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NHL Games on Today
All times ET
Tuesday, March 17
Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens – 7:00 PM ET – ESPN+, NESN, TSN
The Montreal Canadiens host the Boston Bruins for a marquee rivalry matchup at the Bell Centre. Montreal sits just one point ahead of Boston for third place in the division, led by the offensive production of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, the latter of whom is chasing his 40th goal of the campaign. The Bruins counter with David Pastrnak, whose 81 points anchor a top-six that must improve its road efficiency after winning only once in their last eight away contests. Goaltending will be a focal point as Jeremy Swayman faces a young Canadiens squad that has leaned heavily on rookie Lane Hutson’s transition play and power-play quarterbacking.
Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets – 7:00 PM ET – ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network South
The Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes travel to Nationwide Arena to face a Columbus Blue Jackets team fighting to stay within striking distance of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Carolina features a high-volume shooting attack led by Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, supported by a defensive corps that excels at suppressing high-danger chances at even strength. Columbus has remained competitive behind the breakout season of Kirill Marchenko and the steady play of Sean Monahan, though they must overcome a Hurricanes penalty kill that remains among the league’s elite. Projected starter Brandon Bussi looks to continue his strong form for Carolina against Elvis Merzlikins, who will need to withstand heavy forechecking pressure from the Hurricanes’ deep forward group.
New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs – 7:00 PM ET – ESPN+, MSG Sportsnet, TSN
The New York Islanders open a critical road trip against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has transitioned into a developmental phase while sitting outside the playoff picture. Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal lead an Islanders offense that has found its rhythm recently, winning three of their last four games to solidify their standing in the Eastern Conference playoff race. New York will likely lean on the goaltending of Ilya Sorokin to neutralize Toronto’s remaining offensive threats with Auston Matthews out for the season with a major knee injury. The Islanders will need to exploit a Maple Leafs defensive unit that has struggled with consistency throughout the second half of the season.
Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks – 8:30 PM ET – TNT, HBO Max, Chicago Sports Network
The Minnesota Wild visit the United Center for a divisional clash against a Chicago Blackhawks team that features the league’s top-ranked penalty kill at 84.9%. Minnesota enters the contest with the eighth-highest scoring offense in the NHL, driven by Kirill Kaprizov and the veteran presence of former Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno, who returns to Chicago tonight. The Blackhawks counter with Connor Bedard, who is currently on a five-game point streak against the Wild and serves as the primary engine for Chicago’s transition game. While the Wild hold the analytical edge in puck possession and even-strength scoring, Chicago has played Minnesota tough this season, securing points in both previous meetings through disciplined defensive structures.
Nashville Predators at Winnipeg Jets – 8:00 PM ET – ESPN+, TSN
The Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets meet at Canada Life Centre with both teams hovering near the .500 mark and looking for consistency in the Western Conference. Nashville’s attack is led by Filip Forsberg, though the team has struggled to convert on the power play recently, going scoreless in their last outing despite multiple opportunities. The Jets rely on a balanced scoring approach and the elite goaltending of Connor Hellebuyck, who remains the backbone of a defensive system that ranks in the top half of the league for goals allowed.
San Jose Sharks at Edmonton Oilers – 9:00 PM ET – Sportsnet, NBC Sports California
The San Jose Sharks conclude a five-game road trip at Rogers Place against an Edmonton Oilers team led by league-scoring leader Connor McDavid. San Jose has stayed in the playoff hunt thanks to the presence of Macklin Celebrini, whose 95 points place him among the NHL’s elite in just his second season. Edmonton enters the game with significant roster challenges due to injuries to Leon Draisaitl and Mattias Janmark, forcing McDavid and Zach Hyman to take on even larger offensive burdens. The Sharks will look to exploit Edmonton’s thinned depth with their aggressive forecheck, while the Oilers aim to use their superior special teams to mitigate San Jose’s high shooting percentage.
Florida Panthers at Vancouver Canucks – 10:00 PM ET – ESPN+, Scripps Sports, Sportsnet
The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers visit the Vancouver Canucks while navigating a roster depleted by injuries to key forwards Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett. Anton Lundell has stepped into a top-line role for Florida, providing a defensive-minded presence that will be tasked with containing Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson. The Canucks are firmly in a rebuilding phase, focusing on the development of young assets like Jonathan Lekkerimäki as they eye a high pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. Florida’s veteran experience gives them the edge, provided they can disrupt a Canucks transition game that remains dangerous despite Vancouver’s lower standing in the Pacific Division.
Buffalo Sabres at Vegas Golden Knights – 10:00 PM ET – MSG Sportsnet, ESPN+, Vegas 34
The Buffalo Sabres look to set a franchise record with an 11-game road point streak as they open a four-game swing through the Pacific Division at T-Mobile Arena. Buffalo boasts the league’s third-highest scoring offense, led by Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, and is expected to start Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net. The Golden Knights remain in a tight playoff race, leaning on Jack Eichel and a heavy defensive rotation anchored by Alex Pietrangelo to maintain their position in the Western Conference
Tampa Bay Lightning at Seattle Kraken – 10:00 PM ET – TNT, HBO Max
The Tampa Bay Lightning head to Climate Pledge Arena looking to reverse a difficult March stretch that has seen them allow 4.1 goals per game. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point continue to pace the Lightning offense, which remains lethal on the power play but has been vulnerable to odd-man rushes during even-strength play. The Seattle Kraken enter with momentum after a dominant 6-2 win over Florida, led by the emergence of young center Shane Wright and the consistent scoring of Jared McCann. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy will be the X-factor for Tampa Bay, as his ability to settle a struggling defensive unit will be tested by a Seattle team that utilizes a balanced four-line attack to pressure opponents.
Where to Watch NHL Games
There are plenty of places to make sure you don’t miss a moment of your favorite NHL team’s season. Here’s where to watch NHL hockey games on TV today and all season long:
- REGIONAL SPORTS LINEUP (only available in some areas)
- TNT – 245
- ESPN – 206
- ABC –Check local listings
- NHL Network
- NHL® CENTER ICE®*
*currently available for satellite customers
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Frequently asked questions
When does the 2025-2026 NHL season start?
The NHL season begins on October 7, 2025.
When does the 2025-2026 NHL season end?
The NHL season ends on April 16, 2026.
Who won the NHL Stanley Cup Final last season?
The Florida Panthers won the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final.
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