Capitals and Hurricanes clash in season opener in Raleigh

The Washington Capitals visit the Carolina Hurricanes on October 2, 2026, for their NHL season opener. The Capitals start their season on a back-to-back road trip, with 22-year veteran Alex Ovechkin leading the team. Washington bolstered its lineup with several acquisitions this offseason, including Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou. In contrast, Carolina is looking to establish its strategy early, with head coach Rod Brind'Amour managing player matchups and potential goaltending choices. Both teams aim to set a strong tone for the long season ahead, with Carolina preparing to travel for their next game after this match.

• 5:03 AMYahoo Sports — Hurricanes host Capitals—Preview, How to Watch, Game Thread