One of my all-time favorite Capitals is Peter Bondra, so I’m so very happy to spread this news.Bonzai will participate in the ceremonial puck drop before Thursday’s home opener against the Montreal Canadiens– along with Hall of Famer Rod Langway, long-time defenseman Sylvain Cote, and everybody’s favorite color commentator, Craig Laughlin. Thursday marks the team’s actual 40th anniversary of the franchise’s first game in 1974, so that’s the reason for all the hubbub.
The Caps will also wear white alternate uniforms during the home opener that will be auctioned off during the game. A donation of Evgeny Kuznetsov’s game-used jersey can be sent to me via RMNB, ATTN: Ian Oland, I Know You Won’t Buy It For Me But It’d Be Really Awesome If You Did Street, Frederick, MD.
Are you getting excited for hockey? Peter is and I sure as hell am. We’re just two short days away!
HUGE honor to be part of the 40th anniversary celebration opening night. Dropping with puck with some great friends. Can't wait! LIVE on CSN
— Craig Laughlin (@Laughlin18) October 7, 2014
From the Capitals:
Capitals to Celebrate 40th Anniversary in Regular-Season Opener on Oct. 9
The Washington Capitals will celebrate the team’s 40th anniversary season presented by Comcast SportsNet with a special pre-game ceremony prior to the team’s regular-season opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 9. The Capitals’ Opening Night presented by GEICO marks the anniversary of the franchise’s first game at the New York Rangers on Oct. 9, 1974.
To commemorate the occasion, Capitals legends Peter Bondra, Sylvain Cote, Rod Langway and Craig Laughlin will participate in a ceremonial puck drop and the Capitals will wear white alternate uniforms during the home opener that will be auctioned off during the game. In addition, each fan in attendance will receive a Capitals magnet schedule. Fans are encouraged to arrive at the game early to enjoy the pre-game ceremony as well as concourse activities such as face painters and a drum line.
The Capitals 40th anniversary season celebration will also include a commemorative logo, featuring the Capitals weagle and six stars in honor of the history of the Capitals. The logo will be worn as a patch on the team’s jerseys throughout the season and displayed on all home game pucks.
The Capitals are 6-1-0 all-time in season openers at Verizon Center and will face Montreal in its opening game of the season for the first time in franchise history. Washington posted a 2-1-0 record against the Canadiens last season and is 36-30-9-1 all-time against Montreal at home. Goaltender Braden Holtby is 5-0-0 in his career against the Canadiens with two shutouts, a 0.99 goals-against average and a .964 save percentage. Captain Alex Ovechkin led the Capitals with four points (3g, 1a) in three games against the Canadiens last season and has registered 36 points (20g, 16a) in 33 career games against Montreal.
