The real star of the Stanley Cup finals? Penguins center Nick Bonino's daughter, Maisie

— -- Sure, Pittsburgh Penguins center Nick Bonino scored the winning goal against the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals and is second on his team in scoring this spring, with 17 points. But he's been upstaged this postseason by his infant daughter, Maisie.

Bonino and his wife, Lauren, have marked Pittsburgh's progress through the playoffs with photos of Maisie, who was born on January 5 -- or right around the time the Penguins, who got off to a slow start and were near the bottom of the league in scoring, turned things around.

Pittsburgh was 19-15-5 on Jan. 5. Since then, including the playoffs, the Penguins have gone 44-16-4. Like several other rookies, Maisie's making an impact for the Pens. And she and her parents have celebrated her favorite team's playoff progress with a series of milestones:

Dec. 25, 2015: Bonino, who was traded to Pittsburgh last July, prepped for Maisie's arrival by perfecting his diaper game. He -- and the Penguins -- likely had no idea how much life was about to change.

Jan. 5, 2016: Maisie made her debut. Her presumably groggy dad saw 12:34 of ice time and was called for a tripping penalty and did not score in Pittsburgh' 3-2 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Jan. 22: A proud papa (in vest) showed off his bundle of joy to his former Vancouver Canucks teammates.

Feb. 8: Nick and Lauren both played hockey at Boston University. In college, Nick scored the tying goal with 17.4 seconds left in regulation in the Terriers' comeback victory against Miami (Ohio) in the 2009 national championship game. So when BU played rival Boston College in the Beanpot final, Maisie had her game face on -- along with a BU onesie and hockey-skate booties.

Feb. 27: Mom took Maisie to her first NHL game. The initial sign that she might be the Pens' good-luck charm? Dad assisted on Scott Wilson's third-period goal as the Penguins powered past the Winnipeg Jets 4-1.

April 2: The Penguins clinched a playoff spot -- and Maisie celebrated as another rookie, Penguins goalie Matt Murray, picked up his first NHL shutout as Pittsburgh blanked the New York Islanders.

April 23: The Penguins eliminated the Rangers in five games in the first round thanks to a big second-half surge. Bonino assisted on  Carl Hagelin's second-period goal. Maisie was clearly impressed.

May 11: Bonino's goal 6:32 into overtime gave Pittsburgh a 4-3 win, eliminated the Capitals and sent the Pens to the Eastern Conference finals -- but Maisie still seemed skeptical about their chances in the Eastern Conference finals.

May 27: After dad racked up five points, including a goal and two assists to help the Penguins rally and force Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Maisie had clearly warmed to both the giant penguin and the idea that her dad's team was a legitimate Cup contender. In fact, she celebrated yet another playoff series win by the Penguins by raising a cup --  prepping, perhaps, for the possibility that her dad and teammates will soon hoist Lord Stanley's cup?

June 4: The Penguins are one win away from clinching their fourth title -- and Bonino's first. The hockey-skate booties are back. Maisie's reading up and ready.