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Pittsburgh Penguins News
Blomqvist will start on Friday in Washington.

After Alex Nedeljkovic was peppered for five goals on 18 shots (.722 SV%) in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Penguins will switch to Blomqvist between the pipes. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has not played since October 29th but has been serviceable when called upon, posting a 3.46 GAA and .909 SV% in six outings (2-4-0). The Penguins, welcoming Bryan Rust (lower body) back into the lineup, enter the action on Friday as +167 road underdogs against the Washington Capitals.

Joel Blomqvist
Rust (lower-body) will return to Pittsburgh's lineup on Friday in Washington.

Rust has not played since October 26th, missing the last five games, but will return to the lineup on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell thrived during Rust's absence, which could pose an obstacle for Rust returning to that top-line deployment.

Bryan Rust
Rust (lower-body) has been activated from IR.

Rust has not played since October 26th, missing the last five games, but could return to the lineup on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell has thrived during Rust's absence.

Bryan Rust
Dewar (shoulder) has been recalled from his LTIR condition loan and activated from LTIR.

Dewar has not played for the Maple Leafs yet this season but had two points (1G / 1A) in a one-game conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies (AHL). With Auston Matthews (undisclosed) being placed on IR, the Maple Leafs have been able to activate and recall Dewar.

Connor Dewar
Nedeljkovic will start Thursday in Carolina.

Despite being on the losing end of a 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders in their previous outing, the Penguins will roll with Nedeljkovic between the pipes for a fourth straight game. The 28-year-old Nedeljkovic has shown flashes of strong play, despite porous defensive coverage by his teammates at times, salvaging a 2.76 GAA and .900 SV% in six contests (2-2-2). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as sizeable +229 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes squad riding a seven-game winning streak.

Alex Nedeljkovic
Novak (undisclosed) is listed as a scratch for Wednesday's game against the Capitals.

Novak participated fully in warmups and his absence was not announced until just minutes before puck drop. We should expect to receive an update following the completion of Wednesday's game, but it seems likely Novak suffered some sort of injury in warmups.

Tommy Novak
Tomasino will draw back into Nashville's lineup on Wednesday in Washington.

Luke Evangelista and Mark Jankowski will be healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, allowing Philip Tomasino and Michael McCarron to re-enter the lineup. The 23-year-old Tomasino had an impressive 20 points (7G / 13A) in 41 games last season, but has been limited to zero points in four contests so far in the 2024-25 campaign.

Philip Tomasino
Rust (lower body) returned to full practice on Wednesday and may return during Pittsburgh's upcoming road trip.

Rust has missed four straight due to a lower-body injury but is nearing a return ahead of Pittsburgh's upcoming two-game road trip. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell has thrived during Rust's absence.

Bryan Rust
Nedeljkovic will start on Tuesday in New York.

The Penguins, winners of two straight, will roll with Nedeljkovic between the pipes for a third consecutive game on Tuesday when they visit the New York Islanders. Despite an unspectacular 2.75 GAA and .903 SV% through five games (2-2-1), Nedeljkovic has been tremendous in his last two outings (2-0-0), saving a combined 47 of 49 shots (.959 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Tuesday as +112 road underdogs against an Islanders club with only 28 goals through 12 games this season, the second-fewest in the NHL.

Alex Nedeljkovic