Penguins' Bryan Rust: Rookie scores twice to send Pens to finals

Rust notched two goals -- including the game winner -- on five shots and added a plus-2 rating during Thursday's 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Analysis:

Rust sure found his groove to finish out the series, registering points in three straight to the tune of three tallies (with ten shots on goal) and an apple. While no rookie has ever notched a hat trick in Game 7, the 24-year-old was one breakaway finish from being the first. The inconsistencies are noted, but Rust is riding a hot streak heading into the Stanley Cup Final against San Jose, and seems to have built a rapport with Evgeni Malkin (two helpers in Game 7).