During Thursday night’s Montreal Canadiens game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Alexander Romanov threw one of the most beautiful body checks you’ll ever see in hockey. Sam Lafferty thought he had enough space to get past the young Russian on the outside, but Romanov pivoted and closed the distance in devastating fashion.
It was reminiscent of Larry Robinson, who was a master of giving attacking forwards a false sense of security before bringing his full weight upon them through a lowered shoulder. Mentioning any young player in the same breath as one of the greatest defensemen to ever play the game is ambitious praise, but take a look at this work of art.