Jan 18, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) shoots the puck as Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) defends during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov faces a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Wednesday following his knee-on-knee collision with Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers on Tuesday night.
Ehlers was forced to leave the game, needing help off the ice. No penalty was called on Orlov, drawing the ire of Ehlers and the Jets.
“I’m disappointed,” Jets interim head coach Dave Lowry said. “When you lose a player, you’re disappointed. We have the luxury of replay. It’s a fast game. The four of them didn’t see it the same way we saw it.”
Lowry said Ehlers will be re-evaluated Wednesday. It’s expected he’ll miss at least a game.
The incident took place late in the third period. Ehlers’ knee was prone as Orlov skated in and led with his own knee into Ehlers’, dropping the forward. The Caps won the game 4-3 in overtime.
Ehlers, 25, is tied for third on the Jets with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists).
Orlov, 30, has 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) and 32 penalty minutes in 38 games. He had a goal and an assist against the Jets and served a two-minute minor for slashing earlier in the game.
–Field Level Media