The temptation is to call any hip check “old school.”
Considering the speed of the game and how easily a player can get out of position attempting such a hit, you don’t see many of them in the modern NHL.
Even so, is it accurate to call the hip check Dmitry Orlov delivered on Matt Duchene “old school?” It feels a bit more out of this world.
The Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche provided quite a flurry of activity during the first period of Tuesday’s game, as Francois Beauchemin somehow managed to save this goal with his skate.
Check out that moment in GIF form, via Stephanie Vail:
Update: After the game, it sounds like the hit generated some controversy, as Duchene vaguely noted.
Matt Duchene wasn't happy with the Orlov hit, but didn't want to comment "because I'll say something that might get me in trouble."
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) October 19, 2016
Nonetheless, the Capitals cruised to a 3-0 victory, giving Colorado its first loss of the season.