Rust isn't collecting cheapies, either. Both his tallies against the Senators were of the top-shelf, bar-down variety.
"I've got a little bit more confidence," Rust said after helping vanquish Ottawa. "I'm being a little more patient with the puck. I've been working on my shot a little bit, and on ways to find that soft area in the offensive zone. It's been going pretty well lately."
Coach Mike Sullivan is among those impressed.
"His two goals tonight were goal-scorer's goals," Sullivan said after beating Ottawa. "Bar-down goals like that are tough to stop.
"He's playing well. He tends to be streaky, but when his confidence is high and he's feeling it out there, he's really noticeable."
Rust is blessed and cursed by versatility: Blessed because wingers who can play either side on any line are extremely employable, cursed because Rust constantly moves all over the depth chart. It can be difficult finding a groove.
Lately, Rust has played left wing on a line with Phil Kessel and (when he's healthy) Evgeni Malkin. Newcomer Nick Bjugstad centered that unit vs. Ottawa and in the Penguins' 3-2 loss at Toronto Feb. 2.
"I've gotten used to it," Rust said of his ever-changing role. "It's something I take pride in, to be able to bounce around a little bit. I've been around most of the guys in this locker room long enough to know how everyone plays, and I like to think I can pick up on guys' tendencies pretty quickly."
A right-handed shot, Rust allows that certain adjustments are necessary when he plays left wing.
"You have to work at accepting more plays on your backhand," Rust said. "Making plays on your backhand and receiving pucks on your backhand. Work on getting your head up and getting pucks to your forehand so you can make more plays."
Skating with Kessel and Malkin offers great reward if you work hard and get open. Kessel had the primary assist on both of Rust's goals vs. Ottawa.
"I just move my feet, and try to create space," Rust said. "When they get the puck, get to open areas, because they're going to find you."
Rust had gone 21 games without a goal before netting a hat trick Dec. 12 in a 6-3 loss at Chicago. Since then, red lights have been frequent.
If Rust's goal-scoring renaissance has one key component, it may be confidence.
"There are times when you have time and space, and times when you've got to get things off quick," Rust said. "Recognizing which is which is a big part of offense. That might come with a little bit of confidence, or just knowing to be a little more patient."
Rust, 26, has 14 goals and 12 assists in 51 games this season. A Michigan native and Notre Dame product, Rust was on the Penguins' Stanley Cup winners in 2016 and '17. He made his NHL debut Dec. 13, 2014 and scored his first NHL goal two nights later.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
