Boston Bruins. Game Notes. Thursday, October 1, 2009 NHL Game #1. Team Game: 1 Road Game: 1. Sweeney. Ramsay, Geoff Ward

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1 Game Notes Thursday, October 1, 2009 NHL Game # Washington Capitals Team Game: 1 Home Game: Team Game: 1 Road Game: # Goaltender GP W L OT GAA Sv% 30 Tim Thomas Tuukka Rask # P Player GP G A P +/- PIMs 53 D Derek Morris D Dennis Wideman R Chuck Kobasew L Marco Sturm (A) L Milan Lucic D Andrew Ference (A) L Shawn Thornton R Blake Wheeler L Steve Begin R Mark Recchi D Zdeno Chara (C) C Patrice Bergeron (A) D Mark Stuart C David Krejci D Matt Hunwick D Johnny Boychuk R Byron Bitz R Michael Ryder C Marc Savard # Goaltender GP W L OT GAA Sv% 40 Semyon Varlamov Jose Theodore # P Player GP G A P +/- PIMs 89 D Tyler Sloan D Brian Pothier D Tom Poti (A) D John Erskine L Alex Ovechkin (A) C Brendan Morrison R Matt Bradley R Boyd Gordon R Chris Clark (C) C Nicklas Backstrom C Brooks Laich R Mike Knuble (A) D Milan Jurcina D Shaone Morrisonn L Alexander Semin L David Steckel D Mike Green D Jeff Schultz C Michael Nylander Management General Manager Assistant General Managers Head Coach Assistant Coaches Goaltending Coach Peter Chiarelli Jim Benning, Don Sweeney Claude Julien Doug Houda, Craig Ramsay, Geoff Ward Bob Essensa Washington Capitals Management Vice President and General Manager Head Coach Assistant Coaches Assistant Coach/Video Goaltending Coach George McPhee Bruce Boudreau Dean Evason, Bob Woods Blaine Forsythe Arturs Irbe Tonight's Officials Referees Dave Jackson (8) & Steve Kozari (40) Linesmen Brian Murphy (93) & Tony Sericolo (84) Supervisor Video Goal Judge Chuck Napoli National Anthem Singer Rene Rancourt Today's Schedule (start times local) BOS : 7:00 TOR : 7:00 CGY : 8:00 COL : 8:00

2 : Roster Active (21 Players) SW# Name Pos Ht. Wt. Born Birth Place 53 Derek Morris D 6' 0" 221 Aug 24, 1978 Edmonton, AB, CAN 6 Dennis Wideman D 6' 0" 196 Mar 20, 1983 Kitchener, ON, CAN 12 Chuck Kobasew R 6' 0" 192 Apr 17, 1982 Vancouver, BC, CAN 16 Marco Sturm L 6' 0" 194 Sep 8, 1978 Dingolfing, DEU 17 Milan Lucic L 6' 4" 220 Jun 7, 1988 Vancouver, BC, CAN 21 Andrew Ference D 5' 11" 189 Mar 17, 1979 Edmonton, AB, CAN 22 Shawn Thornton L 6' 2" 217 Jul 23, 1977 Oshawa, ON, CAN 26 Blake Wheeler R 6' 5" 205 Aug 31, 1986 Robbinsdale, MN, USA 27 Steve Begin L 6' 0" 192 Jun 14, 1978 Trois-Rivières, QC, CAN 28 Mark Recchi R 5' 10" 195 Feb 1, 1968 Kamloops, BC, CAN 30 Tim Thomas G 5' 11" 201 Apr 15, 1974 Flint, MI, USA 33 Zdeno Chara D 6' 9" 255 Mar 18, 1977 Trencin, SVK 37 Patrice Bergeron C 6' 2" 194 Jul 24, 1985 Ancienne-Lorette, QC, CAN 40 Tuukka Rask G 6' 3" 169 Mar 10, 1987 Savonlinna, FIN 45 Mark Stuart D 6' 2" 213 Apr 27, 1984 Rochester, MN, USA 46 David Krejci C 6' 0" 177 Apr 28, 1986 Sternberk, CZE 48 Matt Hunwick D 5' 11" 190 May 21, 1985 Warren, MI, USA 55 Johnny Boychuk D 6' 2" 225 Jan 19, 1984 Edmonton, AB, CAN 61 Byron Bitz R 6' 3" 200 Jul 21, 1984 Saskatoon, SK, CAN 73 Michael Ryder R 6' 0" 186 Mar 31, 1980 Bonavista, NL, CAN 91 Marc Savard C 5' 10" 191 Jul 17, 1977 Ottawa, ON, CAN 21 Players Total Avg: 6' 1" 201 Age: 28.4 Goal Streaks No active streaks Assist Streaks No active streaks Point Streaks No active streaks Washington Capitals: Roster Active (21 Players) SW# Name Pos Ht. Wt. Born Birth Place 89 Tyler Sloan D 6' 4" 204 Mar 15, 1981 Calgary, AB, CAN 2 Brian Pothier D 6' 0" 204 Apr 15, 1977 New Bedford, MA, USA 3 Tom Poti D 6' 3" 197 Mar 22, 1977 Worcester, MA, USA 4 John Erskine D 6' 4" 220 Jun 26, 1980 Kingston, ON, CAN 8 Alex Ovechkin L 6' 2" 233 Sep 17, 1985 Moscow, RUS 9 Brendan Morrison C 5' 11" 185 Aug 15, 1975 Pitt Meadows, BC, CAN 10 Matt Bradley R 6' 3" 201 Jun 13, 1978 Stittsville, ON, CAN 15 Boyd Gordon R 6' 1" 200 Oct 19, 1983 Unity, SK, CAN 17 Chris Clark R 6' 0" 198 Mar 8, 1976 South Windsor, CT, USA 19 Nicklas Backstrom C 6' 1" 210 Nov 23, 1987 Gavle, SWE 21 Brooks Laich C 6' 2" 200 Jun 23, 1983 Wawota, SK, CAN 22 Mike Knuble R 6' 3" 223 Jul 4, 1972 Toronto, ON, CAN 23 Milan Jurcina D 6' 4" 236 Jun 7, 1983 Liptovsky, SVK 26 Shaone Morrisonn D 6' 4" 217 Dec 23, 1982 Vancouver, BC, CAN 28 Alexander Semin L 6' 2" 208 Mar 3, 1984 Krasnojarsk, RUS 39 David Steckel L 6' 5" 217 Mar 15, 1982 Milwaukee, WI, USA 40 Semyon Varlamov G 6' 2" 209 Apr 27, 1988 Samara, RUS 52 Mike Green D 6' 1" 204 Oct 12, 1985 Calgary, AB, CAN 55 Jeff Schultz D 6' 6" 230 Feb 25, 1986 Calgary, AB, CAN 60 Jose Theodore G 5' 11" 185 Sep 13, 1976 Laval, QC, CAN 92 Michael Nylander C 6' 1" 200 Oct 3, 1972 Stockholm, SWE 21 Players Total Avg: 6' 2" 208 Age: 28.7 Injured Reserve List (2 Players) 14 Tomas Fleischmann C 6' 1" 192 May 16, 1984 Koprivnice, CZE 16 Eric Fehr R 6' 4" 212 Sep 7, 1985 Winkler, MB, CAN Goal Streaks No active streaks Assist Streaks No active streaks Point Streaks No active streaks

3 Washington Team Records Washington Capitals Last Game: - - Next Game: - - Overall Record/Streak: / 0 / / 0 / 0 Home Record/Streak: / 0 / / 0 / 0 Road Record/Streak: / 0 / / 0 / 0 Last 5 Games: Last 10 Games: Goal Games: Goal Games: Goal Games: Scoring First: Opponent Scoring First: Leading After 1st Period: Trailing After 1st Period: Tied After 1st Period: Leading After 2st Period: Trailing After 2st Period: Tied After 2st Period: Overtime Record - This Season: Overtime Record - Franchise: Shootout Record - This Season: Shootout Record - Franchise: Outshoot Opponent: Outshot By Opponent: Even Shots: vs. Northeast: vs. Atlantic: vs. Southeast: vs. EASTERN CONFERENCE: vs. Central: vs. Pacific: vs. Northwest: vs. WESTERN CONFERENCE: Month By Month Records Washington Capitals W-L-OT Points W-L-OT Points October: November: December: January: February: March: April: Totals:

4 Washington Stats Details Goals By Period OT T Avg Washington Capitals: Opponents: : Opponents: Shots By Period OT T Avg Washington Capitals: Opponents: : Opponents: Power Play Washington Capitals G ATT PCT G ATT PCT Overall: Home: Road: Penalty Killing Washington Capitals G ATT PCT G ATT PCT Overall: Home: Road: Penalties Washington Capitals GP Min Avg./Rank GP Min Avg./Rank Goal Situations Washington Capitals For Against For Against 5 on 5: on 4: on 3: on 4: on 3: on 3: on 4: on 5: on 5: Empty Net: Penalty Shot: Total:

5 Individual Leaders Points: Goals: Assists: PP Goals: SH Goals: GW Goals: 3+ Goals: PIM: Shots: Plus/Minus: Washington Stats Details Washington Capitals Shootout Washington Capitals Shooter G/A Pct. GWG Alexander Semin 3 / Michael Nylander 1 / Nicklas Backstrom 1 / Alex Ovechkin 2 / Brooks Laich 0 / Boyd Gordon 0 / Goaltender Record G/S % Jose Theodore 4-4 6/ Shooter G/A Pct. GWG Blake Wheeler 4 / Michael Ryder 1 / David Krejci 1 / Marc Savard 0 / Zdeno Chara 0 / Patrice Bergeron 0 / Goaltender Record G/S % Tim Thomas 4-4 9/28.679

6 Washington Capitals (3-0-1) Season Series Capitals Attend Goaltenders W. Goal Jan 27, ,565 Tim Thomas / Jose Theodore David Krejci Feb 28, ,565 Jose Theodore / Tim Thomas Alexander Semin Washington Bruins Capitals Attend Goaltenders W. Goal Dec 10, ,697 Brent Johnson / Manny Fernandez Alexandre Giroux Jan 17, ,277 Jose Theodore / Tim Thomas Alexander Semin Capitals Head To Head Stats Player GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW EN S % Alexander Semin Mike Knuble Mike Green Alexander Ovechkin Nicklas Backstrom Michael Nylander Tomas Fleischmann Brooks Laich Tom Poti Alexandre Giroux Jeff Schultz Milan Jurcina Matt Bradley Chris Clark Shaone Morrisonn John Erskine Brendan Morrison Sean Collins Boyd Gordon Eric Fehr David Steckel Tyler Sloan Karl Alzner Oskar Osala Goaltender GP Min GA GAA SO W L OT SA SV% Jose Theodore Power play 4-18 (22.2%) Penalty Killing 8-12 (66.7%) Bruins Head To Head Stats Player GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW EN S % Marc Savard Zdeno Chara Mark Recchi Matt Hunwick Derek Morris Patrice Bergeron David Krejci Shawn Thornton Milan Lucic Chuck Kobasew Dennis Wideman Byron Bitz Mark Stuart Andrew Ference Vladimir Sobotka Blake Wheeler Michael Ryder Steve Begin Derek Morris Goaltender GP Min GA GAA SO W L OT SA SV% Tim Thomas Power play 4-16 (25%) Penalty Killing (71.4%)

7 : Media Notes SEASON RECAP: - The Bruins concluded their season with the third-best record in their history while leading the Eastern Conference with a record and 116 points... They were second overall in the NHL in to San Jose (117 points). - They had the league's second-best home (64 points; San Jose, 68 points) and road (52 points; Detroit, 53 points) records and finished with the four-best power play at 23.6%... They scored the most goals in the Eastern Conference with 274 and were second overall in the NHL to Detroit's The Bruins were the only team in the league to allow fewer than 200 goals at 196 and their +78 goal differential (for over against) was 25 points better than the next-best team in that category (San Jose, +53) PRE-SEASON: - The Bruins concluded their 2009 pre-season schedule with a record... That included wins over NY Rangers (2-1 Sept. 15), Toronto (3-2 Sept. 16), Montreal (2-1 each Sept. 20 &24) and Ottawa (2-1 Sept. 25); losses to NY Rangers (5-2 Sept. 19) and Columbus (4-2 Sept. 26); and a shootout loss to the Blue Jackets (6-5 Sept. 22). - Marc Savard led the Bruins in pre-season scoring with 2-3=5 totals in five games. INJURIES: - None Reported. RECENT TRANSACTIONS: - Sept. 30: Vladimir Sobotka assigned to Providence (AHL). - Sept. 28: Brad Marchand, Zach Hamill, Drew Fata, Drew Larman, Guillaume Lefebvre, Dany Sabourin, Trent Whitfield and Andy Wozniewski assigned to Providence (AHL). - Sept. 26: Don Sweeney named Assistant General Manager. - Sept. 26: Guillaume Lefebvre signed to a one-year contract as a free agent. - Sept. 26: Mikko Lehtonen, Jeff LoVecchio and Adam McQuaid assigned to Providence (AHL). - Sept. 23: Jamie Arniel, Andrew Bodnarchuk, Jeff Penner and Kevin Regan assigned to Providence (AHL). TONIGHT'S GAME: - The Bruins host the Capitals tonight in the season-opening game for both teams... It is the first of four meetings between these teams this season and the first of two games of this season's series at TD Garden. BOSTON SEASON OPENERS: - The Bruins are opening their season at home for the first time since the season, as their last three opening games have come on the road. - The Bruins are all-time in season-opening games and they are when those games have occurred on home ice. - The Bruins won their first game of the season with a 5-4 victory in Colorado on Oct. 9, That snapped a stretch dating back to their last opening night win, a 4-2 victory vs. Anaheim in Boston on Oct. 4, The Bruins are in their last 13 season-opening games following an eight-game opening night win streak from The Bruins have gone to overtime in a season opener on ten occasions with a record in those contests... Their last season opener to go to overtime came with a 3-3 tie vs. New Jersey on Oct. 8, Their last season opener to be decided in overtime was a 3-2 win over Hartford on Oct. 8, The Bruins are opening this season with a team-record five-game home stand... Their longest previous home stand to start a season was four straight games from Nov , They opened with three straight home games each in the and seasons. BOSTON vs. WASHINGTON, LIFETIME SERIES: - The Bruins and Capitals are meeting for the 128th time in this lifetime series with the Bruins holding a record while outscoring Washington by a margin... Three of the last five meetings between these teams have been decided in overtime or shootout. - The Bruins are lifetime vs. Washington in the 64 games played on their home ice with a scoring edge in those contests... The Bruins have taken points out of their last 14 straight home games vs. the Capitals at with their last home regulation loss to Washington a 2-0 setback on Dec. 2, The Bruins were vs. the Capitals in their season series... Washington is just one of two Eastern Conference teams against whom the Bruins did not have a winning record last season (2-3-1 vs. Buffalo). MILESTONES APPROACHING (Player... Needs... Milestone): Mark Recchi... 3 assists NHL assists Marc Savard... 5 goals NHL goals Dennis Wideman... 5 assists NHL assists

8 ROSTER NOTES: Of the 21 players on the current Boston roster: - Only two were not in the Bruins organization (playing either in Boston or Providence) last season... Steve Begin was signed as a free agent on July 1, 2009 and Derek Morris was signed as a free agent on July 25, Begin played for Montreal and Dallas last season while Morris skated for Phoenix and NY Rangers in Four players (Matt Hunwick, Johnny Boychuk, Byron Bitz and Tuukka Rask) are opening the season on an NHL roster for the first time in their careers. - Six Bruins were first round selections in their draft years... Chuck Kobasew (14th overall in 2001 to Calgary); Derek Morris (13th overall in 1996 to Calgary); Tuukka Rask (21st overall in 2005 to Toronto); Mark Stuart (21st overall in 2003 to Boston); Marco Sturm (21st overall in 1996 to San Jose); and Blake Wheeler (fifth overall in 2004 to Phoenix). - Six players were drafted by Boston (Bergeron, Bitz, Hunwick, Krejci, Lucic, Stuart)... Seven players were acquired via trade (Boychuk, Ference, Kobasew, Rask, Recchi, Sturm, Wideman)... Eight players were signed as free agents (Begin, Chara, Morris, Ryder, Savard, Thomas, Thornton, Wheeler). - Eight players enjoyed career-best seasons in various categories: Zdeno Chara (19 goals); Chuck Kobasew (21 assists &42 points); David Krejci (22 goals, 51 assists &73 points); Milan Lucic (17 goals, 25 assists &42 points); Mark Stuart (5 goals, 11 assists &16 points); Tim Thomas (36 wins &5 shutouts); Shawn Thornton (6 goals &11 points); and Dennis Wideman (37 assists &48 points). - Two Bruins are defending Trophy winners, as Tim Thomas earned his first Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in while Zdeno Chara took home his first Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman... Both were also named to the NHL's First All- Star Team... They joined Claude Julien on the podium, as he took the Adams Award as the NHL's top coach. FUN FACTS: - Mark Recchi enters this season as the NHL's active leader in career assists (897) and points (1,442)... He ranks second among active players in games played (1,490) and fourth in goals (545). - Mark Stuart enters this season as the team's reigning iron man, having played the last 164 consecutive regular season games and 182 straight regular season and playoff contests... He has not missed a game since breaking into the NHL on a full-time basis in The Bruins will host the Philadelphia Flyers in the Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1st... Two Bruins - Steve Begin and Michael Ryder - played in the league's first regular season outdoor game as members of the Montreal Canadiens when they took on Edmonton on Nov. 22, 2003 in Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. BACK-TO-BACK GAMES: - The Bruins will play 17 sets of consecutive-night games this season... They will play one home-home series; six home-road sets; two road-home series; and eight road-road contests. - The Bruins played 16 sets of back-to-back games in and compiled a in the first game of those series and an mark in the second game of those pairings. AFTERNOON GAMES: - Boston will play 19 games this season with a start time prior to 6:00 p.m of those games will take place on home ice with eight matinees on the road. DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR WINTER CLASSIC TICKET LOTTERY: - The deadline to enter the online ticket lottery for the Bridgestone/NHL Winter Classic is Monday, October 5 at 11:59 a.m. There is no fee to register. - The Bruins will host the Philadelphia Flyers on January 1 at Fenway Park in the 2010 Bridgestone/NHL Winter Classic. The only way to purchase tickets is to enter the lottery drawing at - Registrants selected in the drawing will be notified by Oct. 20 of their opportunity to purchase one pair of tickets (seated together). Prices range from $50 to $350.

9 : Head Coach and Goalie Bios Head Coach: Claude Julien - Won the Jack Adams Trophy as the League's top coach in while leading the team to the best record in the Eastern Conference at and 116 points. - Has a record (481 points) in 402 NHL games coached for a.598 win percentage. - Has a record (210 points) in 164 Boston games coached for a.640 win percentage. #30: Tim Thomas 5' 11", 201 Apr 15, 1974 Last Win: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Last SO: APR 4, 2009 vs NY RANGERS (2) GP W-L-OT GAA Sv% Season Career Went with a 2.27 goals against average in three pre-season games. - Won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender, shared the Jennings Trophy for fewest team goals allowed, and was named a First Team NHL All-Star in as he led the NHL with a 2.10 goals against average and.933 save percentage... Had a careerhigh 36 wins as well. - FUN FACTS: His 36 wins last season were the most by a Boston goaltender since (Andy Moog, 37)... Has averaged 31.3 wins over his last three seasons... Has been the winning goaltender in each of the last two NHL All-Star Games, just the fifth time in league history a goaltender has won consecutive All-Star contests... Was invited to Team USA's Olympic training camp this past August. #40: Tuukka Rask RASK, TOO-ka 6' 3", 169 Mar 10, 1987 Last Win: JAN 31, 2009 vs NY RANGERS Last SO: JAN 31, 2009 vs NY RANGERS GP W-L-OT GAA Sv% Season Career Went with a 2.00 goals against average in three pre-season games. - Played his only Boston game of the season with his first career NHL shutout in a 1-0 win over the NY Rangers on Jan Went with a 2.50 GAA in 57 Providence games last season. - FUN FACTS: Ranked second in the AHL in wins last season... Plays the drums.

10 : Skater Bios #53: Derek Morris 6' 0", 221 Aug 24, 1978 Last Goal: FEB 12, 2009 vs VANCOUVER (24) Last Assist: APR 12, PHILADELPHIA Season Career Is expected to play his first game as a Bruin tonight after signing with the team as a free agent on July 25, Led team defensemen in scoring during the pre-season with three assists and 0 PIM in five games. - Split between Phoenix (5-7=12 totals in 57 games) and NY Rangers (0-8=8 totals in 18 games following Mar. 4 trade). - FUN FACTS: 46.1% of his career goals have been scored on the power play (35 of 76) while 27.6% have proven game-winners (21 of 76)... Has missed just seven of 246 games over the last three seasons. #6: Dennis Wideman WIDE-man 6' 0", 196 Mar 20, 1983 Last Goal: MAR 29, PHILADELPHIA (5) Last Assist: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Season Career Is five assists shy of his 100th NHL career assist. - Had two assists and 4 PIM in five pre-season games. - Established career season-highs in assists and points while tying his career-high in goals in with 13-37=50 totals. - FUN FACTS: Is a +43 in his two full seasons in Boston, including a +32 rating last season which ranked sixth overall in the NHL and second among league defensemen... His seven-game point streak in was the longest such streak by a Boston defenseman since Ray Bourque in 1995 (eight games). #12: Chuck Kobasew KOH buh soo 6' 0", 192 Apr 17, 1982 Last Goal: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Last Assist: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Season Career Had two goals and 7 PIM in five pre-season games. - Had 21 goals and a career-high 42 points in 68 games in FUN FACTS: Has scored at least 20 goals in three of his last four seasons... Was named the MVP of the 2001 Frozen Four as his Boston College Eagles won the NCAA championship. #16: Marco Sturm STERM 6' 0", 194 Sep 8, 1978 Last Goal: DEC 18, 2008 vs TORONTO Last Assist: NOV 6, 2008 vs TORONTO (6) Season Career Had two assists with 0 PIM in two pre-season games played. - His season was limited to 19 games with 7-6=13 totals due to concussion-like symptoms and a season-ending knee injury which required Jan. 13 surgery. - FUN FACTS: Has scored 20+ goals in each of his last six full seasons... His three penalty shots taken as a Bruin tie him for the club's all-time lead with John Bucyk and P. J. Axelsson... Is the all-time NHL leader in games, goals, assists and points by players born and raised in Germany. #17: Milan Lucic LOO-cheech, ME-lan 6' 4", 220 Jun 7, 1988 Last Goal: APR 2, 2009 vs OTTAWA (5) Last Assist: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Season Career Was second in the team's pre-season scoring race with four assists and 20 PIM in five games. - Had career-high 17-25=42 totals and 136 PIM in 72 games in , including his first career hat trick scored Oct. 25 vs. Atlanta. - FUN FACTS: Was invited to Team Canada's Olympic training camp in August... The 2010 Olympic Games will be played in his hometown of Vancouver... Was named the MVP of the 2007 Memorial Cup tournament as his Vancouver Giants took the championship.

11 #21: Andrew Ference FERR-ents 5' 11", 189 Mar 17, 1979 Last Goal: FEB 22, TAMPA BAY (18) Last Assist: MAR 14, 2009 vs NY ISLANDERS (8) Season Career Had 1-1=2 totals with 0 PIM in three pre-season games. - Had 1-15=16 totals in , matching his second-best offensive output despite playing in a career-low 47 games. - FUN FACTS: Has 13 tattoos... Spoke on environmental issues this past summer at Canada's New Democratic Party's federal convention. #22: Shawn Thornton 6' 2", 217 Jul 23, 1977 Last Goal: MAR 28, TORONTO (5) Last Assist: FEB 24, 2009 vs FLORIDA (18) Season Career Had 1-2=3 totals with 20 PIM in four pre-season games. - Enjoyed his best NHL season in with 6-5=11 totals with 123 PIM in a career-high 79 games. - FUN FACTS: Sparred with USA Boxing Certified Coach Tommy McInerney at The Ring Boxing Club in Boston as part of his offseason workout regimen... Three of his ten career goals as a Bruin have been game-winning tallies... Has won a Stanley Cup championship (Anaheim, 2007). #26: Blake Wheeler 6' 5", 205 Aug 31, 1986 Last Goal: APR 4, 2009 vs NY RANGERS (4) Last Assist: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Season Career Had two assists with 8 PIM in six pre-season games. - Had 21-24=45 totals in 81 games during his rookie NHL season in , becoming the first 20-goal Boston rookie since FUN FACTS: Finished second to teammate David Krejci (+37) in the league's plus/minus standings at His first career hat trick scored Nov. 6, 2008 vs. Toronto came in his 13th NHL game and was the fastest hat trick by a Boston rookie since 1988 when Craig Janney netted three in his fifth game... Was named MVP of the Young Stars Game during the NHL's All-Star Weekend festivities in 2009 with a four-goal game. #27: Steve Begin 6' 0", 192 Jun 14, 1978 Last Goal: MAR 12, 2009 vs CAROLINA (12) Last Assist: MAR 24, 2009 vs VANCOUVER (9) Season Career Is expected to play his first game as a Bruin tonight after signing with the team as a free agent on July 1, Had one goal and 10 PIM in two pre-season games. - Split the season between Montreal (6-4=10 totals in 42 games) and Dallas (1-1=2 totals in 20 games following a Feb. 26 trade). - FUN FACTS: His 62 combined games last season were the second-highest total of his NHL career (76 in )... Has previously played with four current Bruins in Calgary (Andrew Ference, Chuck Kobasew, Derek Morris, Marc Savard) and he also played with Michael Ryder in Montreal. #28: Mark Recchi 5' 10", 195 Feb 1, 1968 Last Goal: APR 11, BUFFALO (1) Last Assist: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Season Career Is three assists shy of his 900th NHL career assist. - Had two assists and 0 PIM in four pre-season games. - Ranked third in the Lightning scoring race with 13-32=45 totals in 62 games before his Mar. 4 trade to Boston and finished the season with 10-6=16 totals in 18 Boston contests. - FUN FACTS: Enters this season as the league's active leader in assists and points... Has won two Stanley Cups (1991 with Pittsburgh, 2006 with Carolina)... Has scored 20+ goals in 16 seasons, including eight of his last nine... Boston is his seventh NHL team (Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Montreal, Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay)... Has been traded at the NHL's trading deadline on three occasions (1999, 2006, 2009). #33: Zdeno Chara

12 CHA-rah, zah-day-noh 6' 9", 255 Mar 18, 1977 Last Goal: APR 9, 2009 vs MONTREAL Last Assist: APR 9, 2009 vs MONTREAL Season Career Had one goal and 4 PIM in four pre-season games. - Had 19-31=50 totals in 80 games last season while winning the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman. - FUN FACTS: His 19 goals in were the most by a Boston defenseman since Ray Bourque netted 19 in Has hit the 50-point mark in each of his last two seasons... Speaks seven languages (English, Slovak, Czech, German, Swedish, Russian, Polish). #37: Patrice Bergeron BUR-jer-on, pah-treece 6' 2", 194 Jul 24, 1985 Last Goal: APR 9, 2009 vs MONTREAL Last Assist: APR 9, 2009 vs MONTREAL Season Career Had three assists with 0 PIM in five pre-season games. - Had 8-31=39 totals in 64 games last season after playing just ten games in due to a serious concussion. - FUN FACTS: Has twice scored 20-or-more goals and in became the youngest Bruin in history to score 30 in a season with Is in his seventh pro season at just 24 years old. #45: Mark Stuart 6' 2", 213 Apr 27, 1984 Last Goal: FEB 24, 2009 vs FLORIDA (21) Last Assist: APR 9, 2009 vs MONTREAL (2) Season Career Is playing his 197th NHL game tonight. - Had one goal and 11 PIM in five pre-season games. - Had career offensive highs in all categories in with five goals and 17 points. - FUN FACTS: Is the team's reigning iron man, having played the last 164 regular season and 182 straight regular season and playoff games... Has not missed a game since breaking into the NHL on a full-time basis in He followed brothers Mike and Colin as captain at Colorado College and both older brothers also preceded him in the NHL draft, Mike by Nashville in 2000 and Colin by Atlanta in #46: David Krejci KRAY-chee 6' 0", 177 Apr 28, 1986 Last Goal: MAR 28, TORONTO (8) Last Assist: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Season Career Did not play during the pre-season rehabbing from June hip surgery. - Was second in the team's scoring race last season with 22-51=73 totals and was one of three Bruins to play in every game. - FUN FACTS: Led the NHL in plus/minus in at Won the team's Seventh Player Award last year as that player voted by fans as 'having performed beyond expectations'. #48: Matt Hunwick 5' 11", 190 May 21, 1985 Last Goal: MAR 19, 2009 vs LOS ANGELES (10) Last Assist: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Season Career Is starting the season on an NHL roster for the first time in his three pro seasons. - Was scoreless with 2 PIM in five pre-season games. - Had 6-21=27 totals in 53 Boston games last season, third among club defensemen. - FUN FACTS: His six-game point streak in November, 2008 tied the club record for rookie defensemen set in 1980 by Hall-of-Famer Ray Bourque... Was a teammate of Mark Stuart on the Team USA 2004 World Junior Championship squad that won the nation's firstever Gold medal in that tournament. #55: Johnny Boychuk

13 6' 2", 225 Jan 19, 1984 Last Goal: Last Assist: Season Career Is starting the season on an NHL roster for the first time in his six pro seasons. - Played one scoreless game in Boston last season, Dec. 4 at Tampa Bay... Spent most of the season in Providence (AHL) with 20-46=66 totals in 78 AHL Bruins games. - FUN FACTS: Was named the AHL's Eddie Shore Award winner as the league's top defenseman last season while leading AHL blueliners in scoring with a Providence team defenseman record 66 points... If he could play with any Bruin in history, he'd pick Ray Bourque. #61: Byron Bitz 6' 3", 200 Jul 21, 1984 Last Goal: FEB 26, 2009 vs ANAHEIM (14) Last Assist: MAR 3, 2009 vs PHILADELPHIA (12) Season Career Is starting the season on an NHL roster for the first time in his three pro seasons. - Was scoreless with 9 PIM in five pre-season games. - Played 35 Boston games last season after a January 10 recall from Providence with 4-3=7 totals. - FUN FACTS: Was married this past summer to wife Christina... Plays the saxophone... Graduated from Cornell with a Business degree. #73: Michael Ryder 6' 0", 186 Mar 31, 1980 Last Goal: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Last Assist: APR 11, BUFFALO (1) Season Career Had 1-2=3 totals with 2 PIM in five pre-season games. - Had 27-26=53 totals in 74 games in FUN FACTS: Has scored 25+ goals in four of his last five seasons, including two 30-goal campaigns... Has played under Coach Claude Julien on four teams (Hull, QMJHL; Hamilton, AHL; Montreal &Boston, NHL). #91: Marc Savard sa-vahrd 5' 10", 191 Jul 17, 1977 Last Goal: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Last Assist: APR 12, NY ISLANDERS Season Career Is five goals shy of his 200th NHL career goal. - Led the team in pre-season scoring with 2-3=5 totals and 8 PIM in five games. - Led the team in scoring for the third straight season in with 25-63=88 totals in 82 games... It was his fifth 20+ goal season. - FUN FACTS: Ranks second in assists among all league players over the last four seasons with Has played in each of the last two NHL All-Star Games and scored the game-winning goal in the 2008 contest with less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation... Has missed just eight of 246 games in his three seasons in a Boston uniform.

14 Washington Capitals: Media Notes INJURIES LW Tomas Fleischmann out RW Eric Fehr out Total Man-Games Lost: 0 RECENT TRANSACTIONS Sept. 30: Capitals recalled LW Boyd Kane from Hershey (AHL) and assigned G Michal Neuvirth to Hershey. Pittsburgh claimed LW Chris Bourque off waivers. Sept. 28: Capitals assigned Karl Alzner, Keith Aucoin, Alexandre Giroux and Brandon Sugden to Hershey (AHL). TONIGHT'S GAME Washington visits Boston tonight to open the season in a nationally televised game featuring the Eastern Conference's top two teams in CAPITALS OFFICIAL GUIDE The Washington Capitals Official Guide is available for download (.pdf) at WashingtonCaps.com (click on "Team"). LAST GAME Washington 4, NY Rangers 3 September 27, 2009 * Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. Score by Period Shots Pen/Min PP NYR /8 1-6 WSH / Washington built a 4-0 lead through two periods and held on for a 4-3 win, closing out the preseason with a record. Brooks Laich had a goal and an assist while Semyon Varlamov stopped 28 Ranger shots, including 17 during their third-period rally. UPCOMING GAMES Date Opponent Location Time (ET) Caps TV Caps Radio Oct. 3 Toronto Verizon Center 7 p.m. CSN (HD) FM Oct. 6 at Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pa. 7 p.m. VERSUS (HD) 1500 AM, 820 AM Oct. 8 N.Y. Rangers Verizon Center 7 p.m. CSN (HD) 1500 AM, 820 AM Oct. 10 at Detroit Detroit, Mich. 7 p.m. CSN (HD) 1500 AM, 820 AM Oct. 12 New Jersey Verizon Center 7 p.m. CSN (HD) 1500 AM, 820 AM NOTE OF THE NIGHT Start at the top The top two teams in the Eastern Conference in square off to open the season. These two teams combined for four of the six members of the NHL First All-Star Team last season (Zdeno Chara, Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin and Tim Thomas) as well as the top two finishers in the Norris Trophy voting (Chara and Green). FIVE MORE NOTES NO MEDIA PERSON SHOULD BE WITHOUT Get it started Washington is an even.500 in season openers in the club's history ( ) as it starts its 35th season. The Capitals have only faced the Bruins once in a season opener, a 4-3 Boston win on Oct. 8, Washington is overall when opening the season on the road and is starting on the road for the fourth season in a row. Jump start This matches the earliest start in Capitals history; Washington opened on Oct. 1 once before, winning 4-1 at Toronto in Intros needed Washington's two significant free agent acquisitions, Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison, should make their Capitals debuts tonight. Knuble and Morrison have been teammates before at the University of Michigan and with Linkopings in Sweden in Four players left wings Boyd Kane and Quintin Laing, defenseman Tyler Sloan and goaltender Semyon Varlamov have made an NHL opening-night roster for the first time in their careers. Familiar faces Washington's top five point scorers and top six goal scorers from last season are on the opening-night roster, as are seven of the top eight defensemen (by games played) and the top two goaltenders. Popular guys Each of Washington's first three games are televised nationally in either the U.S. (tonight and Tuesday, VERSUS) or Canada (Saturday, CBC).

15 SERIES NOTES Washington trails, , including in Boston Eight of the last 13 meetings have gone to overtime The losing team has been held to two goals or fewer in 13 of the last 15 meetings Washington's roster includes two Massachusetts natives: Brian Pothier (New Bedford) and Tom Poti (Worcester) The Capitals roster includes former Bruins Milan Jurcina, Mike Knuble, Shaone Morrisonn and Michael Nylander MORE CAPS NOTES Lucky 13? Washington plays 13 games in the month of October. Each of the four previous times that the Capitals have had 13 October games they have reached at least the second round of the playoffs in the following spring ( , , and ). Goalie goodies Should Jose Theodore get the start tonight he would become the first Capitals goaltender to start back-to-back season openers since Olie Kolzig in and ' Should Semyon Varlamov get the nod he would be the fourth Capitals season-opener starting goalie in as many years (Olie Kolzig, Brent Johnson, Jose Theodore previously). Whatever you say, Coach Tonight's game features the last two Jack Adams Award winners: Boston's Claude Julien (2009) and Washington's Bruce Boudreau (2008). Reigning champ Alex Ovechkin enters as the two-time defending Hart Trophy winner. Only two players in history have won the Hart three years in a row: Wayne Gretzky ( ) and Bobby Orr ( ).

16 Washington Capitals: Head Coach and Goalie Bios Head Coach: Bruce Boudreau * Has a career record of in 143 games * The fastest Capitals coach to 50 wins (85 games) and the fifth-winningest Caps coach all-time * 2008 Jack Adams Award winner in his first full season as an NHL head coach #40: Semyon Varlamov SEHM-yahn var-la-mohv 6' 2", 209 Apr 27, st NHL / 1st WSH Season Last Win: APR 7, ATLANTA Last SO: * Made the opening-night roster for the first time after shining in the playoffs last season * Is in 6 career regular-season appearances GP W-L-OT GAA Sv% Season Career #60: Jose Theodore JOE-zay THEE-uh-dohr 5' 11", 185 Sep 13, th NHL / 2nd WSH Season Last Win: APR 9, TAMPA BAY (1) Last SO: MAR 17, FLORIDA (7) * Ranks sixth among active goalies in games played and eighth in wins GP W-L-OT GAA Sv% Season Career

17 Washington Capitals: Skater Bios #89: Tyler Sloan 6' 4", 204 Mar 15, nd NHL / 2nd WSH Season Last Goal: OCT 25, DALLAS (23) Last Assist: JAN 10, MONTREAL * Eighth-year pro has made an NHL opening-night roster for the first time Season Career #2: Brian Pothier POH-thee-uhr 6' 0", 204 Apr 15, th NHL / 4th WSH Season Last Goal: MAR 27, 2009 vs TAMPA BAY (5) Last Assist: APR 11, FLORIDA * Led Caps defensemen with 4 points (1g-3a) in the preseason (4 GP) Season Career #3: Tom Poti POH-tee 6' 3", 197 Mar 22, st NHL / 3st WSH Season Last Goal: NOV 22, SAN JOSE (37) Last Assist: FEB 28, BOSTON (15) Season Career #4: John Erskine UHR-skin 6' 4", 220 Jun 26, th NHL / 4th WSH Season Last Goal: JAN 19, 2008 vs FLORIDA (77) Last Assist: MAR 17, FLORIDA (8) Season Career #8: Alex Ovechkin oh-vehch-kihn 6' 2", 233 Sep 17, 1985 * Two-time reigning MVP 5st NHL / 5st WSH Season Last Goal: APR 11, FLORIDA Last Assist: APR 11, FLORIDA Season Career #9: Brendan Morrison 5' 11", 185 Aug 15, st NHL / 1st WSH Season Last Goal: MAR 31, LOS ANGELES (5) Last Assist: MAR 30, PHOENIX (6) * Poised to make his Capitals debut after signing with the team 7/10 Season Career #10: Matt Bradley BRAD-lee, MAT 6' 3", 201 Jun 13, 1978 * Eight games shy of 500 for his career 8th NHL / 5st WSH Season Last Goal: MAR 19, TAMPA BAY (9) Last Assist: APR 9, TAMPA BAY (1) Season Career #15: Boyd Gordon 6' 1", 200 Oct 19, nd NHL / 6nd WSH Season Last Goal: JAN 1, 2009 vs TAMPA BAY (27) Last Assist: FEB 14, TAMPA BAY (16) Season Career #17: Chris Clark 6' 0", 198 Mar 8, nd NHL / 5st WSH Season Last Goal: JAN 1, 2009 vs TAMPA BAY (8) Last Assist: JAN 27, BOSTON * Had 3 points (1g-2a) in 4 GP in the preseason Season Career #19: Nicklas Backstrom 6' 1", 210 Nov 23, st NHL / 3st WSH Season Last Goal: APR 1, 2009 vs NY ISLANDERS (5) Last Assist: APR 11, FLORIDA Season Career

18 * Has played all 164 games in his career * Recorded 5 points (1g-4a) in 5 GP in the preseason #21: Brooks Laich LIKE 6' 2", 200 Jun 23, st NHL / 5st WSH Season Last Goal: APR 11, FLORIDA Last Assist: APR 5, 2009 vs ATLANTA (3) Season Career #22: Mike Knuble kuh-noo-buhl 6' 3", 223 Jul 4, th NHL / 1st WSH Season Last Goal: APR 11, NY ISLANDERS (1) Last Assist: MAR 29, 2009 vs BOSTON (7) * Poised to make his Caps debut after signing with the team 7/1 Season Career #23: Milan Jurcina MEE-lahn YEWR-chee-nah 6' 4", 236 Jun 7, st NHL / 4th WSH Season Last Goal: DEC 16, NY ISLANDERS (47) Last Assist: MAR 16, ATLANTA (9) Season Career #26: Shaone Morrisonn SHAWN 6' 4", 217 Dec 23, st NHL / 5st WSH Season Last Goal: FEB 22, 2009 vs PITTSBURGH (22) Last Assist: MAR 19, TAMPA BAY (9) Season Career #28: Alexander Semin SEHM-in 6' 2", 208 Mar 3, st NHL / 5st WSH Season Last Goal: APR 11, FLORIDA Last Assist: APR 11, FLORIDA * Led Caps in preseason scoring with 6 points (2g-4a) in 4 GP Season Career #39: David Steckel 6' 5", 217 Mar 15, st NHL / 3st WSH Season Last Goal: APR 9, TAMPA BAY (1) Last Assist: MAR 19, TAMPA BAY (9) Season Career #52: Mike Green 6' 1", 204 Oct 12, th NHL / 4th WSH Season Last Goal: APR 9, TAMPA BAY (1) Last Assist: APR 9, TAMPA BAY (1) * Runner-up to Boston's Zdeno Chara for the 2009 Norris Trophy Season Career #55: Jeff Schultz 6' 6", 230 Feb 25, th NHL / 4th WSH Season Last Goal: JAN 14, PITTSBURGH (36) Last Assist: APR 7, ATLANTA (2) Season Career #92: Michael Nylander 6' 1", 200 Oct 3, st NHL / 15st WSH Season Last Goal: APR 5, 2009 vs ATLANTA (3) Last Assist: APR 9, TAMPA BAY (1) Season Career