Brooks Orpik Suspended 3 Games for Interference: Details, Comments and Reaction

The second-round playoff series between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins is tied at one game apiece, but the Capitals will be without some depth for the next three contests.

According to NHL Player Safety, defenseman Brooks Orpik was suspended Sunday for three games because of interference on the Penguins’ Olli Maatta.

Orpik’s hit came during Saturday’s Game 2 a mere 4:13 into the first period. He received a two-minute interference penalty during Pittsburgh’s 2-1 win but did not escape further punishment Sunday.

NHL.com released a video with the suspension decision showing the play and explaining the rationale behind the punishment. The video described it as a “late hit” with “significant head contact” and pointed out it came a “full second” after Maatta had released the shot. The video also said Maatta was “not eligible to be checked on this play”:

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan discussed the play, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com): “I thought it was a late hit. I thought it was a target to his head. I think it’s the type of hit that everyone in hockey is trying to remove from the game. That’s how I saw it.”

Orpik, for his part, agreed with the punishment, telling reporters on Monday he thought it was "fair." The defenseman added the hit was a "bad decision" and that "there's no denying it was late." Orpik also told reporters he spoke to Maatta, calling him a "good friend."

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. 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.

The Penguins will likely turn to Justin Schultz or Derrick Pouliot as replacement options for Maatta.

As for Orpik, the Penguins are accustomed to his physical brand of defense. Pittsburgh selected him with a first-round pick in 2000, and he proceeded to play there from 2002-14. He helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2008 and 2009 because of his ability to set the tone on the blue line.

He joined the Capitals before the 2014-15 campaign and appeared in only 41 games this season. He tallied 10 points behind three goals and seven assists and averaged 19:49 time on the ice per night this season, his lowest mark since the 2007-08 campaign.

While Orpik wasn’t a statistical superstar this season, Washington will miss his presence in front of the net. Look for it to rely on defensemen John Carlson and Nate Schmidt to shoulder more of the load until the 35-year-old is eligible to return.