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Washington Capitals

Orlov Delivers Controversial Hit On Marchment; Could DoPS Look At It?

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Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals’ Thursday tilt with the Dallas Stars has been a tight, physical matchup, and a Dmitry Orlov hit in the second period is raising some controversy.

Orlov went in for an open-ice hit on Mason Marchment as they went 1-on-1 in the Capitals defensive zone. While checking, Orlov caught Marchment in the head with the forearm, sending Marchment hard to the ice. He stayed down for a moment as trainers attended to him, and there was ultimately no call on the play.

The Stars forward would remain in the game, though he did receive a roughing penalty later on.

Here’s the hit, which could potentially catch the attention of the NHL Department of Player Safety.

 

Per the NHL Rulebook Rule 48.1, “a hit resulting in contact with an opponent’s head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable is not permitted.” A minor penalty would be called, and a major penalty and game misconduct could also be considered.

In this case, it looks like Orlov was going for an open-ice hit and that perhaps the hit could have been avoided altogether. It’s unclear whether or not the league will discipline him, but hits to the head raise eyebrows.

Evgeny Kuznetsov already received a one-game suspension after high-sticking Kyle Burroughs in the face in the Oct. 17 tilt against the Vancouver Canucks. He was the first Washington skater suspended this season.