Karl Alzner (upper body) will play in Game 1 against the Penguins on Thursday, Katie Brown of NHL.com reports.

Alzner (upper body) will play in Game 1 against the Penguins on Thursday, Katie Brown of NHL.com reports.

Analysis:

Brooks Orpik (upper body) is expected to suit up as well, giving the Capitals restored health on the blue line to open the semifinal playoff round. Alzner picked up a pair of helpers in the first-round series against the Flyers, but he might have a tougher time cracking the code on the Penguins defense, which ranks sixth in the NHL.