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If the Carolina Hurricanes somehow manage to beat the odds and sign John Tavares, the prize of this year’s free agent class, he won’t have to wait long to face his former team.
The Hurricanes announced Wednesday that they will open their 2018-19 season on Thursday, October 4 against the New York Islanders at PNC Arena. It will be the first game of a back-to-back, as the Canes will travel to Columbus the next night for the Blue Jackets’ home opener.
The Canes also hosted the Islanders in the 2014 home opener, a 5-3 loss for the home team. Since Carolina will only serve as the visiting team for one other home opener, it seems likely that the Canes will have at least a few games at PNC Arena before hitting the road to avoid the North Carolina State Fair.
The 2018-19 NHL season will begin with the Washington Capitals raising their Stanley Cup banner on Wednesday, October 3, prior to hosting the Boston Bruins. The release from the Hurricanes is below.
CANES TO HOST ISLANDERS IN 2018-19 HOME OPENER
Team to open season at home for second consecutive season
The Carolina Hurricanes, in conjunction with the National Hockey League, today announced the team’s home opener for the 2018-19 season will be on Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. the New York Islanders at 7 p.m. at PNC Arena.
The complete 2018-19 NHL schedule will be released tomorrow.
This marks the second consecutive season and the fourth time in the last five years the Hurricanes will open a season at home. This is also the second time in franchise history the Hurricanes will host the Islanders in their season opener. The two teams opened the 2014-15 season at PNC Arena on Oct. 10, 2014.
The Hurricanes tied the season series against the Islanders in 2017-18 with a 2-2-0 record. Carolina has tallied a point in 11 of its last 14 games against New York, posting an 8-3-3 record during that span. Sebastian Aho (2g, 4a) and Teuvo Teravainen (2g, 4a) led the Hurricanes with six points each in four games against the Islanders last season. In addition, Jordan Staal has registered 39 career points (12g, 27a) against the Islanders, his most against any opponent in the NHL.