Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust has been labeled as a “game-time decision” in advance of his team’s home game against the Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

Coach Mike Sullivan provided a status on Rust following a morning skate.

Currently designated to long-term injured reserve due to an undisclosed ailment, Rust has been sidelined for the past 10 games.

His potential return could come with a different assignment. Typically deployed on the first line, he skated on the second line during the morning skate.

All four lines were:

59 Jake Guentzel – 87 Sidney Crosby – 67 Rickard Rakell

19 Reilly Smith – 71 Evgeni Malkin – 17 Bryan Rust

10 Drew O’Connor – 20 Lars Eller – 48 Valtteri Puustinen

43 Jansen Harkins – 55 Noel Acciari – 77 Jeff Carter

Despite missing 13 games overall this season due to various undisclosed injuries, Rust is fourth on the team with 10 goals while posting 20 points overall in 22 games this season. He has averaged 18:53 of ice time per contest.

To formally activate Rust from long-term injured reserve, the Penguins will likely assign a handful of players to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Reserve forward Vinnie Hinostroza and defenseman Ryan Shea are leading candidates for such an assignment.

Forward Matt Nieto, currently designated to regular injured reserve, could be transferred to long-term injured reserve as well. An undisclosed ailment has sidelined him for the past 13 games.

Sullivan indicated Nieto continues to rehabilitate his injury off the ice.

Notes:

• The Penguins’ defensive pairings were:

28 Marcus Pettersson – 58 Kris Letang

27 Ryan Graves – 65 Erik Karlsson

7 John Ludvig – 2 Chad Ruhwedel

• Their first power-play group was composed of Crosby, Guentzel, Karlsson, Malkin and Rakell. The second power play group included Carter, Eller, Letang, Rust and Smith.

• In addition to Hinostroza and Shea, reserve defenseman P.O Joseph and forward Radim Zohorna (as well forward Jesse Puljujarvi, a tryout invitee) participated in the morning skate.

• The Penguins are expected to start goaltender Tristan Jarry. In 24 games this season, Jarry has an 11-11-2 record, a 2.47 goals against average, a .916 save percentage and four shutouts.

Throughout his career, Jarry has faced the Capitals in 11 games, posting a 6-4-0 record, a 2.80 goals against average and two shutouts.

• Smith has played in 799 career games.

• The Capitals are scheduled to start goaltender Darcy Kuemper. In 18 games this season, Kuemper has an 8-8-2 record, a 3.16 goals against average and an .892 save percentage.

Throughout his career, Kuemper has played the Penguins in eight contests and posted a 3-4-1 record, a 3.08 goals against average and .910 save percentage.

• Capitals defenseman John Carlsson has 499 career assists.

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