2025-26 Regular Season, Game 1 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

The time has come for the 2025-26 season to begin, bringing with it a ton of expectations after the Carolina Hurricanes suffered their second Eastern Conference Finals loss in three years to the Florida Panthers. While they snapped an 11-game losing streak in the conference finals, the series never felt close, as the Panthers went on to win their second straight Stanley Cup. With a ton of roster carryover and a few new faces sprinkled in, the expectations remain sky high for the Hurricanes. One game won't dictate how the rest of the season will go, but no one wants to see a slow start for the home team.

Injury Report

Jesperi Kotkaniemi: All systems seem to be a go for Kotkaniemi after leaving a preseason game early a few weeks ago. He was a participant in practice on Wednesday, leading to suggestions that he'll be in the lineup tonight.

Jaccob Slavin/Jalen Chatfield: Rod Brind'Amour said on Wednesday that every defenseman should be good to go for the opener, meaning both Slavin, who missed the entire preseason, and Chatfield will dress. 

Pyotr Kochetkov: The same can't be said for Kochetkov, who was not present for practice on Wednesday. Brind'Amour wasn't sure whether he'd be available for the game, meaning Bussi might back up Andersen. 

The Opponent: New Jersey Devils (42-33-7, 91 Points, 3rd in the Metropolitan last season)

Last Season's Meetings: The Canes and the Devils met four times during the regular season, with the home team emerging victorious on all four occasions. The Canes earned their first win of the season in their second game, a 4-2 victory over New Jersey. The game was notable for Jackson Blake scoring his first career goal. The Devils returned the favor a week before Thanksgiving, defeating the Hurricanes by the same score in Newark. They concluded their season set with a home-and-home back-to-back after Christmas. The Devils won the opening game, 4-2, before the Canes responded the following night with a 5-2 win to earn the series split.

The two battled in the 1st round of the playoffs four months later as the 2nd- and 3rd-place teams in the division. The Canes defended home ice in the first two games, winning 4-1 and 3-1 to take a 2-0 series lead into New Jersey. The Devils responded accordingly, getting a 2OT win in Game 3 from Simon Nemec. Andrei Svechnikov notched his second-career postseason hat trick, leading the way to a 5-2 win and pushing the Devils to the brink of elimination. New Jersey jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Game 5, but the Canes scored three straight in the second to tie it. After trading goals later in the period, Sebastian Aho sealed the deal with a PPG in 2OT to send the Devils packing in five games. 

Since We Last Met: The Devils didn't do a ton this offseason. They added a few forwards (Evgenii Dadonov, Connor Brown, Luke Glendening), but nothing that moves the needle very far. Instead, their most positive development was in the health of their lineup. Jack Hughes missed the final month of the season and the playoffs. Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon, and Jonathan Kovacevic all suffered injuries in the 1st round. Both Hughes brothers and Dillon will be ready for the game, and Brett Pesce should be good to go, too. 

Stories to Watch

1. It's Opening Night, Baby

For all of the hype surrounding it, it's hard to undersell how great it is to have meaningful hockey to watch again. After the stinging loss back in May, sitting with our thoughts for this long has been tough. The intrigue will be at the start for both sides. How will each side come out, and will it be as fast as we all expect?

2. Ehlers and Miller Debut

While Ehlers took the ice during the preseason, the same can't be said for Miller, who nursed an injury for most of camp. Now, they'll suit up for their first official game as Hurricanes. Ehlers will sit on the top line with Aho and Jarvis, while Miller will likely be paired with Chatfield. They will be a central focus over the first few games as they get acclimated to the new system.

3. Bad Blood Remaining?

When two teams meet for a postseason rematch for the first time, regardless of when it happens, there's bound to be some bad blood and hurt feelings lingering all these months later. I expect nothing different from these two teams, especially with how tight their meetings were last season. Add the returns for several previously injured Devils, and they should have a lot to say as we open the season.