"[Bonino] is a huge part of everything we do," center Matt Cullen said. "We all hope he's ready to go and if not, then we're going to have to fill a big hole."
Through 21 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Bonino has seven points (four goals, three assists). In 24 playoff games last year, he had 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) while centering the "HBK Line" between left wing Carl Hagelin and right wing Phil Kessel.
If Bonino can't play, Carter Rowney, a 28-year-old rookie who has three assists in 16 playoff games, would likely be elevated to third-line center between left wing Scott Wilson and right wing Conor Sheary.
Hagelin, who has been a healthy scratch for the past two games, could enter the lineup at the fourth-line left wing next to Cullen at center and right wing Patric Hornqvist. Hagelin has one goal in 11 games since returning April 29 from a lower-body injury, which caused him to miss 22 games.
"I think every time the game starts and you're not out there, you're going to be [ticked] off," Hagelin said. "It doesn't do you any good being [ticked] off on a day like this. You've got to go out there and do whatever you can to make you better and to make you prepared for whatever's thrown at you.
"If you get in [Saturday], I have to be ready to play. No one's going to feel sorry for me and I don't feel sorry for myself."