News

Watch: Capitals’ Dmitry Orlov Flips Matt Duchene With Hip Check In 3-0 Win Over Avalanche

Dmitry Orlov, a Washington Capitals defenseman, flipped Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene with a perfectly-timed hip check in the first period of the Capital’s 3-0 home win Tuesday night.

Watch: Capitals’ Dmitry Orlov Flips Matt Duchene With Hip Check

The hit came just under six minutes into the game, with Duchene racing down the right wing while controlling the puck.

Caps analyst Craig Laughlin praised the check as the best hit he has seen in 25 years.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.


Despite what looked like a hard landing, however, Duchene immediately got up and continued playing. Perhaps the fact that the Colorado forward landed on his legs made the fall less painful.

Orlov didn’t receive any penalty and Duchene stayed in the game.

Orlov has previously taken down several other players with hip checks in his career.

In 2012, he flipped Steve Downie, then of the Tampa Bay Lightning:

In 2011, Orlov sent Winnipeg Jets forward Blake Wheeler flying. Orlov even did a hip check on his current teammate Lars Eller back when Eller was with the Montreal Canadiens.

Just last season, Orlov performed a hip check on New York Islanders forward Anders Lee.

T.J. Oshie scored two goals (one on a power play in the second period and one in the third), and Alex Ovechkin added his own power-play goal to lead the Capitals (2-0-1) to victory on Tuesday.

Goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 18 saves for his first NHL shutout. Semyon Varlamov made 37 saves for the Avalanche (2-1-0).

The Capitals will next visit the Florida Panthers on Thursday night, while the Avalanche will visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche flips over Dmitry Orlov #9 of the Washington Capitals in the first period at Verizon Center on October 18, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Tennessee Volunteers Part Ways With Chaz Coleman After Medical Disqualification

The Tennessee Volunteers have parted ways with edge rusher Chaz Coleman after a medical disqualification.…

1 hour ago

Marina Mabrey Establishes Herself As Face Of WNBA’s Expansion Team Toronto Tempo

Marina Mabrey begins a new chapter as a cornerstone for the Toronto Tempo and has…

1 hour ago

Morocco Defeats Netherlands On Penalties To Continue Historic World Cup Run

Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the Netherlands…

1 hour ago

After Mets Fire Carlos Mendoza, Can Interim Manager Andy Green Turn Things Around?

The New York Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday morning after a disappointing first…

2 hours ago

Alex Freeman Emerges For USMNT As Father Antonio Freeman Watches New Legacy Take Shape

The rise of United States defender Alex Freeman has become one of the more compelling…

2 hours ago

Brandon Aiyuk Taunts 49ers With Immature Social Media Posts & Accuses Ex-Agent Of Withholding Information

The ongoing saga between Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers has become one of…

13 hours ago