Overtimes could take toll on players
A record 18 games went to OT in first round of playoffs.
After the Washington Capitals lost a double-overtime heartbreaker in the first round, Brooks Orpik just wanted to eat and go home to sleep.
But Orpik, 36, knew it would be better to get another workout in and take care of his body before leaving the arena.
“You get mentally fatigued, as well, the longer you play,” said the playoff veteran. “Sometimes that can have a carry-over, I think. Everybody’s in such good shape physically I think you can get through it. I think the mental effect is probably a little bit bigger.”
Senators coach Guy Boucher says rest is a weapon, and it certainly applies to handling the aftermath of overtime hockey. And there has been a lot of that so far in the postseason.
A record 18 games went to overtime in the first round with at least one in every series. The effects will vary drastically, from teams like the Capitals and Senators that have played more than 40 extra minutes to the Predators and Ducks, which finished off their opponents in sweeps.
Ottawa defenseman Dion Phaneuf called the opening series against the Bruins (four overtimes) the toughest he has ever been through. His general manager, Pierre Dorion, isn’t concerned.
“I think we have enough depth that we’ll be able to sustain however long we go,” Dorion said as the Senators prepared to face the Rangers. “I think there’s been so many overtimes this year that every team is going through it.”
Maybe not. The Penguins went to overtime just once in knocking out the Blue Jackets in five games. Washington, the Penguins’ second-round opponent, played the most OT (46:20) and total (406:20) minutes of any team that advanced.
“Pittsburgh is probably sitting there and they probably loved that we were playing overtime every game,” Orpik said.
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin expects his team to be rested and ready even though they’ve played almost 100 more minutes than the Penguins. There’s something to be said for experiencing the intensity and pressure of playoff overtime, but the buildup of extra minutes can be a factor.
“I think it could go either way,” Penguins center Matt Cullen said. “I would expect, knowing the personnel on both teams, both teams will be ready to play and both teams will be fresh.”
Marlins: Multiple groups submitted bids to buy the team, and none has yet been accepted, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday.
Manfred’s comments came after Bloomberg reported a group led by former Yankees captain Derek Jeter and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush won an auction for the team with a $1.3 billion bid.
“There are multiple groups interested in acquiring the Marlins,” Manfred said in Pittsburgh while attending the Pirates-Cubs game. “One of those groups is the BushJeter group. When we have a resolution as to which bid is going to be accepted, we will announce that.”
Completion of any sale by owner Jeffrey Loria could take months and would require approval by at least 75 percent of the major league teams.
Astros: Outfielder Jake Marisnick was placed on the seven-day concussion list after running into a wall Sunday at Tampa Bay.
Red Sox: Third baseman Pablo Sandoval was placed on the 10-day DL with a sprained right knee. Infielder Josh Rutledge (left hamstring) was activated from the 10-day DL.
White Sox: Right-hander Zach Putnam was placed on the 10-day DL with inflammation in his pitching elbow. Right-hander Chris Beck was recalled from Triple-A.
Reds: Right-hander Rookie Davis (bruised right forearm) is scheduled to come off the 10-day DL and start today at Milwaukee in place of Tim Adelman, who will start Friday at St. Louis. Cody Reed moves to the bullpen.
Mariners: Shortstop Jean Segura (right hamstring) was activated from the 10-day disabled list.
Twins: Reliever Ryan O’Rourke will have surgery for a partially torn ligament in his left elbow. There is no timetable for his return.
Giants: Top prospect Christian Arroyo was promoted from Triple-A to be the new regular third baseman and he went 0 for 4 with three ground outs and a strikeout in Monday night’s 2-1 win over the Dodgers.