Penguins’ Bryan Rust leaves Game 1 against Sharks after hit to head

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust left Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final against the San Jose Sharks on Monday night after taking a hit to the head.

Rust was hit by San Jose’s Patrick Marleau early in the third period after taking the puck into the Sharks zone. He stayed on the ice briefly before skating off under his own power. Rust took a 35-second shift after the hit but then went to the dressing room and did not return.

Marleau was assessed a minor penalty for an illegal check to the head.

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan said post-game that Rust is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

“It’s a blind-side hit to the head. He gets a penalty. I’m sure the league will look at it,” Sullivan said.

Rust scored his sixth goal of the post-season in the first period to open the scoring for the Penguins.

Pittsburgh won the game 3-2 and lead the best-of-seven series 1-0.