Orpik says Cup Final goal was 'added bonus' for Capitals

WASHINGTON --Brooks Orpik couldn't remember if he celebrated his goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
"I don't know," the Washington Capitals defenseman said Friday, the first time he addressed the media since scoring what ended up being the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday.

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Orpik did celebrate, but did so in his typical understated way. He raised one arm after watching the puck go in at 9:41 of the second period, smiled, and was mobbed by his teammates on the ice before going down the line bumping fists with everyone on the bench.
No jumping into the glass like Alex Ovechkin. No pretending he's a bird like Evgeny Kuznetsov. No theatrics at all.
The goal helped Washington even the best-of-7 series 1-1, with Game 3 at Capital One Arena on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS).
"It's probably not expected from the team, but you try to do other things that help the team win, and obviously you're expected to do other things," Orpik said. "But any time you can do something that you're not really counted on [to do], it's an added bonus."

Orpik also couldn't remember the last time he scored a goal.
"The date?" Orpik said. "That'd be tough."
It was Feb. 26, 2016.
Entering Game 2, Orpik hadn't scored in 219 games, including 38 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ovechkin scored 116 goals in that span.
Orpik hadn't scored a playoff goal since April 21, 2014, when he was with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ovechkin scored 28 in that span.
Orpik said he was aware he hadn't scored in such a long time, but said the drought wasn't concerning to him.
"I've had a lot of things that I was more concerned with this year, especially away from hockey," Orpik said. "That was probably way down on the list, to be honest with you."
The 37-year-old is a physical, stay-at-home defenseman and a leader in the Capitals locker room. Like he said, anything extra he does is a bonus.
"Brooksie is so important to our group," Washington defenseman Matt Niskanen said. "The players know it. He's really played his best this spring. It kind of defies logic with his age, but I don't think we're surprised by it with what a professional he is. And what a competitor. The guy is just all heart, and boy, nice to see him get rewarded with a big goal. He's been a rock for us."