The Washington Capitals officially kick off the 2026-27 campaign on Friday with a big challenge, as they pay a visit to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first game of a road back-to-back.

Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Monumental Sports Network and is free to listen to on Capitals Radio Network.

The Capitals will roll out the same lines that they started training camp with for their opener. Alex Ovechkin, who was injured in camp and didn't play in the preseason, is fully healthy and will play on Friday, and Ivan Miroshnichenko, Ethen Frank and Dylan McIlrath will be the healthy scratches.

Logan Thompson gets the start.

Here are the lines:

Alex Tuch-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson

Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Ryan Leonard

Aliaksei Protas-Ilya Protas-Jordan Kyrou

Boone Jenner-Justin Sourdif-Anthony Beauvillier

Jakob Chychrun-Matt Roy

Cole Hutson-Vincent Desharnais

Martin Fehervary-Timothy Liljegren

Logan Thompson

Charlie Lindgren

- Dylan Strome led Washington in scoring in the preseason with two goals and two assists for four points in two games. Look for him to try and start the season on the right foot.

- Pierre-Luc Dubois has looked strong at camp and is feeling extra motivation coming into this season after missing most of last year with injury. Keep an eye on him as he continues to find chemistry with newcomer Alex Tuch and Tom Wilson, who is coming off his second consecutive 30-goal campaign.

- Jordan Kyrou scored the overtime winner in D.C.'s dress rehearsal last week against the Boston Bruins and is looking to bounce back and return to his 30-goal scoring ways.

- Also look out for the power play, which went 3-for-3 against the Bruins.

- Cole Hutson and Ilya Protas kick off their respective rookie campaigns on Friday, so look for them to try and make noise.

The game will be broadcast on Monumental Sports Network and on the radio on the Capitals Radio Network, Team 980 and 106.7 The Fan FM.