Rust, Simon hurt; Jooris called up

Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford acquired Josh Jooris as forward depth should something happen with his team’s forwards. It did. Bryan Rust (upper body) and Dominik Simon (lower body) were hurt in Wednesday’s 5-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center, and the Penguins recalled Jooris Thursday afternoon, an indication that at least one — or both — could be out for Saturday’s gamein Toronto.

Jooris, a center/wing, played in 31 NHL games with the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this season, producing three goals and six points. He scored a goal in his only appearance with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton since the dealat the trade deadline.

If only one of Rust or Simon is hurt, it’s conceivable that Carter Rowney will draw back into the lineup. He’s been a healthy scratch forthe past couple of games.

Golden Knights

Vegas signed defenseman Zach Whitecloud to a threeyear, entry-level deal, and he is expected to join the NHL club Friday. Whitecloud, 22, just finished his sophomore season at Bemidji State and had had four goals and 14 assists in 36 games. He was considered one of the top college free agents available.

Elsewhere

The Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins gave the Penguins a helping hand by topping the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers by identical 3-2 scores. Patrick Laine got the Jets started on the right foot with his 39th goal of the season, and the Bruins’ Brad Marchand scored his 29th goal with less than a minute to play to downthe Flyers.

The Penguins lead the Metropolitan Division, pending the outcome of the Washington Capitals late game in Los Angeles, with 82 points. The Capitals have 81, the Flyers, losers of five in a row, have 79, and the Devils have 76, and a one-point edge over Columbusfor the final playoff spot.