Hurricanes Raise a Banner & Secure a Point in Game 1 of 2026-27

The night everyone was waiting for was finally here: opening night of the 2026-27 NHL season. More importantly, the Carolina Hurricanes began their title defense as the defending Stanley Cup champions. Coming into this game, it was going to be an emotional night as fans got to celebrate with the team for the first time since winning it back in June.

Before puck drop, the players were introduced, and as a cherry on top, captain Jordan Staal skated to center ice with the Stanley Cup. Since the Hurricanes won it in Las Vegas, this was the first time they got to do a lap at the Lenovo Center. Then the moment built up over the last few weeks happened: the 2026 Stanley Cup banner was raised to the rafters. After all of the pleasantries, Game 1 was underway.

Brandon Bussi Shone in First Opening Night Start

Heading into opening night, one of the questions was how the goaltending would be with Frederik Andersen moving on to Edmonton in the offseason. The Hurricanes, back in late June, said they were comfortable with Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov as their tandem if that’s how the season started. Well, it was Bussi who got the nod to begin the season in the crease for head coach Rod Brind’Amour. In his first home opener as the starting netminder, he did not disappoint.

Through 64 minutes of action, Bussi showed no signs of rust as he was one of the reasons the Hurricanes stayed in the game well into overtime. Right from the start of the game, he was making 10-bell saves on everything the Panthers threw at him. Early on, he had a massive save on Aleksander Barkov that could be classified as highway robbery.

As the game got deeper into regulation, it seemed like whoever blinked first was going to lose. The Hurricanes managed to secure at least a point as the game went into overtime. Despite holding the puck for most of it, it only took one shot from the Panthers to score. Gustav Forsling won it with 4.6 seconds left from the blue line.

Bussi saved 19 of 20, earning a .950 save percentage and third-star honors. There was nothing else he could do other than score, as he was shutting the door to the bus all game. If there was one player who stood out above the rest in the first game of the season, it was Bussi.

Penalty Kill Stood Tall

While the Hurricanes might not have scored, the penalty kill that finished 11th last season showed that they were ready to shut it down in Game 1 of 2026-27. Between both teams, there was a parade to the box, especially the Hurricanes, who had to kill off seven different penalties.

At one point, there was even a 5-on-3 two-man disadvantage for the home side. However, they stood tall and went a perfect 7-for-7 when down a player. It also helps that Jaccob Slavin was in the game, as he is one of the Hurricanes’ biggest penalty killers. Overall, everyone stepped up when it mattered the most. Even Charles Alexis Legault looked good out there when K’Andre Miller had to serve the first penalty of the game.

All in all, special teams were solid for the Hurricanes, even if the power play went 0-for-6 on their chances. If the Hurricanes want to have good special teams, killing off penalties will go a long way. There is still a lot of regular-season hockey to go, but going 7-for-7 does help, even if that’s too many penalties to begin a season.

When it comes down to it, the Hurricanes had a special night that saw them celebrate with the Stanley Cup one last time. Furthermore, they raised a banner to honor the 2026 Stanley Cup champions with 19,250 fans. It ended up being the largest regular-season attended game in Lenovo Center history. For most of the game, the rust showed, but getting a point to begin the season is at least something to build from.

The Hurricanes will have the next two days off until they take on the Washington Capitals on Friday, Oct. 2, to begin the first half of a back-to-back. Who will start in the crease, and will the Hurricanes secure their first win of the season on Friday?