Dmitri Orlov potted his first career goal to give Washington a 2-1 win over Carolina on Sunday. The rookie blueliner has seven points and a minus-2 rating in 25 games with the Capitals this year.

Dmitri Orlov is expected to make his NHL debut on Monday. "We felt we needed a little shakeup, somebody with a little more energy on the back end," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. Orlov will probably play alongside blueliner Karl Alzner. Orlov is highly regarded and is worth keeping a close eye on.

The Washington Capitals have recalled Dmitry Orlov from Hershey of the AHL. Orlov has registered four goals and five assist to go along with 12 penalty minutes in 15 games with Hershey and is also tied for the team lead among defensemen in points. Orlov also brings more speed on the back end. He will participate in Washington's practice this afternoon. He might be worth a look in very deep leagues.

Dmitri Orlov was assigned to AHL Hershey on Tuesday. He had a strong showing at training camp and was close to earning spot with the Capitals, but the team wants him to get plenty of ice time in the minors. "Right now we have six and they're healthy," said coach Bruce Boudreau referring to his defensemen. "If they're not going to play because these six are going to play, we'd rather have them playing in Hershey than sitting and watching games here." Orlov should be among the first call-ups if injuries occur.

Dmitri Orlov will suit up in one last exhibition game on Sunday against Chicago hoping to prove that he belongs in the big show. The Washington Capitals haven't decided where Orlov will start the season. "We want to watch him again [Sunday] night and then we'll make some decisions [Sunday] night or Monday," McPhee said. "He's played well enough and when someone's playing that well you want to keep watching him and learn as much as you can about him -- Is he ready to play here? "He seems to be getting better with every game and we'll see how it goes," McPhee continued. "We haven't made a decision there but we sure like what we have in the player and he deserves to play another game."

Dmitri Orlov is still on Washington's roster at training camp. However, it doesn't mean that he won't begin the 2011-12 season in the minors. "It's a good sign that he'll play one more game, though, I would think," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "That's the only sign that I would think that we're trying to give off right now - probably Sunday he'll be in the lineup." Stay tuned.