Penguins Playoff Update: Bonino a Go-to Guy

I was scanning the Penguins’ playoff scoring stats this morning and noticed some familiar names at the top of the list. Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, Nick Bonino, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang.

Wait a minute. Nick Bonino? How’d he get in there?

I must confess. After my initial excitement over the mid-summer trade that brought the former Boston University star to the ‘Burgh for Brandon Sutter, I wasn’t thrilled with Bonino through the early going.

Yes, he hustled and scrapped. Was good defensively and on faceoffs. The PK, too. But that was about it. To my untrained eye, he didn’t appear to possess much of a shot. Or any hint of real playmaking ability.

The numbers seemed to support my observations. Through his first 48 games with the Pens, Bonino tallied a paltry four goals. A far cry from the 15 goals he scored last season for Vancouver, let alone the 22 he collected in 2013-14 with Anaheim.

Then Evgeni Malkin went down with an upper-body injury on March 11. I was stunned when coach Mike Sullivan anointed Bonino to succeed “Geno” as second-line center between Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel.

“I think ‘Bones’ has some real good offensive instincts,” Sullivan said at the time.

Huh? I remember reading that quote in the Tribune Review and privately wondering what type of cannabis “Sully” was smoking.

Then Bonino began to produce. A goal against Carolina on March 17. A pair of assists two nights later against Philly. Then…a breakout five-point game versus Detroit on March 26.

Sold.

Over his last 13 regular-season games, the 6’1” 196-pounder notched five goals and 11 assists. Better than point-per-game production.

“His play for quite some time now has been really strong in a lot of areas,” Sullivan told Penguins web writer Michelle Crechiolo. “He seems to be getting better with each game that he plays.”

Thus far, Bonino’s maintained his incendiary pace in the postseason (eight points in seven games). He’s displayed a wonderful knack for making quick, accurate passes off the boards and through traffic. Not to mention marvelous synergy with Hagelin and Kessel.

“He’s always in the right spot,” Hagelin noted. “He’s strong on his stick. He’s a fun centerman to play with because he’s aware defensively but knows how to make plays offensively. We’ve had some good chemistry since Day 1.”

Small wonder that when Malkin was set to return, Sullivan opted to keep the HBK line intact while casting for a new set of wingers for No. 71.

The ain’t-broke-so-don’t-fix-it approach is paying off in spades. While Bonino’s trio continues to shine (a combined 19 playoff points), the newly formed Malkin-Eric Fehr–Chris Kunitz line is humming, too.

It’s made the Pens a stronger, deeper team.

No bones about it.

Maatta Out, Orpik Suspended

Olli Maatta will miss tonight’s Game 3 at Consol Energy Center. The 21-year-old defenseman absorbed a late hit from ex-Pen Brooks Orpik early in Game 2. At present, no announcement has been made involving the nature or severity of the injury.

Barring a personnel move, Maatta will be replaced either by Derrick Pouliot or Justin Schultz. While Sullivan gave no indication which skater might get the nod, the coaching staff prefers defensemen to play on their strong side. That would favor Pouliot, a left-handed shot.

Following his arrival in a trade with Edmonton on February 27, Schultz tallied a goal and eight points in 18 regular-season games. He hasn’t played since the series opener against the Rangers. Pouliot registered seven assists in 22 games for the black and gold.

On the flip side, the NHL suspended Orpik for three games. He could return for Game 6, if necessary.

Dupuis a Masterton Finalist

Former Penguin Pascal Dupuis was named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” Florida’s Jaromir Jagr and Mats Zuccarello of the Rangers are the other nominees.

One of the most popular and inspirational players ever to don the black and gold, Dupuis retired on December 8 due to health concerns.