Photo: Bruce Bennett

Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik plays on the edge, always looking for the big hit. That’s why he’s a league leader in the statistic and universally respected among players. Tonight, Orpik landed a big hit on Cal Clutterbuck and may have seriously injured himself.

It was scary.

As Clutterbuck skated around John Carlson, he looked to make a play behind the net. Orpik, with several strides of steam, went in for the crushing blow. Orpik’s right leg caught Clutterbuck’s leg. Orpik’s blade then caught a rut in the ice. He crashed into the boards.

Orpik immediately threw his gloves off, and writhed in pain while on the ice. He held his right knee.

Head coach Barry Trotz looked on, stunned.

Orpik was called for roughing on the play.

The Capitals later announced that Orpik would be reevaluated Tuesday, revealing no information about the injury.

#Caps Brooks Orpik will not return to tonight's game and will be reevaluated tomorrow.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 30, 2014

Trotz sounded optimistic when talking to the press.

Trotz said Orpik's injury "not as bad as it looked, so that's a good thing."

— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) December 30, 2014

Orpik is a polarizing player among Caps fans, but he’s been eating big minutes on the top pair and number-one penalty-kill unit all season long. He also was coming off, arguably, his best game of the season.

Get well soon, Brooks.

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