NHL Status Report: Rust game-time decision for Penguins

Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Bryan Rust will be a game-time decision when the Penguins visit the Washington Capitals on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT). The forward was a full participant in practice Tuesday after missing the first three games of the season with an upper-body injury he sustained Pittsburgh's preseason finale against the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 26. … Penguins coach Dan Muse said the NHL has granted forward Andrei Kuzmenko non-roster status following the death of his father Alexander on Sept. 24. After returning to Russia to mourn his father, Kuzmenko rejoined Penguins on Oct. 2 and played in their past two games. Muse said Kuzmenko will continue to skate with the Penguins but will not play on this road trip against the Capitals and at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. "For us it's just helping him, No. 1, being there for him as a human being, which is always the priority, and it absolutely is right now," Muse said. "And also, just working with him on just getting back up to speed after some time off."

Washington Capitals

Matt Roy will not play for the Capitals in their home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT), coach Spencer Carbery said. Roy, who did not participate in the optional morning skate, remains day to day. The defenseman missed practice Monday and Tuesday after he was injured during a 3-1 loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, leaving the game at 14:56 of the second period. Roy does not have a point in two games this season; he had 19 points (two goals, 17 assists), was plus-18 and averaged 20:37 of ice time in 79 games in 2025-26.

Chicago Blackhawks

Teuvo Teravainen did not play in the third period of a 4-2 win against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday because of a lower-body injury. Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said the forward would not travel with the team for their game at the New  York Islanders on Thursday and that the team would know more "in the next couple of days." Chicago also placed forward Andrew Mangiapane on injured reserve, retroactive to Sept. 29. The forward sustained a lower-body injury that day in Chicago's season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights and is listed as week to week. ... Forward Dominic Toninato was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.

Edmonton Oilers

Jason Dickinson is expected to make his season debut with the Oilers for the start of a three-game road trip that begins at the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; Prime Video, KCOP-13, SNW). The center sustained a foot injury blocking a shot against the San Jose Sharks on April 8 and played with it during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He reaggravated the injury during training camp. "If I'm being honest, I never quite got to 100 percent over the summer," Dickinson said. "I was making jumps, but it felt like every jump I made, I plateaued for a couple of weeks." Dickinson had four points (one goal, three assists) in 17 games for Edmonton after he was acquired in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks on March 4. He had three points (two goals, one assist) in four playoff games. The 31-year-old signed a five-year, $20 million contract ($4 million AAV) with Edmonton on June 21.

Colorado Avalanche

Forwards Logan O'Connor and Zachary L'Heureux practiced with the Avalanche on Tuesday and could make their season debuts at the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; Prime, ALT). Each has been out with a lower-body injury. O'Connor had two assists and was limited to 13 regular-season games last season because of hip surgery. L'Heureux, who was acquired in a trade with the Predators on June 24, had five points (four goals, one assist) in 25 games last season. After Wednesday, the Avalanche visit the Calgary Flames on Thursday. "I think they're both going to play in these two games," coach Jared Bednar said.

Detroit Red Wings

Forwards Mason Appleton and Marco Kasper are week to week for the Red Wings. Appleton was injured in a 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, playing 9:23. Kasper did not play in that game because of an upper-body injury. Forward J.T. Compher is day to day and dit not play in a 5-3 win against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.