What happened: The Washington Capitals and CACI have announced the launch of Good Dogs for Great Americans. The program is designed to help veterans regain independence through the use of specially trained service dogs.

Why it matters: As part of the initiative, CACI will donate $250 to America's VetDogs for every blocked shot recorded by the team. The philanthropic effort ties Washington's on-ice defensive play directly to community support.

What to watch: The Capitals host the Boston Bruins in preseason action on Friday at Capital One Arena.