Dmitry Orlov's first week as a Bruin could not have gone much better. In fact, according to the NHL, he was the best player in the league during it.
The NHL announced on Monday that Orlov has been named the league's First Star of the Week for the week ending on March 5.
That timeframe doesn't include Orlov's first game as a Bruin, but it does cover the four games since then. And during those four games, the veteran defenseman has been excellent, leading the team with nine points (three goals, six assists) during that span. He played 20:27 per game and was a plus-7 during those four games, all Bruins wins.
The Bruins acquired Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals in a three-team trade on Feb. 25 in exchange for Craig Smith and four draft picks.
Orlov has moved all over the depth chart through his first five games with Boston, playing on the first, second and third pair, and on both the left and right side. In Saturday's 4-2 win over the Rangers, he was paired with Charlie McAvoy on the top pairing for the second time, and the two were dominant while getting matched up against New York's loaded top two lines.
During the 12:13 that they were on the ice together at 5-on-5, the Bruins out-attempted the Rangers 17-4, outshot them 8-2, outscored them 2-0, and had an expected goals share of 96.3%.
On Monday, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery was asked if there's one spot where he's liked Orlov the most so far -- whether it's with McAvoy or elsewhere.
"I can't say there's one fit that I like best, because he's looked good with everybody," Montgomery said of Orlov. "They've all been good."
In the three games he wasn't with McAvoy, Orlov played his strong side with Brandon Carlo once, his off side with Hampus Lindholm once, and his off side with Derek Forbort once.
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