The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced
on Sunday, that Washington Capitals defenseman, Brooks Orpik, has been
suspended for three games following a high hit on Pittsburgh Penguins
defenseman, Olli Maatta in game two of their second round matchup.
The incident occurred at the 4:13 mark of the opening period
on Saturday night. Orpik was assessed a minor penalty on the play.
The DoPS ruled that Orpik delivered a high, late hit on
Maatta, while making contact with the head and causing significant injury.
In making the ruling the DoPS stated that as the Penguins
player was not in procession of the puck, and a full second had passed after he
shot it towards the net, he was not eligible to be hit. The hit was ruled to be
forceful, unacceptably high and excessively late, with the point of contact
being the head.
Maatta’s injury and Orpik’s recent suspension helped to play
a role in the DoPS’s decision.
The Capitals will have to prepare for Monday’s game three at
the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania without Orpik. Penguins
are not too optimistic about Maatta’s condition as well, as he appeared dazed as
he left the ice following the hit on Saturday night.
The Capitals did have some good experience playing without
Orpik this season. When he missed 40 games between November 12 and February 13,
due to a lower body injury, the Capitals went 30-6-4.
Orpik also missed the final three games of the Caps opening
round series with Philadelphia Flyers, due to an upper body injury. Washington
was only able to win one of those games, in their attempt to close out the
Flyers after going up 3-0.
The Capitals hope to pick up at least one victory, during
Orpik’s hiatus to keep his season alive. After the opening two games in
Washington, the series tied at one as they head to Pittsburgh.
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