WASHINGTON _ Should their schedules ever align to where Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk could host his best friend for a long weekend here, it might be best to order in.
Capitals fans don't seem to care much for Penguins center Nick Bonino, the result of a couple big playoff goals he's scored against Washington, including the winner in Thursday's Game 1 victory for the Penguins.
Everyone associated with the Capitals was frustrated at falling into an early series deficit, but Bonino doing the damage was a double whammy for Shattenkirk, who knows he'll surely hear about this one again on the golf course.
"It ticked me off even more that it was him because he's someone who I have to see later on in the summer," Shattenkirk said. "But you have to give credit that he's a performer in the playoffs and another guy on their team who we have to worry about."
A round after Mike Sullivan was opposite one of his best friends in Columbus coach John Tortorella, there's now Round 2 in Shattenkirk versus Bonino. At least with this one they're actually going to be on the ice together, as they were during Bonino's goal.
Shattenkirk was actually remarkably transparent about what transpired on the goal, where Ian Cole fired a stretch pass to Scott Wilson, and Wilson quickly fed a streaking Bonino.
"If I'm on Wilson a little bit tighter there, that puck doesn't even get in our zone," Shattenkirk said. "And I have to do a good job also of once that pass happens to take a peek and see what's going on behind me."
Shattenkirk was the best man in Bonino's wedding. They met freshman year at Boston University, then became roommates the rest of the way through college. Bonino said they compete in everything from golf to hockey to video games.
"It's a pretty competitive friendship," Bonino said.
It was a sort of an awkward one this summer but also one that may have been hugely beneficial for Shattenkirk, a top-tier defenseman in the NHL.
Shattenkirk hung out with Bonino about week or 10 days after the Penguins won the Stanley Cup.
The Capitals defenseman admitted that he couldn't help but notice everything that happens when you've won it all: the extra exposure, the never-ending congratulations, the amount that it drives the discussion.
Shattenkirk knew before that he wanted that, and this increased that desire tenfold.
"Once (Shattenkirk's former team, the Blues) lost last year, I was obviously rooting for him in the finals," Shattenkirk said. "To see him go through that summer and all the cool things that are associated with winning a Stanley Cup, it does make you want it more when it's someone who you know and someone you're close to.
"It was a little awkward for me to be in that situation, but at the same time, it really did fire me up and want me to experience that same sort of elation and joy that he had that was surrounded around winning the Cup."
Despite all the time he spent observing, Shattenkirk was adamant about one thing: He did not crash Bonino's Cup day.
"I was nowhere near him," Shattenkirk said.
But the process of watching how Bonino's life changed as a Cup winner did resonate with Shattenkirk.
So much so that apparently even Bonino noticed.
"I can understand that," Bonino said. "I know (Kings goaltender) Jonathan Quick a bit. When he had the Cup in Connecticut, you were always hoping it would be you. Totally understandable feeling. (Shattenkirk) is a good player. I would expect he'd win a Cup."
The two swore off talking for the series _ aside from a few jabs at one another through the media.
One example came Friday morning following an optional practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va., when a reporter asked Shattenkirk who was the better golfer.
Shattenkirk's answer: "Me."
Bonino's take? "No, not even close. We're very even. We're very even."
The two joked last year that this was going to happen in the 2016 Stanley Cup final, St. Louis against the Penguins.
It didn't, but the emotions are plenty high in this rivalry.
"I think it was inevitable that we'd meet eventually," Bonino said. "It being the Pens' biggest rival definitely makes it a little bit interesting. We'll both play our game and then talk about it after."
Bonino's game against the Capitals has been scoring big goals. On this occasion, Shattenkirk had a front row seat, one he most certainly did not want.
"Even though he's on the other team, it's never good seeing your buddy feeling like that," Bonino said. "But if ever there was a circumstance where it was OK, I think this is it."
