The wait is almost over, hockey fans. The 2026-27 NHL season begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, with an opening-night tripleheader on ESPN. This season brings even more action, with every team playing 84 regular-season games for the first time in more than three decades.
The Carolina Hurricanes will raise their 2026 Stanley Cup championship banner before hosting the Florida Panthers in the season opener. The New York Rangers will then visit the Boston Bruins in an Original Six matchup, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Vegas Golden Knights.
From opening night and outdoor games to the return of NHL All-Star Weekend, this guide has the key dates, channels and viewing options you need to follow the 2026-27 NHL season.
Looking for a sports-focused streaming package? DIRECTV’s MySports® Genre Pack® includes ESPN Unlimited Plan, plus national sports networks that carry NHL games. Channel availability varies by market.
2026-27 NHL Season at a Glance
- Opening night: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026
- Regular-season schedule: 84 games per team
- Total regular-season games: 1,344
- Regular-season finale: Saturday, April 10, 2027
- National TV networks: ABC, ESPN, TNT and TBS
- Additional coverage: NHL Network, regional sports networks and select streaming services
- Stanley Cup Final: Exclusively on TNT in the United States
How to Watch NHL Games in 2026-27
NHL games during the 2026-27 season will air across national networks, regional sports networks and streaming services. Where you can watch a specific game depends on the matchup, your location and whether the game is nationally televised, in market or out of market.
National NHL Games
Nationally televised NHL games will air across ABC, ESPN, TNT and TBS, with additional games and coverage available on NHL Network. ESPN’s 2026-27 schedule includes 100 exclusive games across ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu. TNT Sports will present regular-season and playoff coverage, including exclusive U.S. coverage of the 2027 Stanley Cup Final.
- TNT – Ch. 245
- ESPN – Ch. 206
- ABC – Check local listings
- NHL Network – Ch. 215
Local, In-Market NHL Games
Most locally televised games air on the regional sports network or local broadcast partner that carries your favorite team. Availability varies by ZIP code, package and team territory, and blackout restrictions may apply.
For the 2026-27 season, select local games may also stream through Prime Video in participating team markets. Fans should check their team’s schedule and local listings before each game.
Out-of-Market NHL Games
Fans who live outside their favorite team’s local market have two primary options:
- NHL® CENTER ICE® gives eligible DIRECTV satellite customers access to up to 40 out-of-market games per week. Blackout restrictions apply.
- NHL Power Play on the ESPN App offers more than 1,050 out-of-market games during the season, subject to local blackout rules and subscription requirements.
Explore more NHL coverage from DIRECTV, including schedules, scores and viewing options.
2026-27 NHL Schedule
The 2026-27 NHL regular season runs from Sept. 29, 2026, through April 10, 2027. Each of the league’s 32 teams will play 84 games, including 42 at home and 42 on the road.
Find your favorite NHL team’s schedule, live scores, game times and more.
Key Dates in the 2026-27 NHL Season
The 2026-27 schedule includes three outdoor showcases, international games in Finland and Germany, the return of NHL All-Star Weekend and two full-league slates featuring all 32 teams.
2026-27 NHL Opening Night
Date: Sept. 29, 2026
The season begins with an ESPN tripleheader:
- Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes – 5 p.m. ET
- New York Rangers at Boston Bruins – 8 p.m. ET
- Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights – 10:30 p.m. ET
The Hurricanes will raise their second Stanley Cup championship banner before the opening game. Two additional matchups, Montreal at Toronto and Vancouver at Edmonton, will air on Sportsnet in Canada.
TNT Opening-Night Doubleheader
Date: Sept. 30, 2026
TNT begins its season coverage with a rivalry doubleheader: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Los Angeles at Colorado at 10 p.m. ET.
NHL Frozen Frenzy
Date: Oct. 13, 2026
All 32 NHL teams will take the ice on the same day. ESPN will carry three games, while NHL Power Play on the ESPN App will offer the night’s additional matchups with staggered start times. ESPN2 will also feature whip-around coverage with live look-ins from around the league.
2026 NHL Heritage Classic
Date: Oct. 25, 2026
The Winnipeg Jets will host the Montreal Canadiens outdoors at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
2026 NHL Global Series Finland
Dates: Nov. 12 and 14, 2026
The defending champion Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken will play two regular-season games at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki.
NHL Thanksgiving Showdown
Date: Nov. 28, 2026
The New York Rangers and Boston Bruins renew their Original Six rivalry in one of the holiday weekend’s marquee matchups.
2026 NHL Global Series Germany
Dates: Dec. 18 and 20, 2026
The Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks head to PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf for two regular-season games.
2026 Stanley Cup Final Rematches
Dates: Dec. 21, 2026, and Jan. 17, 2027
The Vegas Golden Knights host the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 21 in the first rematch of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. The teams meet again in Carolina on Jan. 17.
2026 NHL Winter Classic
Date: Dec. 31, 2026
The Utah Mammoth will host their first outdoor game when they face the Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
2027 NHL All-Star Weekend
Dates: Feb. 5-6, 2027
NHL All-Star Weekend returns for the first time since 2024 at UBS Arena on Long Island. The Skills competition airs Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, followed by the All-Star Game on Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
The redesigned All-Star Game will feature five teams representing Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and the rest of the world in a three-on-three round-robin tournament.
2027 NHL Stadium Series
Date: Feb. 20, 2027
The Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights bring outdoor hockey to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
End of the NHL Regular Season
Date: April 10, 2027
All 32 teams will be in action on the final day of the regular season. The 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs will follow, with the Stanley Cup Final airing exclusively on TNT in the United States.
Schedules and broadcast details are subject to change. Check the DIRECTV guide and NHL schedule for the latest game information.
NHL Teams
There are 32 teams split into divisions within the Eastern and Western Conference. Explore the full team list below, which includes schedules, scores, roster and more.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
WESTERN CONFERENCE
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