The Pittsburgh Penguins face a pivotal moment with the NHL trade deadline approaching. Bryan Rust, an integral player since 2014-15, may remain with the team despite trade speculations due to his key contributions and bond with Sidney Crosby.

The Penguins take on the Wild in a post-trade deadline matchup. ​Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games.

The actions belied many of the words used by the Pittsburgh Penguins after getting skunked 4-0 by the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.

Before Pittsburgh hit the road for a three-game trip, Bryan Rust acknowledged how difficult this time of year is, especially with the team struggling to find results ahead of the upcoming trade deadline.

The reasons to keep Rakell were abundantly clear Friday night in the Penguins’ 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. If not for the Penguins’ top line with Rakell, Sidney Crosby, and Bryan Rust, the game would have been an ugly beatdown uncomfortable to watch for even the most bloodthirsty UFC fans.

Bryan Rust has been a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins his entire career. He first appeared in games with the team during the 2014-15 season, but didn't become a regular in the lineup until the following season,

The Penguins have nearly lost every game since the 4 Nations Face-Off. They were playing fairly well before that two-week break and theoretically were alive in the playoff race, sitting just 6 points out of a postseason spot. A couple of weeks later, the Penguins are plummeting.

Rust notched an assist and three shots on goal in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Avalanche. Rust has opened March with five points and nine shots on net over three contests. The 32-year-old winger set up linemate Rickard Rakell for a goal in the second period.

DENVER -- Artturi Lehkonen scored twice for the Colorado Avalanche in a 4-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ball Arena on Tuesday.

William Nylander scored 1:00 into overtime, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-5.

Rust registered a goal, two assists, one on the power play, and a plus-1 rating Sunday in a 6-5 overtime loss to Toronto.