That’s the underlying message of the NHL’s decision Sunday to suspend Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik for three games for his late hit in which he made contact with Pittsburgh defenseman Olli Maatta’s head in Game 2.
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After Maatta left Game 2, the Penguins turned to Letang to lead the defense.
The suspension means Orpik might miss the rest of the teams’ second-round series, depending on how Games 3, 4 and 5 turn out. LeBrun noted the Penguins didn’t have a lengthy injury update for the defenseman after he was hit by Orpik, but he could miss even more than the next game. “We know we can play better”. Orpik is a hard-hitting player, but plays like this just aren’t necessary. Monday looks to be his the fourth time in the lineup this postseason, and he’s expected to see the ice a lot more during the team’s vaunted penalty kill.
“I thought it was a late hit”, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said.
While the Penguins won’t have to worry about Orpik for three games, they also will likely be without Maatta for at least Game 3 on Monday, per Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com.
Chorney will need to fall back on his poise and reliability under pressure more as the series continues with Orpik out.
And with increasing pressure on the National Hockey League to crack down on head injuries, the DoPS needed to make a statement on a very obvious dirty hit that was both high and late, though the punishment should not hinge on the resulting injury (or lack of injury) if the National Hockey League wants to truly deter these types of plays.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who has endured his own concussion issues over the years, said the optics of the entire situation were not good. It helped them go to the Stanley Cup final in 2008 and win it all in 2009. The respect level remains high now that he’s on the other side of a rivalry that stretches back a quarter century. We know if we get sucked into that, then we’re getting away from our game and we’re not productive that way.
“Sometimes it brings out emotion and stuff happens”.
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It’s the second time in two games a Washington player has been disciplined – Tom Wilson was fined for a knee-on-knee hit to Conor Sheary in Game 1 – but the Penguins are focused on keeping their composure.
