Capitals' Orpik returns for Game 1

by
Brad Mills / USA TODAY Sports

After missing the final three games of the first round, Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

An upper-body injury kept Orpik out of the lineup. He was pointless and played 18 minutes a game in the first round.

Orpik was paired with John Carlson in warmups. The stay-at-home defenseman had three goals and seven assists in 41 games this season. He's a former Penguin, having spent the majority of his career in Pittsburgh after being drafted in the first round by the club in 2000.

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