THE RUSTY RAZOR

Bryan Rust scored into an empty net Saturday night. That gave the Penguins winger 20 goals for a sixth straight season.

I never saw that coming.

When Rust joined the Penguins in 2014, he looked like bottom-six material. Hard worker, solid checker.

But the Notre Dame product labored, learned and got better. He became a legitimate offensive threat.

I've often said that Rust hit the linemate lottery. Skating on Sidney Crosby's line has obvious benefits.

But Rust earned that chance and makes the most of it. He's got the instinct, ability, speed and tenacity to play with Crosby.

Full credit to Rust. A career overachiever.

Older players will be leaving the Penguins, younger ones ascending.

But at 32, Rust still has value. He can still score, still be a good fit on Crosby's line, still forecheck and backcheck.

Perhaps most important, Rust knows how to be a Penguin. He can pass that on to younger players.

The Penguins need as many real Penguins as possible. Right now, they don't have enough.