His coach, Barry Trotz, said he was disappointed with the length of suspension, at least when compared to the one-game ban Philadelphia Flyers forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare received for a risky hit from behind on Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov in the first round, and that he was not surprised “based on who we’re playing”. Due to Orpik’s history – he’s been suspended twice by the Department of Player Safety – and recklessness of throwing such a high hit to the head, the defenseman will sit for potentially the rest of the playoffs. “I’ve dealt with enough head and neck issues to know that was tough to watch”.
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“I was in a similar spot two weeks ago, so it’s tough hearing people try to say I was intentionally trying to hit him in the head”, Orpik said.
Also of note heading into game three is that the Washington Capitals will be without their eldest defenseman, and former Penguin, Brooks Orpik. Orpik may not return until a possible Game 6, and Maatta remains out injured.
Maatta was playing the puck in the offensive zone and had released it several moments before Orpik lunged at him.
“I’m disappointed”, Orpik said of his actions. For the Pens, it’s of unknown length as Maatta recovers from the effects of Orpik’s hit.
When asked to clarify, Trotz offered only “take it for whatever you want”.
“You definitely have to worry about our guy first – he obviously didn’t look good”, Penguins winger Chris Kunitz said Monday morning. “He’s not a dirty player”.
We definitely know that defensive shakeups are coming for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals in the coming days.
There are plenty of offenders who play the blame game whenever the league comes down hard on them.
Orpik was given a two-minute minor penalty for interference.
As with any road playoff series, the Washington Capitals must steal at least one of these games on the road. It’s weak to bring out the old argument that a player was punished more severely because the league is somehow invested in seeing the Penguins win.
But the biggest talking point by far was the Orpik suspension – one the Penguins seemed fairly satisfied with. But the key to overcoming Maatta’s loss is for No. 1 defenseman Kris Letang to continue to be a force.
Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury remains day-to-day, though Sullivan said, “He is making significant progress”.
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“It’s part of the game”, Letang said of Orpik’s post-whistle antics. “I’m not there to judge about that”. “The coaching staff’s going to decide which guy we’re going to put in there that is the best to help us win”.
