Stars and Sticks
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Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Penguins

By Michael Marzzacco

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 31: Washington Capitals Defenceman Dmitry Orlov (9) celebrates a goal with teammates during third period National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on January 31, 2020, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 31: Washington Capitals Defenceman Dmitry Orlov (9) celebrates a goal with teammates during third period National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on January 31, 2020, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 27: Washington Capitals defenceman Dmitry Orlov (9) passes the puck during the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens game on January 27, 2020, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 27: Washington Capitals defenceman Dmitry Orlov (9) passes the puck during the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens game on January 27, 2020, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Dmitry Orlov

While all eyes are on one Russian chasing a significant milestone, Dmitry Orlov has a milestone of his own on Sunday afternoon. Orlov will suit up in his 500th NHL game. He is the 30th Capitals player to reach the milestone and the 13th defensemen.

Per the game notes, this contest will also mark Orlov’s 399th consecutive game which is the fifth longest active streak in the NHL. Orlov will be ranked third behind John Carlson and Karl Alzner with the most consecutive games played with one team within their first 500 games.

Orlov had an assist on Evgeny Kuznetsov’s goal on Friday night. He has three goals and 20 assists for 23 points so far this season. He looks to light it up against the Penguins where he’s scored three times in his career and added six assists against Pittsburgh.

Orlov is on pace for 31 assists and 36 points which would set new career-highs in both categories. If he reaches 30 assists he would join the likes of Andrei Markov, Sergei Gonchar, Mikhail Sergachev, Slava Voynov, and Nikita Zaitsev as the only Russian defensemen to record 30 assists since 2010-11.

Orlov will look to keep the defense uptight in front of this next player who gets his first taste of the rivalry.

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