Game Preview: Islanders at Hurricanes

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (0-0-0) AT CAROLINA HURRICANES (0-0-0)
7 P.M. - PNC ARENA, RALEIGH, NC
TV: MSG+, MSG GO
RADIO: RADIO.COM, 88.7FM WRHU, 103.9FM WRCN (LI News)
GAME NOTES
New York Islanders hockey is officially back!
The Islanders drop the puck on the 2018-19 season when they take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night at PNC Arena (7 p.m., MSG+, MSG GO).
The Isles have a different look on opening night, as new General Manager, Lou Lamoriello and Head Coach Barry Trotz take the team in a new direction. There are plenty of new faces on the ice, including Robin Lehner, Leo Komarov and Valtteri Filppula and this will mark the first season since 2009 without John Tavares.

Trotz, who is coming off a Stanley Cup win with Washington in June, said he's looking forward to a new challenge with a new team at the start of a new season.

SEASON PREVIEW: FORWARDS | DEFENSE AND GOALIES

"I probably don't have the nerves that I did in year one, but the anticipation of starting something new tomorrow night, a new season," Trotz said. "I've learned that it doesn't matter where you start, it matters where you finish. But you want to get off to a good start and get some good feeling, especially when you have a whole new core of people."
The Islanders have gone through a crash course of Trotz's systems during training camp, which has focused on tightening up the defensive side of the puck. The Isles went 5-3-0 in eight preseason games and Matt Martin said the Isles feel comfortable with the new structure and are eager to test it out with some real stakes. He said the Isles are also motivated by the doubters surrounding the team.
"We're just excited to go out there and be in an competitive atmosphere and go through the ups and downs together as a team throughout the season," Martin said. "A lot of people have counted us out already. In this dressing room we want to go out and prove people wrong."
They'll get their chance starting Thursday.

ISLANDERS NOTES:

-- Barry Trotz will be behind the bench for his first regular season game as Islanders Head Coach.
Eric Hornick has The Skinny on the new coach.
-- Leo Komarov, Valtteri Filppula and Luca Sbisa will all make their Islanders debuts.
-- Thomas Greiss will start the season opener for the Islanders.

ISLANDERS PLAYER TO WATCH: MATHEW BARZAL

Islanders fans already know what Mathew Barzal is capable of after an 85-point rookie season. Barzal led the Islanders in points and won the Calder Trophy and will be the focal point of the Islanders offense this season. Barzal is confident heading into the season and is embracing the challenge of being the team's go-to guy. The 21-year-old led the Islanders with eight points (all assists) in preseason while centering a line with Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey.

HURRICANES NOTES:

-- The Hurricanes underwent some major changes in the offseason. Rod Brind'Amour replaced Bill Peters as head coach, longtime Cane Jeff Skinner was traded to Buffalo and Dougie Hamilton was acquired for Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm.
-- Carolina also won the NHL Draft Lottery and selected Andrei Svechnikov second overall. Svechnikov will make his NHL debut on Thursday.
-- Former Islander Calvin de Haan will make his Hurricanes debut on Thursday after signing a four-year deal with the club over the summer.
-- Petr Mrazek is slated to start for the Hurricanes after Scott Darling suffered a lower-body injury and is week-to-week. With Darling out for an extended period, Carolina claimed Curtis McElhinney off waivers on Tuesday.
-- Carolina went 5-0-1 in six preseason games - a franchise record.

HURRICANES PLAYER TO WATCH: ANDREI SVECHNIKOV

Andrei Svechnikov, the second-overall pick in June's draft, will make his NHL debut on Thursday night.
The 18-year-old Russian was drafted out of the OHL after scoring 40 goals and adding 32 assists in 44 games with the Barrie Colts. The Hurricanes have high hopes for the CHL's top prospect and he'll step into a top-six role, with some projections show the winger lining up with Sebastian Aho on the top line.