GIF: Capitals' Orpik sends Lightning's Namestnikov headfirst into the dasher

Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik could be hearing from the NHL's Department of Player Safety as a result of this terrifying hit on Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Vladislav Namestnikov in the first period of Saturday night's game.

(Courtesy: Fox Sports)

Luckily Namestnikov's hands were up, which probably saved him from serious injury. He never went down the tunnel and returned to the contest shortly thereafter.

Orpik was assessed a minor penalty for boarding, and an additional two minutes for roughing when he defended himself from Lightning forward Alex Killorn, who took exception to the hit.

If Orpik avoids suspension, it'll likely be because Namestnikov turned his back to Orpik immediately prior to the hit, as the .gif shows.