Pain playing role in series
Injury to Penguins’ Bonino latest to afflict finals teams
STANLEY CUP FINAL REPORT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Penguins center Nick Bonino was wearing a walking boot on his left foot and using crutches Friday, raising the possibility that he will not play in Nashville in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said the veteran has a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision against the Predators on Saturday night. Team captain Sidney Crosby said everybody’s banged up at this time of year.
“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 have been without top center Ryan Johansen the last four games, and he won’t be back until next season after needing emergency surgery for acute compartment syndrome in his left thigh.
Bonino plays on the Penguins’ fourth line, but the veteran is a key penalty killer. He had a slap shot from Predators defenseman P.K. Subban go off the inside of his left ankle in the Penguins’ 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 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 and he isn’t tipping his hand on any changes he might make with his team up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.
“We’re trying to make decisions, whether it be defense pairs or line combinations, that make us the most competitive team,” Sullivan said.
Predators 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 .947 save percentage, but he has looked average in the first two games of the finals.
Rinne has a .778 save percentage after losing twice in Pittsburgh.
He did not share how he has tried to clear his head and refocus.
“I know the stakes are high, but I’m still feeling confident,” Rinne said. “I feel comfortable out there.”