Photo: MassLive
Boston Bruins defenseman Dmitry Orlov, Ottawa Senators right wing Claude Giroux and Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending March 5, the league announced on Monday.
Orlov shared second place in the NHL with 3-6—9 and a +7 rating across four games to help the League-leading Bruins (49-8-5, 103 points) complete a perfect week and extend their winning streak to 10 contests dating to Feb. 14.
Acquired by Boston on Feb. 23, Orlov collected two assists (his first points in his second game as a Bruin) in a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers Feb. 27. He then registered consecutive three-point performances for the first time in his career, tallying 2-1—3 in a 4-3 overtime win against the Calgary Flames Feb. 28 and 1-2—3 in a 7-1 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres March 2 as Boston became the fastest team in NHL history to reach the 100-point milestone.
Orlov added an assist on the decisive goal in a 4-2 win versus the New York Rangers March 4, giving him 3-6—9 through his first five games with the Bruins. Only two defensemen in League history have recorded more points in their first five outings with a team: Harry Cameron with the 1917-18 Toronto Arenas (9-6—15 in franchise’s first five contests) and Paul Coffey with the 1992-93 Detroit Red Wings (2-8—10).
The 31-year-old Orlov, who played his first 686 NHL games with the Washington Capitals (60-196—256), has compiled 6-22—28 in 48 total appearances this season.
Washington traded Orlov and right-wing Garnet Hathaway to Boston for 2023 first-, 2025 second-, and 2024 third-round picks in addition right-wing Craig Smith.
Orlov equaled his goal total from this season in Washington and his nearly halfway (nine) to his point total (19) in 38 fewer games with Boston since the trade.
Washington made the deal in the midst of a season-long six-game regulation losing streak with the two sides struggling to agree on a contract extension. Orlov can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
By Harrison Brown
Of course.