ARLINGTON, VA — Cole Hutson got his first taste of Capitals hockey this spring, but there’s still plenty of new milestones left in his full rookie season.
Hutson, 20, will play his first-ever NHL home opener on Wednesday, facing the rival Pittsburgh Penguins in front of fans at Capital One Arena.
After finishing his sophomore season with Boston University, Hutson made his NHL debut on March 18, playing in the final 14 games of the Capitals’ 2025-26 calendar. With that experience (plus two away games to start the 2026-27 season) under his belt, Hutson told RMNB that he didn’t have any jitters about Wednesday night.
“(It’s) kind of just any other game,” he said. “Obviously a lot of fun, first time doing it, so I’m going to take it all in, but kind of just play nervous-free.”
Hutson is one of two Capitals rookies playing in their first home opener this season, doing so alongside Ilya Protas, who also made his NHL debut this spring. Head coach Spencer Carbery noted that, although both players experienced the fan response to the team’s playoff chase this spring, a home opener offers a different sort of excited energy.
“I think the home opener just kind of brings that new — it’s the start of the year; it’s the optimism of the whole community, our fan base, our players, staff, everybody,” said Carbery. “The game has so many smiles and it’s like, ‘The season is here, let’s go.’
“And right from puck drop, I feel like there’s a lot of enthusiasm right away. Sometimes in the middle of the season, it takes your team doing something to get the crowd into it, where the home opener, right from puck drop, they’re going to be in it.”
Though the game may be no different from any other in terms of nerves, that doesn’t mean Hutson isn’t excited to see the turnout on Wednesday night.
“It’s going to be fun,” Hutson said. “Obviously the fans play a big role in the start of the year, so hopefully they’ll show up tonight and hopefully we can give them something to cheer about.”
Hutson is already feeling the difference between his brief NHL stint this spring and a full season in 2026-27. In the NCAA, Hutson’s regular seasons lasted just 24 games, less than a third of the NHL’s current 84-game schedule.
“(This season) already kind of feels longer, a little bit,” he said. “Just playing more games is new for me. I’ve never played a year where it’s more than 50 games, so it’s going to be different, but I think I’m ready for it.”
That longer season has required some adjustments from Hutson: even though the Capitals have only played twice so far this fall, Hutson knows he’ll need to pace himself for the season ahead.
“I think just be more conservative on the ice,” he said of his approach. Don’t waste too much energy doing too much stuff, and kind of just go at it game by game.”
Puck drop for Washington’s home opener is set for 7:30 pm on Wednesday night.
