And with an unprecedented measure of hope.

Mike Vogel writes, in his preview of tonight’s Washington Capitals season opener in Atlanta:

The Caps will open what is arguably the most anticipated season in the team’s three and a half decade history against the Thrashers on Friday night.

photo from washingtoncaps.com

all photos from washingtoncaps.com

The first Capitals jersey I ever purchased was that of Kevin Hatcher, newly-minted as captain in 1993.  In all of the years I’ve followed the team since, I’ve never felt the measure of excitement at the start of a season that I feel this morning.

Of the city’s newspaper institutions, Tarik, of the Post, reports of “renewed enthusiasm,” and Corey, of the Times, boldly proclaims that “the time is now.”

At the same time, the Washington Capitals are becoming a “premium brand.”

There is now belief in the crest.  The Capitals wordmark is beginning to signify something extraordinary, and to be truly respected.

Mike Wise praises Coach Bruce, All Mighty, but perhaps cautions us that the team that faced the Flyers “in a pulsating, seven-game series, two weeks of theater that made forever-suffering Caps fans euphoric about their hockey team again” is “so last season.”

Ah, but what’s past is prologue.  And finally, for Capitals fans, in a good way.

Tonight’s (probable) lineup for the Capitals:

Washington Forwards
8-Ovechkin, 19-Backstrom, 25-V. Kozlov
21-Laich, 91-Fedorov, 28-Semin
14-Fleischmann, 92-Nylander, 17-Clark
87-Brashear, 39-Steckel, 10-Bradley

Washington Defensemen
26-Morrisonn, 52-Green
3-Poti, 4-Erskine
23-Jurcina, 55-Schultz

Per Coach on Washington Post Live this week, José Théodore will get the start in goal.

To my mind, the most important element of the Capitals’ game to watch in tonight’s opener will be José’s performance, in a game that matters in October.

Tonight, I’ll convene with some local, NYC-area fans of our red-clad heroes (though white road for tonight), and attempt to absorb the full experience of supporting, for the first time ever, a legitimate, “dark horse,” Stanley Cup contender.