Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov has been suspended two games for his knee-on-knee hit on Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers.
When seeing as how Ehlers sustained an injury as a result of the hit, it isn’t that surprising to see that Orlov has received a multi-game suspension. In the past, we’ve seen NHL Player Safety give our bigger punishments when a player is injured from a dirty play. Ehlers has also been ruled for the remainder of Winnipeg’s current road trip.
This isn’t good news for the Capitals, as they have been struggling as of late. Although they have a 22-9-9 record, they only have won just four of their last 10 games. Now, Orlov will be out for Washington’s next games against the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators.
Over his career, Orlov has been suspended once previously, but that was all the way back in 2014. Therefore, he wasn’t technically a repeat offender, but he now has his second career suspension.
In 38 games this season, Orlov has five goals, 19 points, and a plus-17 rating. That kind of production from the back end will be missed by the Capitals over their next two games.
Photo Credit: © Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
