During this previous off-season, Washington Capitals fans wondered aloud what sort of effects the loss of Mike Green would have on the defensive corps. Green was a tenured veteran in Washington’s system. He was a backbone of the team and a heartening voice in the locker room. With his departure and Orpik’s injury, many could wonder if we might be seriously weakened.
And while the 44 shots that Braden Holtby had to defend the Washington net from on Monday’s contest with the Pittsburgh Penguins probably are laid at their feet, the Washington Capitals defense has shown a remarkable amount of resilience and grit during an injury to Orpik that has lingered much longer than anyone had anticipated.