We’re halfway through the 2025-26 NHL season, and as of now, it’s impossible to determine who’s going to come out on top. The Florida Panthers, who have been playing in pursuit of a three-peat Stanley Cup victory, are holding a respectable position in the Atlantic division, but lost 5-1 in this year’s Winter Classic against the New York Rangers. Also keeping this season interesting is the fact that there have also been several major trades and roster changes lately, and plenty of rumors and reports of possible trades to come.
The upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics will also throw the season into a bit of chaos, as the league takes a break for nearly three weeks in February, allowing NHL players to compete in the Olympics for the first time since 2014. (You can check if your favorite players will be playing for Team USA here.)
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Here’s what to know about how to watch the NHL, and find out some key dates as we head into the back half of the 2025-2026 season.
How to watch NHL games in 2026
Dates: Oct. 7, 2025-April 16, 2026
TV channels: ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, truTV
Streaming: ESPN, DirecTV, HBO Max and more
How long is the NHL season?
The 2025-26 NHL season began on Oct. 7 and the regular NHL season runs through April 16, 2026.
Will the 2025-26 NHL season take a break for the Olympics?
For the first time since 2014, NHL players will participate in the Winter Olympics. That means the NHL season will break from Feb. 6-Feb. 25 so that players can compete in Italy. Team USA will be exclusively comprised of NHL players including Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, and more (a complete list is available here.) NHL players will also be playing for several other national teams including Canada, Sweden, Finland and Germany.
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What channel are NHL games on in 2025?
This season, NHL games will air across ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, TNT, TBS and truTV.
How to watch NHL games without cable
DirecTV offers access to NHL games across ESPN, ABC, TNT and more. The platform is currently offering a great deal for subscribers who use a Gemini device with their plan — right now, all DirecTV Signature Pack customers with a Gemini device will get Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited included in their subscription at no additional cost. DirecTV packages start at $49.99 for the first month and $85/month thereafter.
The new Disney+, Hulu, ESPN bundle is currently available for a promotional rate of $29.99/month for a limited time and will eventually cost $35.99/month after the promotional rate expires on Jan. 5, 2026. This offer through DirecTV provides considerable savings.
DirecTV’s Gemini streaming device connects viewers to 4K HD DirecTV programming and loads of streaming apps, including Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, Netflix, Max, Prime Video and more — all from within the DirecTV platform. Gemini devices cost around $10/month on top of your DirecTV Signature package subscription.
ESPN’s new streaming service is divided into two tiers: the ESPN Unlimited package and the ESPN Select package.
For $29.99, the ESPN Unlimited package includes access to all of ESPN’s linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes, plus access to programming on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. That means sports fans will get coverage of more than 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, original programming and more.
ESPN Select (also referred to as ESPN+) is also an option if you don’t need the comprehensive coverage of ESPN Unlimited. For $11.99/month, you can tune in and get exclusive access to events like select NCAA football games, F1 driver cams, simulcasts of certain sports that air on other channels and more.
Fubo’s new skinny sports bundle, Fubo Sports, includes local broadcast stations owned and operated by ABC, CBS and FOX, plus additional affiliates in select markets, as well as ACC Network, Big 10 Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox News, FS1, FS2, Fubo Sports Network, ION, NFL Network, SEC Network and Tennis Channel. It also includes free access to ESPN’s new ESPN Unlimited plan. Fubo subscribers get unlimited cloud DVR storage, too.
You can get $10 off your first month, which brings the cost to $45.99; after that, it goes up to $55.99/month. The platform offers a free trial period, so you can check it out for a few days of the NHL season and decide if it’s right for you this year.
NHL schedule this week:
Most NHL games are available locally, if a game is out of market in your area, it is likely available on ESPN+.)
All times Eastern
Monday, January 5
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Utah Mammoth at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. (KUPX – Utah16, MSG, ESPN+)
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Anaheim Ducks at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. (Monumental Sports Network, KCOP – FOX 11 Plus, Victory+, ESPN+)
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Detroit Red Wings at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m. (Prime Video, TVA, FanDuel Sports Detroit, ESPN+)
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Seattle Kraken at Calgary Flames, 9:30 p.m. (Kraken Hockey Network, KONG-TV, KING 5, Rogers Sportsnet West, ESPN+)
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Minnesota Wild at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. (FanDuel Sports West, FanDuel Sports North, FanDuel Sports Wisconsin, ESPN+)
Tuesday, January 6
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Vancouver Canucks at Buffalo Sabers, 7 p.m. (MSG-B, ESPN+)
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Colorado Avalanche at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. (The Spot, ALT, ESPN+)
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Anaheim Ducks at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. (Victory+, NBCSP, KCOP-13, ESPN+)
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Dallas Stars at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m. (FDSNSO, Victory+, ESPN+)
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New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+, Hulu)
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Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. (TNT, HBO Max)
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Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m. (SCRIPPS, ESPN+)
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Nashville Predators at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m. (FDSNSO, ESPN+)
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Columbus Blue Jackets at San Jose Sharks, 10 p.m. (FDSNOH, NBCSCA)
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Boston Bruins at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m. (KHN/Prime, NESN, KONG, ESPN+)
Wednesday, January 7
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Dallas Stars at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. (TNT, HBO Max, Victory+)
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Calgary Flames at Montreal Canadiens, 7:30 p.m.
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St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks, 9:30 p.m. (TNT, TruTV, HBO Max)
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Ottawa Senators at Utah Mammoth, 9:30 p.m. (Utah16, ESPN+)
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San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. (FDSNW, NBCSCA, ESPN+)
Thursday, January 8
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Calgary Flames at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. (NESN, ESPN+)
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Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. (SCRIPPS, ESPN+)
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Vancouver Canucks at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. (FDSNDET, ESPN+)
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Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. (MSG-B, MSG, ESPN+)
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Toronto Maple Leafs at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. (NBCSP, ESPN+)
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New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. (SN-PIT, MSGSN, ESPN+)
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Anaheim Ducks at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m. (FDSNSO, Victory+, KCOP-13, ESPN+)
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New York Islanders at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. (ESPN+, Hulu)
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Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
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Ottawa Senators at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m. (ALT, KTVD, ESPN+)
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Columbus Blue Jackets at Golden Knights, 10 p.m. (FDSNOH, SCRIPPS, ESPN+)
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Minnesota Wild at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m. (FDSNNOX, KHN/Prime, FDSNWI, KONG, ESPN+)
Friday, January 9
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Washington Capitals at Chicago Blackhawks, 8 p.m. (NHLN, CHSN, MNMT2)
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Los Angeles Kings at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m. (FDSNW)
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St. Louis Blues at Utah Mammoth, 9 p.m. (FDSNMW, KMOV-TV, Matrix-MW, Utah16, ESPN+)
NHL 2025-26 season key dates:
When is the Stanley Cup Final rematch?
The Panthers played the Oilers in a rematch of the last two Stanley Cup Finals on Nov. 22, and they’ll play again on Mar. 19.
When will the NHL season take a break for the Olympics?
The NHL season will break from Feb. 6-Feb. 25 so that NHL players can compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
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NHL trade deadline date:
The NHL trade deadline is Mar. 6, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET.
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season will conclude with six games on April 16, 2026.
More ways to watch the 2025-26 NHL season:
