The Jackets kick off the 2005-06 season tonight, traveling to Washington, D.C., for a 7 p.m. contest with the Capitals.

Eight players could be making their Jackets' debut this evening in D Adam Foote, C Jan Hrdina, D Francois Beauchemin, D Bryan Berard, D Radoslav Suchy and D Andy Delmore as well as rookies C Gilbert Brule, and RW Jaroslav Balastik, who will also be making their NHL debuts.

The Jackets posted a 3-6 preseason record, with LW Nikolai Zherdev (0-5-5) and rookie Gilbert Brule (2-3-5) leading the team in preseason scoring.

Washington finished the 2005 preseason 2-4-2, being outscored 37-18. Jeff Halpern (5-2-7) and highly touted rookie Alexander Ovechkin (4-3-7) led the team in preseason scoring.

The Jackets are 1-3-1-1 all-time against the Capitals in six meetings, and C Tyler Wright and RW David Vyborny are the only two Jackets to appear in every game. Columbus has posted an 0-1-1 record at MCI Center, and its last win over the Capitals was Oct. 27, 2000, a 3-1 win at Nationwide Arena.

The game will be broadcast live on FSN Ohio and on the Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship stations 1460 The Fan and CD101 in Columbus.

In addition, the Blue Jackets, Bud Light, and The Brew 105.7 FM are teaming up to throw a viewing party at Arena Sports Bar and Grill inside GameWorks at Easton Town Center. The party starts at 6:30, and there will be Bud Light specials and prize giveaways that will include tickets to the Blue Jackets opening night on Oct. 7 at Nationwide Arena.