Matt Rust carries the reputation of a capable goal scorer and dependable point producer.

The junior forward centers the Michigan hockey team's top line. Rust has gained the most by being paired with teammate and leading scorer Carl Hagelin, whose play-making ability complements Rust's abilities.

Together, they form a 1-2 offensive punch that has combined for 71 points for a team that hopes its best hockey is ahead in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament, which begins this weekend.

Rust has 11 goals and has nearly doubled his assist total from last year with 21 heading into this weekend's best-of-three playoff series against Lake Superior State at Yost Ice Arena. Rust trails only Hagelin in scoring (32 points) and leads Michigan in plus-minus rating (+12).

"Obviously, when your linemate is having a breakout season, maybe you do, too," Rust said this week. "Having someone that can put pucks in the net and plays both ends of the ice definitely makes your life easier."

Rust’s lunch pail effort on a line that includes Hagelin and freshman Kevin Lynch hasn't gone without notice. With Rust, the Wolverines get a playmaker that possesses a defensive upside. He one of Michigan's top performers on the face-off and gives the Wolverines some toughness in the corners.

And after more than two years of playing alongside Hagelin, Rust's ability to make things happen away from the net has its own benefits.

"It's great chemistry between us," Hagelin said. "I know where he's going to be and hopefully, he knows where I am going to be. So although the defense may not know what he's going to do, hopefully, I do."

As much scoring as the Wolverines have gotten from Hagelin and Rust, their ability to be paired pays major dividends.

"He and Carl have been like salt and pepper," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "They've worked well together, they've killed penalties together, they're out there 4-on-4, they're out there in 5-on-5 hockey, they're on the same penalty play unit, so I think he's benefitted from playing with Carl.

"When they get it going, they can be tough to stop."

As one of Michigan's top skaters, Rust gives the Wolverines a player that Berenson said can handle any of the league's best players or lines while adding plenty of scoring punch. The rest comes down to finishing plays as Rust did in Michigan's 4-0 win over Notre Dame last week. Rust made his way to the net and took a perfect pass from Hagelin, who had waited for his teammates to get into position.

Rust finished the play by tapping the puck in, taking advantage of Hagelin's patience.

"That's as good as it gets," Berenson said. "When you get them at their best, that's what you see."

Now, with the Wolverines facing the playoffs, where two losses mean the end of the season, Rust expects the spurts of positive play to help Michigan, which has lost five of its last eight games.

The winner of this weekend's series advances to the CCHA quarterfinals, likely facing No. 2 seed Michigan State in East Lansing.

"Everyone comes to play for playoff hockey," Rust said. "I think if we can get all of our four lines churning and putting up points and putting goals in the net, I think we're going to be a tough team to beat."

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at jeffarnold@annarbor.com or 734-623-2554. Follow him at Twitter @jeffreyparnold.