Boston Bruins defenceman Dmitry Orlov, top, is congratulated by Hampus Lindholm (27) after his goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Boston. Orlov, Ottawa Senators right-wing Claude Giroux and Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Charles Krupa
NEW YORK – Boston Bruins defenceman Dmitry Orlov, Ottawa Senators right-wing Claude Giroux and Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Orlov tied for second in the league with nine points (three goals, six assists) and had a plus-7 rating over four games to help the league-leading Bruins extend their winning streak to 10 games with a 4-0-0 week.
Acquired from Washington on Feb. 23, Orlov started the week with two assists in his second game as a Bruin in a 3-2 win over Edmonton on Monday.
He then registered consecutive three-point performances for the first time in his career in a 4-3 overtime win against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday and a 7-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
Orlov added an assist on the decisive goal in a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Giroux also had three goals, six assists and a plus-7 rating in four contests to propel the Senators to their fifth straight win as they moved within three points of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
He had two goals and four assists as Ottawa swept back-to-back home games against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday and Tuesday.
Giroux then registered the game-winning goal and two assists in a 5-3 win over the Rangers on Thursday before being held off the scoresheet in a 5-2 victory against Columbus on Saturday.
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 maintain second place in the Central Division via a perfect three-game week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2023.