rivers Arts Festival check out the Artist Market last year.
5
a&e
Three Rivers Arts Festival will move this year to the Strip District
Derick Brassard, Bryan Rust and Phil Kessel celebrate Kessel's goal Thursday in Montreal.  (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Bryan Rust has three points in two games since returning from a concussion.  (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story