Coaches quiet about possible lineup shifts

NASHVILLE — Pittsburgh Penguins center Nick Bonino wore a walking boot on his left foot while using crutches Friday, raising the possibility he will not play tonight as the Stanley Cup Final shifts to Nashville for Game 3.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said the veteran has a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision. Team captain Sidney Crosby said at this time of year, both teams remaining are banged up.

“I think everyone’s prepared regardless of who’s in,” Crosby said. “Everyone’s going to do whatever it takes to make sure they can play. And if not, then someone else who steps in is ready to take on that challenge.”

The Predators, who trail 2-0 in their first appearance in the bestof-seven championship series, have been without top center Ryan Johansen the past four games. He won’t be back until next season after needing emergency surgery for acute compartment syndrome in his left thigh.

Bonino plays on Pittsburgh’s fourth line, but the veteran is a key penalty killer. He had a slap shot from Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban go off the inside of his left ankle in Pittsburgh’s 4-1 win Wednesday night while on the ice, helping kill a big penalty. Bonino went to the locker room but returned to finish the game.

He walked into the hotel where the Penguins are staying in Nashville using crutches, though he stopped and signed a couple of autographs on

his way in. If Bonino can’t play, then Carl Hagelin could be an option for Sullivan after sitting out the first two games of this series.

Sullivan said the Penguins have yet to play their best yet and isn’t tipping his hand on any changes he might make.

“We’re trying to make it decisions, whether it be defense pairs or line combinations, that make us the most competitive team,” Sullivan said.

Nashville coach Peter Laviolette also refused to talk about any lineup changes he might make, including at goaltender. Pekka Rinne is 7-1 at Bridgestone Arena this postseason with a 1.54 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage, but he has looked average in the first two games of the title series.

Laviolette’s other option is a 22-year-old rookie, Juuse Saros, who made his NHL postseason debut in relief Wednesday night after Rinne gave up three goals in the first 3:28 of the third period. Rinne had an ugly .778 save percentage in Pittsburgh.

Using two goalies in a Stanley Cup Final isn’t unprecedented for Laviolette. Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher shared time in the net when Laviolette Philadelphia Flyers lost to Chicago in six games in 2010.

“When the decision is made,” Laviolette said, it’s my decision.”