NY Islanders Will Be Part of Special Promotion Against Hurricanes Game

The Carolina Hurricanes are hosting the New York Islanders for one of their fans favorite annual promotional nights.

Apr 14, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Liam Foudy (43) skates the puck into the zone defended by Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (4) during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Islanders have known their schedule for the 2026-27 season for a few weeks now, with two legends, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, helping reveal things in a hilarious video.

There will be some unique challenges for the Islanders, who will be playing multiple times in the afternoon during the week, in an effort by the NHL to expand its reach into Europe. Also, the regular season will be 84 games, up from 82.

While New York knows who and where they will be playing during the season, some fans may circle the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, Jan. 28, as one worth traveling to. That is because the Hurricanes have released their promotional schedule, and that is when they will be hosting their annual “Whalers Night” this season.

It is a tradition that has been held by Carolina to show respect for where the franchise came from, reverting back to the team they were prior to the Hurricanes: the Hartford Whalers.

Islanders will be in Carolina for Whalers Night

Apr 14, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Skyler Brind'amour (76) attempts a shot defended by New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Whalers' first season in the NHL was the 1979-80 campaign. They played 18 seasons there before they moved to Raleigh and were changed into the franchise everyone knows today in hockey, coming off their second Stanley Cup victory, winning the first time in 2006.

This is one of the best annual promotional nights, like stepping back into a time machine to pay tribute to the players, coaches and everyone involved with the organization before they relocated to North Carolina.

In their final seasons of existence, the last road game the Whalers played was actually against the Islanders. On April 11, 1997, Hartford went on the road to Nassau Coliseum, where New York came away with a 6-4 victory.

New season, new promotions 🙌

From theme nights to ticket packages, community nights and more. All the fun starts on September 29!

Full List ➡️ https://t.co/K5VkyohnLz pic.twitter.com/N8TpUsS7B9

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) August 10, 2026

Robert Reichel led the way with two goals and an assist, while Claude Lapointe also lit the lamp twice. In net, the Islanders had Eric Fichaud, who made 28 saves for his ninth victory of the season.

The last time New York went on the road to play the Whalers was earlier that season, on Jan. 24, 1997. The Islanders won in their last trip ever to the Hartford Civic Center, 5-2, with Fichaud getting the victory.

Derek King recorded a hat trick in that game, while Ziggy Palfy scored the other two goals for New York. Interestingly, King was on the other side of the final game between the two franchises, as New York traded him to Hartford ahead of the deadline that season.