Penguins’ injuries mount going into Game 3

NASHVILLE — Pittsburgh centre 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 tonight. Team captain Sidney Crosby said everybody’s banged up at this time of year on both teams.

“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 have been without their top centre Ryan Johansen the past 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 Pittsburgh’s fourth line, but the veteran is a key penalty killer. He had a slap shot from Nashville defenceman 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 and isn’t tipping his hand on any changes he might make even with Pittsburgh up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.

“We’re trying to make decisions; whether it be defence 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 post-season with a 1.54 goalsagainst average and a .947 save percentage, but he has looked average in the first two games of the final. 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 has an ugly .778 save percentage in losing the two games in Pittsburgh.