Preview: Islanders vs. Hurricanes

Finally, it's time to drop the puck.
The Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders in their highly-anticipated 2018-19 regular-season opener.
"Real anxious. Unfortunately, we've had a lot of time off. That's no secret," captain Justin Williams said. "We're chomping at the bit, we're ready to go and we're feeling good."

The Hurricanes, who are set to begin their 21st season in North Carolina, are led behind the bench by first-year head coach Rod Brind'Amour.
"I know there will be butterflies]," he said. "It's an exciting time. It's new for me. I feel confident. The group is ready to play now."
"I've seen enthusiasm. I've seen a little excitement in his eye about what he's doing. He's putting everything into this, that's for sure," Williams said of his Stanley Cup winning-teammate turned head coach. "This is a full commitment. We sense that. As players, we want to give him everything we got."
**[PROJECTED LINEUP
The Canes are coming off a six-game exhibition slate in which they posted their best preseason record in team history (5-0-1) and outscored opponents 28-13. Jaccob Slavin paced the team in scoring with eight points (2g, 6a).
"We know what we have here. We have a little bit of aura in the air about where this team is headed. We're feeling good about it," Williams said. "We need to raise the bar here. We started it in the preseason and are ready to carry it on."
Andrei Svechnikov is expected to make his NHL debut, while Petr Mrazek is likely to make his Hurricanes debut in goal. Four others are expected to skate in their first games with the Canes, as well: forwards Micheal Ferland and Jordan Martinook and defensemen Calvin de Haan and Dougie Hamilton.
It's a new-look group. It's a young group. But there's also significant talent and skill and a penchant for hard work.
"I knew we'd be strong defensively with the back-end," Brind'Amour said. "I knew we'd have a lot of learning and teaching to do with the forward group, and that's going to continue all year, I'm sure. That's just the nature of what we're throwing out there. I'm excited about the group."
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS KEYS TO THE GAME**

1. Continue Preseason Momentum
The Hurricanes finished the preseason 5-0-1, their best exhibition record in team history. Now, it's time to carry that over into the games that count for real.
2. New Faces in New Places
Of the 20 players dressed in the Hurricanes' Opening Night lineup, 11 are new faces that didn't dress for last season's opener. That group features seven players making their Hurricanes' debut, including rookie Andrei Svechnikov. This is very clearly a changed team from a season ago. How will they respond tonight?
3. Caniacs Bring the Noise
It's Opening Night. The hype is real. Bring the noise, and help cheer your team on to victory.
OPENING NIGHT AT PNC ARENA
Raise up! All fans in attendance will receive a rally towel, courtesy of NHL Network. The towel, which sports the Canes' new "Take Warning" tagline, is perfect to "twist it 'round your head, spin it like a helicopter."
Speaking of, Petey Pablo will be in the building and will sound the Hurricanes warning siren prior to the start of the game.
There's plenty going on in and outside PNC Arena, including a South Plaza Party and much more. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
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for a full list of gameday activities.
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