Brooks Orpik's first goal since February 26, 2016 could NOT have come at a better time. 3-1, Washington. #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/xk64N3agyQ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 31, 2018
Brooks Orpik’s slapshot from near the circle bounced off ice, then off the goal post right past Vegas Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to give the Washington Capitals a 3-1 lead in the second period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The goal had a great significance beyond giving the Capitals their first two-goal lead of the Stanley Cup Final. It was the 37-year old Orpik’s first goal in 221 games, counting regular season and postseason. The Capitals defenseman had not scored since Feb. 16, 2016.
In the 2015-16 season, the season he scored his last goal, injuries limited him to 41 games in the regular season. He was limited to six games that postseason thanks to a three-game suspension off an illegal hit on Olli Määttä. The following season he appeared in 79 regular season games and 13 in the postseason. This season he skated in 81 of 82 games and Wednesday’s Game 2 against Vegas was his 21st appearance in this year’s playoffs. In all 220 games had passed without him scoring a goal, until he got a feed from Lars Eller and chopped the puck into the net.
What a great time to end a scoring drought, ah?
