Hockey is all about physicality, but rarely does a player deliver a legal hit as brutal as Jakob Chychrun did on Tuesday night.
The Capitals defenseman laid out Ottawa’s Nick Cousins in the third period, frustrating Senators coach Travis Green and Cousins’ teammates.
Chychrun wasn’t called for a penalty, and the Capitals went on to win 3-2 on the road.
Here’s a look at the massive hit by Chychrun.
Jakob Chychrun levels Nick Cousins with violent hit
Chychrun delivered a shoulder to Cousins’ upper body, sending the Senators center to the ice. Cousins appeared to lie motionless before being helped back to the bench.
Jakob Chychrun absolutely BLOWS UP Nick Cousins and Cousins was out cold 🤕 https://t.co/USPvQn9LfJ
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 11, 2026
With the game tied, Cousins’ Senators teammates resisted brawling with Chychrun or other Capitals players, but the tension on the ice was evident. Chychrun was not penalized, with officials reviewing the hit for a major penalty but determining it was legal.
After the game, Green told reporters Cousins was “not doing great” and questioned the decision not to penalize Chychrun.
“You don’t usually see it where it goes from a major to no penalty,” Green said. “But I thought it was a head shot to a player that wasn’t ready for it.”
“You don’t usually see it where it goes from a major to no penalty. But I thought it was a head shot to a player that wasn’t ready for it. They must have saw it different…” — more from Travis on the Chychrun hit on Cousins.
— Julian McKenzie (@jkamckenzie) November 11, 2026
Senators center Ridly Greig told reporters he wanted to “be careful what I say” but said he doesn’t like “seeing that stuff.”
The Capitals would win in overtime on a Cole Hutson goal; Chychrun had an assist in the win.
