Bryan Rust tallies sixth hat trick of career as Penguins dominate Canadiens with nine goals

Andrew Destin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Dec 12, 2024

Published in Hockey

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Despite early-season injury and despite special teams obligations, Bryan Rust remains an offensive force for the Penguins. Thursday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal was the latest exhibition in as much.

Rust tallied the sixth hat trick of his NHL career, and first since Jan. 2, 2022, during the Penguins’ lopsided 9-2 victory against the Canadiens. The Penguins’ nine goals marked the most by any team in the league in a game this season.

Rust’s spectacular evening marked the ninth consecutive double-digit goal season for the 32-year-old. The veteran winger got it started in perhaps a most fitting fashion.

Rust broke a tie game midway through the second period with his signature power move. From the left faceoff circle, Rust charged toward the net and stuffed the puck around Montreal netminder Sam Montembeault’s left toe for his 10th goal of the year.

Just three minutes later, Rust doubled the Penguins' lead with an impressive snipe. Following a couple nifty backhand passes by Sidney Crosby and then Rickard Rakell, Rust scored from a nearly impossible angle in front of the goal line.

Then with the contest all but out of reach, Rust scored one of the easiest goals of his career. Crosby couldn’t quite slither the puck past Montembeault, but his efforts prompted the Canadiens goalie to vacate his net. Rust obliged for his 12th goal of the year, and third of the night.

Despite Rust’s excellent evening, it wasn’t a particularly pretty start for the Penguins. Kris Letang made an ill-advised pass at the blue line in the offensive zone just two minutes in, which the Canadiens intercepted and turned into an easy goal for Nick Suzuki off the rush.

The Penguins evened the score in the opening frame thanks to their red-hot power play. Rakell scored his 12th goal of the season before Rust put the Penguins up for good in the ensuing period.

While it was a one-goal game going into the final 20 minutes of regulation, the Penguins dominated from that juncture until the final horn. In addition to Rust, five other Penguins scored — Rakell, Letang, Anthony Beauvillier, Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari. Nieto’s goal was his first of the season, and in over a year.

Thanks to their offensive outburst, the Penguins have now won six of their past eight games, and moved within one game (13-14-5) of getting back to .500. Rust, as consistent a contributor as any for the Penguins this season, was at the forefront of that charge with one of the greatest regular season performances of his NHL career.

Ice chips

— Kevin Hayes was a healthy scratch for the first time this season. Nieto, who was a healthy scratch the last three games, filled in for the veteran forward at left wing on the fourth line.

— Michael Bunting and Drew O’Connor swapped spots at left wing on the second and third lines.

— Cody Glass centered the fourth line. It marked Glass’ first time centering a line since Nov. 2. Noel Acciari moved to right wing to make room for Glass.

— Tristan Jarry allowed a goal on the first shot he faced for the fifth time in 12 starts this season.

— Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk has four power-play assists across his last six games.

— According to broadcaster Phil Bourque on 105.9 The X, the Penguins will travel by train from Montreal to Ottawa after Friday afternoon’s practice. It marks the first time the Penguins are traveling via rail since 2012.

— The last Penguins player to produce a hat trick was Crosby on Nov. 14, 2023, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Stat n’at

1,026 — Assists by Crosby in his career, fifth-most in NHL history by a player with one team. He trails Mario Lemieux by seven assists for the Penguins’ franchise record, and fourth place all time in NHL history.

Coming up

The Penguins are scheduled to practice on Friday in Montreal at the Canadiens’ practice facility. They will then travel to Ottawa, and face the Senators on Saturday evening.