Guentzel, Rust having success playing with Crosby for Penguins

CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust have much in common, but their value to the Pittsburgh Penguins can be found in the differences.

Each forward was a third-round pick, Rust in the 2010 NHL Draft and Guentzel in the 2013 NHL Draft. Each has claimed a role on the top line with center Sidney Crosby. So in that way, Guentzel and Rust seem similar.
"That line has developed so much chemistry over the years," coach Mike Sullivan said. "It's hard for us to put a compelling argument together to split them up."
Left wing Guentzel leads the Penguins with 52 points (25 goals, 27 assists) in 47 games this season. Right wing Rust is fourth with 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 31 games entering a matchup against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, SN1, NHL LIVE).
Similar, yet they are different.
"[Rust] brings an element of speed," Sullivan said. "His relentless puck pursuit, he's just a dog on the bone on the puck. I think he creates opportunities for his line by utilizing his speed and his relentless play. I think his playmaking ability has really evolved over the years.
"Jake is just a guy with such a high hockey IQ and a nose for the net, and knack to finish. He's really good in the battle areas and the traffic at the net front. He plays the game with so much courage for a guy that's not the biggest guy (5-foot-11, 180 pounds), the strongest guy in the world."
The value of the top line would be difficult to exaggerate. Crosby, Guentzel and Rust have scored 16 of Pittsburgh's 28 goals in its past 10 games. But the Penguins (31-14-8) are 4-4-2 in those 10 games and have been outscored 14-5 in three straight losses.
Guentzel's steadiness has been noticeable ever since he averaged 0.83 points per game as a rookie in 2016-17. This season, the 27-year-old is averaging 1.11 points per game and has gone consecutive games without a point twice, in two straight games on Oct. 28 and 30 and three in a row from Jan. 23-27.
"I think each year, you think of things you want to come back and get better at," Guentzel said. "I think, for me, just more consistency. It's been a good year so far, but there's a lot of hockey left. So I think, for me, I just have to stick to what I've been doing."

Rust hasn't been as consistent, this season or in his NHL career.
The 29-year-old scored one goal in his first 11 games this season. Separate lower-body injuries sidelined him for 18 of Pittsburgh's first 30 games before he scored five points (three goals, two assists) against the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 2.
Rust has scored 17 goals in his past 20 games, something that didn't seem possible moving up and down the lineup when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017.
"I didn't envision 'Rusty' having the impact offensively in this league like he has right now," Sullivan said. "I think that's evolved over the course of time. … He has shown an ability to score some real big goals in a high-stakes environment on the game's greatest stage. I'm sure that's helped his confidence level."
Sullivan said playing with Crosby has led to that development. Rust agreed.
"As our line gets more continuity, I think we all get a little more comfortable with each other," Rust said. "I know Sid kind of thrives off that and being able to read off his linemates well. He's, obviously, been leading the charge for us. That's to be expected for him."
Crosby is second to Guentzel with 48 points (15 goals, 33 assists) this season. Guentzel has enjoyed that relationship for several seasons, scoring 146 goals in 346 games, mostly playing with the Penguins captain. Rust has come on in the past three seasons, averaging 0.47 goals per game after averaging 0.20 through his first five seasons.
The journey has been different. But the destination for Guentzel and Rust, a prominent spot on a line with Crosby during a quest to win the Stanley Cup again, has ultimately been the same.
"I see how they've grown up together," center Evgeni Malkin said. "Every year, they play better and better. Now, they're two of the best players on the team, for sure. These two guys are All-Star Game players. I hope they will be, maybe, in the Hall of Fame."