Someone’s going to grab a bit of momentum tonight, but it may be a bit more hard for the Washington Capitals as the squad heads to Pittsburgh for Game 3 of the second round series.
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Orpik said he spoke to Maatta, his former teammate in Pittsburgh, after Game 2. It’s not what we’re used to seeing out of National Hockey League players in Orpik’s position, so some amount of dap is expected, but that’s where the credit should stop. Not only did Orpik knock defenseman Olli Maatta out with a late hit to the head, but he wasn’t afraid to shove Kris Letang in the face after the whistle. Orpik said he talked to Maatta after Game 2 but did not disclose details of their conversation.
Sullivan said there is a possibility Maatta could return during this series. If they can find a way to get pucks past him, that would be very helpful to their chances of beating Washington.
Most of Orpik’s absence will likely be absorbed by the team’s best three defensemen in John Carlson, Matt Niskanen and Karl Alzner, all of whom already are averaging 23+ minutes per game in these 2016 National Hockey League playoffs.
“It’s tough to hear people say I was intentionally trying to hit him in the head”, Orpik said.
“I don’t think it’s fair for guys who have talk shows after the games to be calling Orpik a predator”, Wilson said.
Brooks Orpik, suspended three games for a late, dirty, dumb hit, said on Monday that he deserved to be suspended for his late, dirty, dumb hit.
“It was a bad hit”, Orpik said Monday.
The only way players are going to get the message that hits like this are not acceptable is they are forced to sit for an extended period of time when they deliver them. “Just like this year when he had a slower start and then… he finished third in the league in scoring”. Looking at the previous series, I think Maatta might have been hurt in sorta the same way.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said Orpik’s hit on Maatta “looked bad right away”.
When Trotz subsequently was asked about his comments of “not surprised based on who we’re playing and all that”, he replied: “Take it for whatever you want”.
Washington Coach Barry Trotz was generally pleased with Chorney’s performance, and confident in the defenseman’s ability to come up strong in crucial moments. Each day, we’ll keep you updated on the important news involving players, starting lineups, injuries and more. The Pittsburgh people know that. “Anyone that knows Orpy knows that he plays the game hard, and he plays within the rules”.
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We definitely know that defensive shakeups are coming for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals in the coming days. Orpik missed three games of the first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers after he was concussed on a legal hit from Ryan White on April 18.
