The Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes began their season with an opening night match on October 2, 2026. The match was live-streamed by Powell River Peak. RMNB offered live updates on scores, highlights, and observations. Alexander Ovechkin, a key player for the Capitals, stated he was ready for the season opener, stating he felt fine. Stars and Sticks and Yahoo Sports provided previews with line combinations, storylines, and key players. Covers.com offered an overview of the match, including player stats, injuries, and records.