Nick Bonino was the only player absent from Pittsburgh Penguins practice on Friday morning, leaving his status for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in question.
Bonino was injured during the first period of Game 2 when he was hit in the foot with a slap shot that knocked him to the ice. He needed assistance getting off the ice and immediately went to the locker room. For as bad as it looked at the time, he was actually able to return to the game and ended up playing just a little more than 16 minutes in the Penguins’ 4-1 win.
Coach Mike Sullivan said Bonino is considered day-to-day and will be a game-time decison on Saturday.
On Friday, Carter Rowney shifted over to center between Scott Wilson and Conor Sheary to fill his spot on the third line.
Carl Hagelin, who has yet to play in the Stanley Cup Final, was on the fourth line alongside Matt Cullen and Patric Hornqvist.
Jake Guentzel, who was skating on the top-line alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust, was occupying Bonino’s spot on the second power play unit.
So far this postseason Bonino has four goals and three assists for the Penguins, including a bizarre two-goal performance in Game 1 where he was the lucky recipient of a Nashville own goal and an empty net goal to help put the game away. Even without huge production he is still a valuable two-way center in their lineup and his absence would be a big loss in Game 3 if he can not go.
Update: This doesn’t look promising for Bonino’s chances.
Nick Bonino on crutches and in a walking boot #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Q2430xbZUw
— Chase Williams (@chasepwilliams) June 2, 2017