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

Bryce Young Reportedly Involved In ‘Big Fight’ At Panthers Training Camp

Bryce Young found himself in the middle of a training camp scuffle during the Carolina…

2 hours ago

Golfer Zach Holland Resigns From Club After Faking Hole-in-One on Camera

Amateur golfer Zach Holland, a 2-handicap player who competed collegiately at William Carey University, has…

2 hours ago

Vikings Name Kyler Murray Starting Quarterback For 2026 Season

The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray their Week 1 starting quarterback for the 2026…

3 hours ago

Real Madrid’s New Offensive Arsenal Takes Shape After Diomande Signing and Vinicius Renewal

Real Madrid is assembling one of the deepest attacking groups in European football after adding…

3 hours ago

WNBA To Continue Transgender Athlete Discussions After 2 Ex-NBA Players Declare for Draft Saying They Now Identify As Women

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to teams Friday afternoon addressing the league's ongoing…

1 day ago

Rodri Transfer Battle Intensifies As Real Madrid & Barcelona Compete For Spain Star

The race for Rodri has developed into one of the most intriguing transfer battles of…

1 day ago