BOSTON -- Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik left in first period of the team's game against the Bruins at TD Garden after being hit behind his net by Boston defenseman Mark Stuart.

He will not return to the game and will be evaluated by doctors tomorrow in Pittsburgh.

Orpik smashed into the boards with the left side of his body at 7:31, with his hip appearing to take the brunt of the blow. He remained on the ice briefly to help guard the front of the net while bent over, then left.

The Penguins already were playing without two regular defensemen -- Sergei Gonchar, who has a broken wrist, and Kris Letang, who is missing his first game because of a shoulder contusion.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.