Thrashers Open 2008-09 NHL Regular Season on Friday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Philips Arena Against Division-Rival Washington Capitals

The Atlanta Thrashers will open the 2008-09 NHL Regular Season against reigning NHL Hart Trophy-winner (MVP) Alexander Ovechkin and the Southeast Division-rival Washington Capitals on Friday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Philips Arena. The Thrashers complete 82-game 2008-09 NHL regular-season schedule will be announced on Thursday, July 17.

Under the NHL’s new schedule format, the Thrashers will play 18 games (nine home, nine road) against Western Conference opponents, up from 10 under the previous format. The Thrashers will play 12 Western Conference teams once with two games (one home, one road) scheduled against three selected non-conference opponents. The three Western Conference team’s scheduled for two-game series against the Thrashers this season are the Stanley Cup-winning Detroit Red Wings, the Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators.

During the 2008-09 regular-season the Thrashers will play six games (three home and three road) against each of the four Southeast Division rivals, down from eight over the past three seasons, and will continue to play four games (two home and two road) against each non-division team in the Eastern Conference (Northeast Division and Atlantic Division).

The Thrashers 41-game regular-season home schedule will be highlighted by 22 weekend games, including 10 Friday games, six Saturday games and six Sunday games.

Atlanta Thrashers Season Tickets start as low as $10 per game and are on sale now for the 2008-09 season by visiting atlantathrashers.com or calling (866) 715-1500.