The Capitals learned Monday they will be without defenseman Dmitry Orlov for the next two games.
Following an afternoon hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, Orlov was informed he will be suspended two games for his hit from behind on Flyers center Brayden Schenn 9:33 into the third period of the Capitals’ 5-4 loss on Sunday.
It is the first time Orlov has been suspended during his 101-game NHL career.
The hit proved to be a costly one to both Orlov and the Capitals. He was assessed a 5-minute boarding major on the play and the Flyers scored on the ensuing power play to erase a 4-2 deficit and record a win in overtime.
Orlov, 22, will miss the Caps’ rematch against the Flyers in Philadelphia on Wednesday and the Caps’ visit to Boston the following night.
The Capitals replaced him with Jack Hillen, who made it through a rehab game with the AHL Hershey Bears on Sunday and was recalled from Hershey on Monday. Hillen, 28, has been sidelined since Jan. 3 with a broken right leg, missing 60 games.
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In determining the length of Orlov’s suspension, the NHL took into account that Orlov was retaliating against Schenn for a hit Schenn put on him earlier in the same shift, and that Orlov left his feet to launch himself into Schenn, hitting him on the nameplate.
In 36 games for the Caps this season Orlov has three goals, six assists and 19 penalty minutes.
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