1. Brooks Orpik is out for tonight’s Game 4 (and for more on the Caps with and without their big rig, check out this post from yesterday). So who’s in?
Defense pairs in rushes:
Alzner-Niskanen
Schmidt-Carlson
Orlov-Chorney— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 19, 2016
Makes sense. Expect the Caps to lean on John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Matt Niskanen even more than they have so far. And while they’ll certainly miss Orpik…
Not to kick a dude while he’s down, but Orpik has struggled so far this series. (Sc-Adj 5v5 #s, via @war_on_ice) pic.twitter.com/VH96ZutZhR
— Japers’ Rink (@JapersRink) April 19, 2016
And in heart attack-inducing news…
Someone collided into Holtby. And he’s going back to the locker room. Was stretching his leg.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 19, 2016
Braden Holtby’s equipment was already in his locker and he’s not in the locker room for media availability
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) April 19, 2016
Alas, it sounds as if Holtby is fine…
Trotz on Holtby: “I don’t anticipate Braden not playing.”
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) April 19, 2016
… and looks as if he’s even finer:
when someone says a hot dog is a sandwich https://t.co/TaoXBb91nP
— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) April 19, 2016
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2. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare had a hearing with the League’s supplemental discipline folks regarding his nasty Game 3 hit on Dmitry Orlov and the verdict is…
Philadelphia’s Pierre-Edouard Bellemare suspended 1 game for checking from behind on Dmitry Orlov. Video: https://t.co/yeyVfkLb4t
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 19, 2016
And while Bellemare himself sounded contrite, his GM, Ron Hextall, sounded like… well, exactly what you’d expect Ron Hextall to sound like:
Bellemare: “It looked terrible. … That wasn’t my intention.”
Hasn’t heard verdict but had hearing.— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) April 19, 2016
Ron Hextall said he’s watched Bellemare hit “50 times” and doesn’t think it’s Bellemare’s fault. Says there is some responsibility on Orlov.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 19, 2016
Oh, and the practical result of the suspension?
Ryan White expected to take Bellemare’s C spot, and Colin McDonald could go to RW on that line. #Flyers
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) April 19, 2016
More Ryan White – our pal Alan May must be thrilled…
Alan May went hard on #Flyers goofball Ryan White on #GrantAndDanny earlier today. Listen to his rant here: https://t.co/etD1ExCz6o.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 19, 2016
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3. The Caps will try tonight to do something they’ve never done before: sweep a best-of-seven series. But even if they can’t flush the floaters, err, Flyers tonight, they’re in awfully good shape overall:
I guess what I’m saying is the Caps have a real chance to win this series. #ItWas3to0 (Via https://t.co/8N998oT6FP) pic.twitter.com/RWKwxhxLGs
— Japers’ Rink (@JapersRink) April 19, 2016