Bryan Rust continues Game 7 success, scores first for Penguins (Video)

Bryan Rust has a tendency to perform well in big games for the Penguins, and he broke an even score in the second period of Game 7.

Bryan Rust was a big piece of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ postseason run in their 2016 Stanley Cup win, and he proved his importance tonight in the second period of Game 7.

In a do-or-die game against the Washington Capitals on the road, Rust opened up the scoring for the Penguins off of a beautiful pass from Jake Guentzel. The pass just barely missed the stick of Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov, and Rust lifted the puck perfectly past Braden Holtby in net.

The goal put the Penguins up 1-0 midway through the second period, with the winner of the game advancing to play the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference finals.

Rust is no stranger to Game 7 success for the Penguins, as he was a key part of their Game 7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016 postseason. Rust tallied all two goals in that pivotal game for the Penguins, and also opened the scoring in the Stanley Cup Finals last year against the San Jose Sharks.

He tallied nine points, with six goals and three assists for the Penguins in their Stanley Cup title run last year. He played in 57 games in the regular season, only scoring a little over double his postseason total from last season with 15 goals.

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Rust’s return to success in this postseason is more than welcomed from Penguins fans, who saw their team squander a 3-1 series lead over the Capitals, and now find themselves fighting for survival in this Game 7. Head coach Mike Sullivan put Rust on a line with Sidney Crosby and Guentzel, which he said allows Rust to utilize his speed with his talented offensive line mates.

The team will need continued production from Rust in the crucial Game 7 if they have any hope of surviving on the road.