It was an afterthought at the time, but Radko Gudas delivered one of the biggest hits of the Capitals season in Game Four against the New York Islanders.
After Washington hemmed the Islanders into their defensive zone for two minutes, Cal Clutterbuck escaped with the puck and tried to advance it into the Capitals zone.
Gudas said NO with a devastating Dmitry Orlov-quality hip check.
Video
using your butt as a weapon >>> pic.twitter.com/9AiysmD2q1
— NBCSports Washington (@NBCSWashington) August 19, 2020
Not only was that a textbook hip check, I’m sure Clutterbuck felt like he was hit with a sack of hardcover books.
What @Sthvt said.
Radko GudAss
— Sean (@sthvt) August 19, 2020
Here’s another look.
#Allcaps Radko Gudas hip check💥 #Capitals #WSHvsNYI #NHLPlayoffs #NHL #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Lx2CUgXtGF
— GlendaleCardinals (@YotesGlendale) August 19, 2020
According to the New York Daily News, Clutterbuck left the game with an injury and did not return.
“I’ll look at it again,” Barry Trotz said after the game. “Anytime that you come low on a guy like that, that’s always a bit of an unwritten rule. But Cal could’ve gotten rid of the puck sooner, that’s for sure.”
Wednesday, Trotz said Clutterbuck seemed pretty good and will be a game-time decision for Game Five.
Trotz: Clutterbuck seems pretty good to go, should have everyone available. No practice today.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) August 19, 2020
Trotz: Clutterbuck (undisclosed) is a game-time decision
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) August 20, 2020
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Islanders
Screenshot courtesy of NBC Sports Washington
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