“I’m going to do treatment and talk to these guys, and hopefully, they give me a decision today,” Orpik said. “It’s out of my hands.”

Orpik got hurt in Game 3 against the Philadelphia Flyers in the last series, needing to be helped off the ice after being checked into the glass by center Ryan White. When Trotz was asked if Orpik suffered a concussion, he declined to answer. He missed the last three games of the series, but he’s skated with the team since Tuesday.

AD

AD

“There’s a good chance,” Trotz said. “We’ll see. You’ll have to watch warm-ups.”

Karl Alzner was back on the ice on Thursday morning for the teams’ optional skate. Alzner didn’t skate on Tuesday or Wednesday, and the team said those were maintenance days for an “upper-body” injury. Trotz said on Wednesday that he expected Alzner to play, and Alzner confirmed that on Thursday morning.

“I feel good,” Alzner said. “Just took a couple days. Lot of bumps and bruises for a tough series. Feel fine. Feel happy now; it’s like all-star break when you get a few days off and come back and feel refreshed.”

Defenseman Mike Weber stayed on the ice late with the forward scratches, so it’s likely that if Orpik is out, Taylor Chorney will be in the lineup and probably on the third pair with Dmitry Orlov. In practices this week, Orpik fully participated, taking line rushes with his usual defense partner, John Carlson.

AD

AD

Chorney playing against a speedier team, like the Penguins, would seem to make sense because he’s a stronger skater than Weber, a physical, stay-at-home blue-liner, but Trotz said that’s not the only factor he’d consider.