The Pittsburgh Penguins forward was suspended three games for an illegal check to the head, the department of player safety announced Tuesday, stemming from a late-game incident Sunday in Vancouver.
With seconds remaining on the clock and the Canucks down 3-2, pushing to tie the game, Rust skated through the slot and clipped Vancouver winger Brock Boeser up high with an extended elbow.
The Canucks failed to score and Boeser was able to skate off the ice on his own power, though with supervision from teammates and training staff. The Canucks announced on Monday that Boeser was placed on injured reserve as a result of the hit.
The decision comes after a phone hearing between Rust and player safety, which would have capped his suspension at five games.
It is the first suspension of Rust’s career.
He will miss games against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and Ottawa Senators on Monday before being eligible to return Tuesday against the New York Islanders.
Across 47 games this season, the 33-year-old Rust has 18 goals and 21 assists.
