Pittsburgh Penguins

Bryan Rust skated on an individual basis on Saturday for the first time since suffering a lower body injury on October 26.

The forward is on injured reserve and remains week to week.

Rust, normally a right winger on one of the top two lines, has four points (three goals, one assist) in eight games this season. He scored in a 4-3 loss on Oct. 26, but left favoring his right leg in the third period after struggling with Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander along the boards.

In the last two games without Rust, Evgeni Malkin moved from second-line center to first-line left wing with center Sidney Crosby. Rickard Rakell, who leads Pittsburgh with six goals in 12 games, has been the right winger.

Malkin is scheduled to play against the Montreal Canadiens at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, NHLN, SNE, CITY, TVAS). He participated in an optional morning workout after taking a maintenance day after Friday’s practice.

The Penguins (4-7-1) had lost six straight games (0-5-1) before Crosby scored twice in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.

“When you go through a skid like we had, it’s not an easy experience for any of us,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “Our players are proud guys. They’re accomplished guys. When things don’t go the right way, no one feels it more than them.” –Wes Crosby