Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images

Each week over the course of 10 weeks, NoVa Caps contributor Michael Marzzacco will take a look back at what he believes were the Top 10 Moments of the 2015-2016 Washington Capitals’ season.

#7: Dmitry Orlov’s Magic Trick, November 21, 2015

The Capitals hosted the Colorado Avalanche on a Saturday night in mid-November, as part of their annual season-long five game home stand around the Thanksgiving holiday. The Caps offense was rolling on all cylinders as they got a big 7-3 win. You can read the game recap by clicking here.

The Caps exploded out of the gates with four goals in the first period. Justin Williams got it started just over three minutes into the contest. Alex Ovechkin added a goal four minutes later. John Carlson and Nate Schmidt each found the back of the net to round out the scoring and the Caps headed to the first intermission up 4-0.

Colorado cut into the lead with two goals in the second period. In the third, a power play goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov put the Caps ahead 5-2. Then midway through the period, the magic happened.

Joe B comments: “Now you see him, now your don’t!” And Locker says: “…it started with a brilliant rush…Orlov on a sneak attack, makes it a 6-2 game!”

Orlov came down the ice and used a bit of wizardry as he picked up his own shot left deflected from the pads of Avs goaltender Calvin Pickard. With everybody thinking the netminder had the puck, Orlov then used sleight of hand to hide the puck. Nobody could find the puck! Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Orlov comes around from the back corner and completes the Houdini illusion by firing the biscuit out of nowhere past Pickard and into the back of the net. It’s safe to say everybody on the ice, as well as in the stands was “mindfreaked.”

Colorado added another goal but Karl Alzner put it away and sealed the 7-3 win.

In case you missed the other three moments you can take a look by clicking below:
#10: Kuzy’s Hat Trick | Washington Capitals vs Edmonton Oilers
#9: A Blowout at The Garden | Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers
#8: Justin Williams Hat Trick vs. NYR

By Michael Marzzacco

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