It's hard to ignore how much worse the skaters have looked since Orpik's injury in November... but is it related?
Brooks Orpik's injury, on the surface, hasn't set the Capitals back at all. Through its first 14 games, Washington went 10-4, a 117-point pace. In its next 14 games, the team has accumulated 22 points — a 129-point pace — keeping it in good position to make a run at not only the conference title, but the Presidents' Trophy. At this rate, he can afford to take his time getting back into the lineup.