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.
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.
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.
“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.
Good pass, great goal. pic.twitter.com/koVpNfF9jB
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 16, 2018
“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.
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.