March 6, 2023

FIRST STAR – DMITRY ORLOV, D, BOSTON BRUINS

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.

SECOND STAR – CLAUDE GIROUX, RW, OTTAWA SENATORS

Giroux also notched 3-6—9 and a +7 rating in four contests to propel the Senators (32-26-4, 68 points) to their fifth straight win as they moved within three points of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. He totaled 2-4—6 during a sweep of a back-to-back set against the Detroit Red Wings, posting 1-3—4 (including the game-winning goal) in a 6-2 triumph Feb. 27 and 1-1—2 in a 6-1 victory Feb. 28. Giroux then registered 1-2—3 (and another decisive goal) in a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers March 2 before being held off the scoresheet in a 5-2 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets March 4. The 35-year-old Giroux is averaging more than a point per game during his first season with Ottawa (62 GP), leading the team in plus/minus (+8); ranking second in goals (t-26), assists (37) and game-winning goals (5); and placing third in points (63).

THIRD STAR – FILIP GUSTAVSSON, G, MINNESOTA WILD

Gustavsson stopped 70 of the 71 shots he faced, going 2-0-0 with a 0.48 goals-against average, .986 save percentage and one shutout to help the Wild (36-21-6, 78 points) maintain second place in the Central Division via a perfect three-game week. He made a career-high 39 saves – and denied all three shootout attempts – in a 2-1 victory against the New York Islanders Feb. 28. Gustavsson then earned his second career shutout with 31 stops, including 12 in the third period, in a 3-0 triumph over the Calgary Flames March 4. The 24-year-old Gustavsson has appeared in 29 total games this season (his third in the NHL and first with Minnesota), ranking second in the League in both goals-against average (1.99) and save percentage (.933) to go along with a 17-8-3 record.