Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov will have a phone hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday for boarding Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn on Sunday afternoon.
Midway through the third period, Schenn delivered a clean but heavy hit to Orlov behind the Capitals' net. As play continued, Orlov went searching for retribution, and 10 seconds after absorbing the check, the young Russian left his feet as he drove Schenn into the boards.
Orlov was assessed a five-minute major on the play, which overshadowed what had been up until that point a memorable afternoon; the 22-year-old scored twice, his first career multi-goal game. The penalty proved costly as the Flyers scored on the ensuing man-advantage and ultimately erased a two-goal deficit in a 5-4 overtime victory.
“We had a two-goal lead. You get hit behind the net hard, that’s their guy’s job, and I understand that you want payback, but you’ve got to be disciplined,” coach Adam Oates said. “You give them life. You give their good players life. . . . It’s an undisciplined play. I know he’s a young guy. We count on him a lot, but we need him to be under control. We need everybody to be under control there.”
Orlov was not made available for comment after the game.
A phone hearing means that Orlov, who does not have a prior disciplinary history, can receive a suspension of up to five games. Schenn was not injured on the play and returned to the game.
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This is the second time this season that a member of the Capitals has faced a disciplinary hearing as a result of a hard hit on Schenn; forward Tom Wilson earned a five-minute major and a game misconduct for charging Schenn in December. Wilson did not receive any supplementary discipline.
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