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Pittsburgh Penguins

Bryan Rust could return for the Penguins against the Washington Capitals on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN, TVAS).

Rust participated in an optional morning practice Thursday, but did not play in the 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and missed five games with a lower-body injury. Normally a right winger on one of the first two lines, he has four points (three goals, one assist) in eight games this season.

Initially, Rust was labeled week to week. He was injured Oct. 26 during the third period of a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, straining his right leg after struggling with forward Nils Hoglander along the boards.

“It’s always a good feeling to be able to rejoin the team and get back to somewhat normal things,” Rust said Wednesday. “It’s been a lot quicker than I expected. I wasn’t as optimistic at the beginning. … I think now they’ve done a really good job of getting me back in shape. I hope things continue in the right direction direction.” — Wes Crosby

Washington Capitals

Sonny Milano will not play for the Capitals against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN, TVAS) after the forward suffered an upper-body injury against the Nashville Predators on Wednesday.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery initially said Milan would be “out for a while,” before correcting himself.

“I don’t know the timeline,” Carbery said. “I shouldn’t say that. He’s out.”

Jakub Vrana will replace Milan in the lineup after being left out in the last two games. Carbery said Washington would likely recall a Hershey forward from the American Hockey League to have an extra one on the roster for the trip to play the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

Defenseman Jakob Chychrun skated Friday morning in a regular jersey after practicing earlier this week in a non-contact jersey. Even though Chychrun remained on the ice for extra work after the morning skate, Carbery didn’t rule out playing against Pittsburgh.

“I’m going to talk to the coaching staff and see how it goes,” Carbery said. “I’ll get an update once he finishes skating, but I’m very close to that.” — Tom Gulitti