Today is the anniversary of the Penguins playing the Cleveland Barons for the first time. That happened in the Richfield Coliseum on Nov. 7, 1976, and the game ended in a 2-2 tie. The Barons didn’t last long, and several generations of hockey fans are likely unaware the NHL existed in Cleveland.

Although all eyes will be on Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin when the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals do battle on Friday night, the Pens could have a key player back in the lineup for the divisional clash.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have activated forward Bryan Rust off the injured reserve. Rust will play Friday vs. Washington Capitals. Rust was placed on the injured reserve at the start of the 2024-25 season.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Pittsburgh Penguins placed Bryan Rust on injured reserve on Tuesday. The team announced the news in a post on the social media platform X. Earlier on Tuesday, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan reportedly said Rust was "week-to-week with a lower-body injury."

The Pittsburgh Penguins have added Bryan Rust to their injured reserve. The Penguins announced Rust's change in status in an X post during their game against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena. ESPN reported Rust is out with a "lower body injury" and will not be active in Tuesday's game.