Game 1: Islanders at Hurricanes

The New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes begin the 2018-19 season in Raleigh tonight. Game time, though keep in mind opening-night pageantry delays, is 7 p.m.

Coverage: MSG+ and MSG GO. Live audio on 88.7FM - WRHU, 103.9FM - LI News or streaming at Radio.com

So much going on. Like...

New Era, New Coach, New Captain

It’s the first official game under the Lou Lamoriello-Barry Trotz regime. Islanders debuts for a medley of summer signings (and one fall signing, Luca Sbisa). Not for Robin Lehner, however, as Trotz has given Thomas Greiss the start.

Something else new: Anders Lee is your new captain.

Hey You, I Know You, I Know You

It’s also Calvin de Haan’s first NHL game in another uniform. The Carp Lad played 304 regular season games for the Islanders across six seasons, plus 16 playoff games. He will be missed.

(But we have Sbisa!)

The official site had de Haan talking about the move, after the usual “lots of good memories, good friends” drill:

De Haan said he’s adjusting to life in Raleigh and playing for a new team and joked that he’s the oldest defenseman on the Hurricanes, despite being 27 years old.

”It was something I really wanted to try and take advantage of, a lot of players don’t get this opportunity” de Haan said. “It was nothing against the Isles, just a personal decision I had to make.”

New for Carolina, Too

The Hurricanes will have Rod Brind’Amour in his first game as head coach, after their old coach fled to Calgary in the summer amid much management turnover.

And de Haan’s not the only new guy. Thanks to an injury to 2017-18 bust Scott Darling, the much-maligned Petr Mrazek will get the start in goal. Also, don’t forget top summer pick Andrei Svechnikov, a sniper who they appear to be easing in.

The biggest changes, however, were the trade of Jeff Skinner for some reason, and the acquisition of Dougie Hamilton for a package including Noah Hanifan.

So the Canes’ blueline remains stacked.

Lineups, Lines and Pairings

This is what we expect, with pretty decent certainty based on the last few days:

Anthony Beauvillier - Mathew Barzal - Josh Bailey
Anders Lee - Brock Nelson - Jordan Eberle
Leo Komarov - Valtteri Filppula - Tanner Fritz
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Thomas Hickey - Nick Leddy
Luca Sbisa - Johnny Boychuk

Greiss

And Carolina:

Michael Ferland - Sebastian Aho The Lesser - Teuvo Teravainen
Warren Foegele - Jordan Staal - Justin Williams
Brock McGinn - Martin Necas - Valentin Zykov
Jordan Martinook - Lucas Wallmark - Andrei Svechnikov

Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton
Calvin de Haan - Justin Faulk
Trevor van Riemsdyk - Brett Pesce

Mrazek

FIG Picks

New to Lighthouse Hockey? You can play our First Islanders Goal pick game.

The rules and scoring are here.

Then you can leave your picks for tonight (by gametime!) here.