Friday Caps Clips: Capitals vs. Bruins Game Day

Your savory breakfast links:

• The big, beautiful SB Nation NHL preview is up and it's... well, big and beautiful. Be sure to check out the whole thing here, take a gander at the Caps' section here, and read our answers to three questions facing the Caps here. 
  • More previews, predictions and prophecies about what the 2015-16 season could hold for the Caps. [HockeyBuzz, Hockey-News.info]
• Judging the best team ever, T.J. Oshie and his shootout skillz, the reputation of GMGM vs. GMBM and more in this week's Japers' Rink Mailbag. [Rink]
• There continues to be no definitive timeline on Nicklas Backstrom's return, but it sounds like he'll miss at least the first four games of the season. [NHL.com, The Score, NBC Sports, WaPo]
• So who replaces him? [Stars and Sticks]
• Hockey experts still don't realize just how good Braden Holtby is. [RMNB]
• A lot of media-type folks think the Caps have a pretty good chance this year... but what is the expectation, and the threshold for disappointment, among the fans? [WaPo]
• While the three-on-three overtime should determine plenty of games, the shootout will still happen; here's why, for teams like the Caps, that may not be a bad thing. [TSN]
• That fancy new third jersey the Caps are sporting will be on display in 15 home games this year. [Caps]
• Sean Collins knows he wasn't expected to compete for a spot on the opening-night roster, but now that he is, he's enjoying the ride. [CSNMA]
• The guy he's competing against, Derek Roy, has plenty of support among the team's veterans. [CSNMA]
• Leftovers from Wednesday's shootout loss in Raleigh. [Dump 'n Chase]
• Former Cap Troy Brouwer talks about the trade that sent him to St. Louis and settling into a new city. [WaPo]
• Breaking down the October slate of game. [StarsandSticks]
• Dine and dish with the Caps' Roomies in this month's Washington Life Magazine, where they talk about the team, their goals and their special friendship. N'aww. [Washington Life, Monumental]