During a preseason often focused on evaluating prospects, a seasoned Pittsburgh Penguins player took charge in their first game of 2026. Veteran forward Bryan Rust delivered an excellent performance, scoring once and assisting twice, helping the Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-1. This victory extends their preseason winning streak to six games, tying for the third-longest in franchise history, as noted by team historian Bob Grove.
Rust’s teammates on the scoresheet included Connor Dewar, Avery Hayes, and Elmer Soderblom, who sealed the win with an empty-net goal near the end of the game. The Sabres’ only goal came on a late-second-period power play, scored by Jake Richard.
Overall, the Penguins brought a strong, cohesive effort to kick off what is a shortened and intensified preseason. They are set to face the Detroit Red Wings at home on Tuesday, followed by away games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Sabres on Thursday and Friday. Hayes emphasized the importance of seizing every day of training camp, noting the fast pace and the need to avoid regrets.
Midway through the first period, Andrei Kuzmenko, playing alongside Rust and Ben Kindel (who was soon injured and did not return), fed Rust, who skated purposefully into the offensive zone. Rust navigated through several defenders and set up Dewar for a quick finish, giving the Penguins an early 1-0 lead.
Midway through the second, Buffalo committed two penalties, giving the Penguins a five-on-three advantage. On the resulting play, Kris Letang passed to Hendrix Lapierre and eventually to Rust in the slot, who scored to make it 2-0. Later, with less than five seconds remaining in the second, Hayes caused a turnover behind the Sabres’ net and scored a top-shelf shot, restoring the two-goal lead and helping the Penguins secure the win.
Rust commented on the late goal, saying it was a momentum-shifting effort that could inspire the team moving forward. His standout play and leadership set the tone early in the preseason, demonstrating his value and influence in the locker room.
Some notes from the game:
- Rust was undoubtedly the top performer, consistently noticeable since training camp began, showcasing qualities reminiscent of Sidney Crosby and exemplifying strong leadership.
- Kindel, who suffered an injury early, did not return for the second period; his status remains uncertain, which could be a setback given the Penguins’ current roster depth.
- The injury led to Tristan Broz stepping in, and he impressed with his all-around smart, confident play and a powerful shot, positioning himself as a potential fill-in for the upcoming season.
- Several players, including Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke, showed promising development, with improvements in defensive decision-making suggesting they are NHL-ready, even if they start in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
- Ryan Graves logged the most ice time among Penguins skaters, while Chase Pietila’s smart and risk-averse play distinguished him as a player to watch.
- Veteran stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are expected to participate against Detroit, along with prospects Liam and Markus Ruck, highlighting the strong competition and depth in the roster for the upcoming season.
The Penguins also announced their roster for Tuesday’s game, which features a mix of veterans and promising prospects, setting the stage for an exciting preseason ahead.
Fan Take: Rust’s dominant performance reaffirms his importance to the Penguins, boosting team confidence early in the preseason. For hockey fans, it’s encouraging to see prospects like Broz and others stepping up, signaling a bright future and increased competition that will make the winter season particularly thrilling.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
