The HBK Line's totals from Game 6: Kessel had three points (two goals, one assist). Hagelin had three points (one goal, two assists). Bonino had the big goal.
"That game, we got an early goal and we just kept pushing, kept pushing," Hagelin said. "It's hard to describe. It's just a good feeling throughout the whole game."
The HBK Line went on to have a ham, bacon and kielbasa sandwich named for it at Pittsburgh institution Primanti Bros., and the Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan hasn't ordered the HBK Line often this season. He couldn't order it against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round or in Game 1 against the Capitals because Hagelin was injured. He put Hagelin, Bonino and Kessel together to start Game 2 but quickly broke them up because he had to adjust to in-game injuries.
"There's a possibility we could go back to that tonight," Sullivan said. "If we do, it's because we believe it's a good line and they potentially could be a difference-maker for us."
The Capitals put captain Alex Ovechkin on their third line in Game 5, spreading out their offense, and it worked in a 4-2 victory. The Penguins have been outshot nine times in 10 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, relying on goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, blocked shots and opportunistic scoring, and will be without defenseman Trevor Daley (lower body) in Game 6 when they already are without defenseman Kris Letang (neck). In the past four games, Bonino (one assist) and Hagelin (one goal) each have one point.