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Player Safety is "reviewing" Bryan Rust for his incident with Brock Boeser, here's what this means
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Bryan Rust's elbow on Brock Boeser has Player Safety circling, and both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks feel the heat.
Sunday ended with a frantic crease scramble, then Boeser dropping to the ice at the horn.
Vancouver lost 3-2, and the moment instantly became the story instead of the result.
Sportsnet's clip shows Rust coming in from the slot and catching Boeser up high with an extended elbow.
Adam Foote called it a "vicious headshot," and Jake DeBrusk straight up labeled it "dirty."
On the ice, officials assessed Rust a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head.
As of Monday, January 26, there is no supplemental discipline yet, but it could be coming later today.
Bryan Rust puts Pittsburgh Penguins in a bind
Canucks fans are tired of "almost" moments turning into injuries, and Penguins fans are bracing for the wheel to spin on a key winger.
Boeser has 12-13-25 in 50 games, and Vancouver is sitting at 17-30-5, so losing him even short-term is a gut punch.
Rust is at 18-21-39 in 47 games, and he is not some disposable depth piece for Pittsburgh.
That's why "supplemental discipline expected" hits different, even before we know if it's a fine, a game, or more.
If Rust gets sat, the Penguins' top-six looks thinner fast, and the man advantage loses a familiar trigger man.
If Boeser misses time, the Canucks lose a net-front finisher and another reason to keep pushing through a rough year.
Now both fanbases wait for the league's call, and the next update on Boeser's status.
Update: There will be a hearing between Bryan Rust and the Department of Player Safety.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 26|236 ANSWERS Player Safety is "reviewing" Bryan Rust for his incident with Brock Boeser, here's what this means Should the NHL suspend Bryan Rust for the hit on Brock Boeser? | ||
| Yes | 92 | 39 % |
| No | 144 | 61 % |
| List of polls | ||