The NHL regular season opens tonight at 7pm with Washington at Boston and Montreal at Toronto, followed at 10pm by Vancouver at Calgary and San Jose at Colorado. The most interesting matchup of the night being Washington at Boston. Boston and Washington accounted for the No. 1 and No.2 seeds, respectively, in the Eastern Conference playoffs last season and both are favorites to win their division again this year.

Alexander Ovechkin is one of the most exciting players in NHL history, look no further than his goal in Game 5 of Washingtons playoff series against the New York Rangers last season. He has won two consecutive Hart Trophy’s as the leagues Most Valuable Player, the first player to do so since Dominik Hasek (’96-97, ‘97-98), and two consecutive Richard Trophy’s as the league leader in goals.

The Capitals also return several other key players, including Mike Green who missed several games last season with a shoulder injury. Green lead all defensemen in scoring, last season, while only playing in 68 games. Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin return on offense providing support to Ovechkin.

Jose Theodore is expected to start in the game tonight, but appears to be losing ground to Semyon Varlamov for the starting goalie position.
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The NHL season is just around the corner. The reigning Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled, as the Vancouver Canucks have cruised to a 5-0 record to this point. There are a few things around the league that merit mention:

“Olie the Goalie” retires
Former Vezina Trophy winner Olaf Kolzig retired after 14 seasons in the NHL. Kolzig was the first South African-born player to play in the NHL, drafted in 1989 by the Washington Capitals.

Kolzig ranks 21st in NHL history with 303 wins. He holds several Capitals team records; including wins, save percentage, and shutouts among many others.

Peter Forsberg to make another comeback
Forsberg signed a one-week contract with his hometown team in Modo, Sweden. Forsbergs career has been plagued with recurrent foot injuries that have forced him out of the NHL. His contract with Modo expires in time for him to play in the NHL this season, if he so chooses. When healthy, Forsberg is one of the most exciting players to watch; hopefully, this comeback will at least last an entire season.

Forsberg has attempted several comebacks, all of which have been cut short by his foot injury.

Panthers name Bryan McCabe captain
The Florida Panthers named 34-year old defenseman Bryan McCabe as captain. Cory Stillman and Stephen Weiss will serve as assistants.

McCabe has served as either captain or assistant captain for every team he has played for in his 14-year career; with the Islanders, Canucks, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, and now with the Panthers.