Penguins' Rust, Guentzel both score in return to lineup vs. Sharks

Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzel made an instant impact when they returned to the lineup during Sunday's 8-5 victory against the San Jose Sharks.

Guentzel scored during the Penguins' productive six-goal opening frame, while Rust potted his fifth career hat trick after lighting the lamp twice in the first period and capping it off with an empty-netter. Rust also added two assists for a tidy five-point game.

Pittsburgh activated the pair off injured reserve earlier on in the day.

Rust sat out 11 games with a lower-body ailment before Sunday's contest, marking the second time this season that the 29-year-old has missed time due to injury.

Guentzel, meanwhile, sat out the Penguins' last five games with an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old winger was riding a 13-game point streak before being sidelined.

Both players slotted onto the top line.

Soon! pic.twitter.com/VZk5OSfLw7

- Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 2, 2022

Pittsburgh also announced it removed forward Teddy Blueger from COVID-19 protocol, but he did not play Sunday against the Sharks.

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