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.
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.
Novak was a late scratch for Wednesday's game after seemingly suffering an injury in warmups and is considered day-to-day. Luke Evangelista will retain his spot in the lineup in place of Novak.
St. Ivany will take a seat on Thursday as Ryan Shea draws into the lineup in his place. St. Ivany is yet to register a point in 12 games this season.
Shea will make his first appearance since October 20th in the place of healthy scratch Jack St. Ivany. Shea has no points and two shots on goal in two games this season.
Novak was a late scratch for Wednesday's game after seemingly suffering an injury in warmups and is considered day-to-day. Luke Evangelista will likely retain his spot in the lineup in place of Novak.
Hayes is battling an upper-body injury and will not play in Thursday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 32-year-old Hayes has four points (3G / 1A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in six straight.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hayes is battling an upper-body injury and his status for Thursday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes is uncertain. The 32-year-old Hayes has four points (3G / 1A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in six straight.
Robert Bortuzzo will draw into Utah's lineup on Tuesday, sending Kolyachonok to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Kolyachonok had played all 12 games for Utah thus far, tallying four points (1G / 3A) and a -7 plus/minus while averaging 13:09 time-on-ice.
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.
Nedeljkovic allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Penguins' win over the Ducks on Thursday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Nedeljkovic to open the season and moved him to a 3.18 GAA and .890 SV% through four games. On Saturday, Nedeljkovic and the Penguins are -178 home favourites vs. the Canadiens.
Nedeljkovic allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Penguins' win over the Ducks on Thursday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Nedeljkovic to open the season and moved him to a 3.18 GAA and .890 SV% through four games. On Saturday, Nedeljkovic and the Penguins are -178 home favourites vs. the Canadiens.
Dewar is eligible to play with the Marlies for six days and three games as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. Upon returning from the Marlies, Dewar will be in the mix to play on the Maple Leafs' fourth line moving forward. Dewar had five points (1G / 4A) in 17 games after being traded to Toronto last season.
Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but is finally ready to make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.
Joseph played six straight games for the Blues but will be a healthy scratch on Thursday after recording a -4 plus/minus in his last outing, an 8-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Scott Perunovich will draw into the lineup as Joseph's replacement.
The Penguins are in a heap of trouble, being outscored 27-13 during a six-game losing skid (0-5-1), and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes. Unsurprisingly, given the Penguins' struggles, Nedeljkovic is still searching for his first victory, sporting a troubling 3.94 GAA and .874 SV% in three games (0-2-1). Despite his struggles, Nedeljkovic has kept his team afloat at times, especially early in games, saving 34 of 35 first-period shots on goal (.971 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as rare -176 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has only scored 21 goals this season, the fewest in the league.
