The Boston Bruins will figure out early on this 2010-11 NHL season where their team stands against the other top team of the Eastern Conference this week — the Washington Capitals.

With no disrespect to the Phoenix Coyotes and New Jersey Devils — the Bruins previous opponents in this early seasons — the Capitals are the team to beat in the East. Sure, Phoenix should make a solid run out in the West, and New Jersey should be one of the eight teams to make it out of the East. However, along with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington is once again the team to beat this season.

Despite winning their last two games, the Bruins’ power play seems to have picked-up where it left-off last season — finishing 23rd overall with a 16.6 percent success rate — having just one power play goal in their 11 attempts (9.1%) with the man advantage thus far.

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