During Pittsburgh's run to the Stanley Cup in 2016, Rust became the eighth rookie in NHL history to score two goals in a Game 7, which came in the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. That marked his second two-goal game of the playoffs; he also scored twice in the clinching Game 5 in the first round against the New York Rangers.

It had seemed unlikely that the native of Pontiac, Michigan, would become a playoff hero on offense, as he was known more as a defensive forward and a tenacious forechecker and penalty-killer.

After completing a two-year stint with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, Rust attended Notre Dame, starting as a true freshman in 2010-11 shortly after being selected by the Penguins in the third round (No. 80) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

At Notre Dame, Rust was a reliable two-way forward who finished his career with a plus-53 rating in 161 games and was plus-25 his junior season. As a senior he served as an alternate captain and helped lead the Fighting Irish to the NCAA tournament. Rust ended his collegiate career tied for fifth on Notre Dame's all-time games-played list (161).

Rust played two games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League in 2013-14 and 45 games the following season before making his Penguins debut on Dec. 13, 2014. Two nights later he scored his first career goal in a 4-2 victory against the Lightning.

In helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2016, Rust scored six goals in the playoffs, including the first goal of the Final against the San Jose Sharks.

Rust scored 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 57 games in 2016-17 and had nine points (seven goals, two assists) in 23 playoffs games to help the Penguins repeat as champions.