2025 - 2026 NHL on ESPN, ESPN+, and Hulu Schedule

The current logo used for ESPN and ABC's NHL coverage (2021-present). (NewscastStudio)

| 🞙 Wednesday, August 27, 2025

• You may watch all ESPN NHL broadcasts via the ESPN App this season.

• A tripleheader to welcome in the 2025-26 NHL regular season on Tuesday, October 7 — Blackhawks vs. Panthers (5:00 PM ET), Penguins vs. Rangers (8:00 PM ET), & Avalanche vs. Kings (10:30 PM ET).

• "NHL Frozen Frenzy" takes over ESPN on Tuesday, October 28 with a triple play of games, including Penguins-Flyers (6:00 PM ET), Capitals-Stars (8:30 PM ET), and Kings-Sharks (11:00 PM ET).

• The Bruins & Lightning will take the ice in the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on Sunday, February 1 on ESPN (Time TBD).

Earlier this week, ESPN and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) officially disclosed their 2025-26 NHL regular season broadcast schedule. This season, 100 exclusive games will be televised across ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, and Hulu. Plus, games will be made available on the newly enhanced ESPN App all season long. Key events that ESPN and TWDC are set to cover during the 2025-26 NHL season, including the NHL Opening Night Tripleheader (October 7), NHL Frozen Frenzy (October 28), 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series (February 1). ESPN and ABC will begin their coverage of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in mid-April, culminating with ABC's exclusive presentation of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final in June. 

ESPN's weekly NHL studio program, "The Point", makes their season debut on Tuesday, October 7 at 4:00 PM (ET)/1:00 PM (PT) on ESPN and ESPN+, in advance of ESPN's tripleheader of opening night action. Generally, "The Point" will air weekly on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

NHL Opening Night on ESPN:

The 2025-26 NHL regular season begins on Tuesday, October 7, with ESPN carrying a tripleheader on their network.

At 5:00 PM (ET), the Chicago Blackhawks, led by Connor Bedard, will play the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, who will raise their championship banner before the game at Amerant Bank Arena.

At 8:00 PM (ET), Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins will compete against former coach Mike Sullivan and the New York Rangers, featuring star goalie Igor Shesterskin, at Madison Square Garden.

Finally, at 10:30 PM (ET), the Colorado Avalanche will the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena.

NHL Frozen Frenzy Returns on Tuesday, October 28:

The "NHL Frozen Frenzy" for this season, which is a unique event showcasing all 32 teams in competition, is set to take place on Tuesday, October 28. The event will be headlined by an exclusive tripleheader on ESPN, commencing at 6:00 PM (ET). This lineup includes the matchups between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers, the Washington Capitals against the Dallas Stars, and the Los Angeles Kings facing off with the San Jose Sharks.

As every team competes, both ESPN2 and ESPN+ will once again offer a whip-around show that provides live updates and highlights from each game, showcasing the most exciting plays, impactful hits, and notable goals of the night.

2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series:

The 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning, takes place on Sunday, February 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game will be shown on ESPN, at a time TBD.

2025-26 Exclusive Game Highlights (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, & Hulu):

• Thursday, October 9 — A rematch of a 2025 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series between the Devils and the Hurricanes. (ESPN+/Hulu)

• Tuesday, October 14 — Following a historic 2024-25 season in which he set the new all-time record for most goals scored by a single NHL player, Alexander Ovechkin (897 goals), looks to get closer to 900 career games as the Washington Capitals visit the Tampa Bay Lightning. (ESPN)

• Thursday, October 16 — Former No. 1 overall pick Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers square off against 2025 No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer and the New York Islanders. (ESPN+/Hulu)

• Tuesday, October 21 — Brad Marchand is set to visit TD Garden to face his former Bruins teammates as the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers take on the Bruins. (ESPN)

• Tuesday, November 4 — A 2025 Western Conference Finals Rematch as Oilers, Stars clash. (ESPN+/Hulu)

• Thursday, November 6 — A pair of Future Hall of Famers square off one more time as Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins host Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. (ESPN+/Hulu)

• Wednesday, November 26 — A special Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday) ESPN+/Hulu game as the Blackhawks play the Wild in a Central Division showdown from the United Center.

• Saturday, January 3 — The Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby open the "ABC Hockey Saturday" schedule on the road against the Detroit Red Wings for an early matinee in the Motor City. (ABC)

• Saturday, January 10 — "Original Six" game between the Rangers and Bruins from TD Garden in Boston. (ABC)

• Thursday, January 15 — An ESPN doubleheader starts off with the "Battle of Pennsylvania" between the Flyers and the Penguins. Later, Mitch Marner gets a chance to face his former squad as the Maple Leafs travel to play the Golden Knights. 

• Thursday, January 29 — A Thursday Doubleheader on ESPN+/Hulu. First, the Washington Capitals tussle with the Detroit Red Wings in an Eastern Conference matchup. Then, the Stars challenge the Golden Knights in a Western Conference duel.

• Thursday, February 5 — We go inside "The Battle of Florida" as Sam Reinhart and the two-time reigning Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers take on Nikita Kucherov and their longtime rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning. (ESPN+/Hulu)

• Thursday, February 26 — Following a lengthy break due to the Winter Olympics, ESPN hosts a doubleheader of games. The Flyers and Rangers are set to renew their rivalry at Madison Square Garden. In the nightcap, the Oilers and Kings play each other in the rematch of the 2025 Western Conference Quarterfinals. (ESPN)

• Saturday, March 21 - Bruins vs. Red Wings in an "Original Six" "ABC Hockey Saturday" primetime affair (8:00 PM ET). (ABC)

• Saturday, March 28 - Two Eastern Conference clubs duke it out under the primetime lights as the Philadelphia Flyers compete against the Detroit Red Wings, with "ABC Hockey Saturday" set to document the action beginning at 8:00 PM ET. (ABC)

• Sunday, April 5 - ESPN is your home for a super rare Sunday NHL Doubleheader. The Capitals and Rangers participate in Metropolitan Division play at 7:00 PM ET, and the Blues visit the Avalanche in Denver at 9:30 PM ET. (ESPN)

• Saturday, April 11 - ABC completes its regular-season NHL coverage with a special "ABC Hockey Saturday" tripleheader. The Lightning collide with the Bruins in Boston (12:30 PM ET), the Capitals invade Pittsburgh for a meeting with the Penguins (3:00 PM ET), & two Western Conference teams share the primetime slot as the Golden Knights battle the Avalanche (8:00 PM ET). (ABC)

The 2025-26 NHL regular season broadcast schedule for ESPN, ESPN+, and Hulu is posted below. Updates will be made regularly to broadcast schedules. In addition, commentators will be added throughout the season once they are confirmed.

• NHL on ESPN, ESPN+, and Hulu: 2025-26 NHL Regular Season Broadcast Schedule (All Times Eastern and Subject to Change)

| Tuesday, October 7 (Opening Night)

. Blackhawks at Panthers - ESPN, 5:00 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Kevin Weekes, Emily Kaplan

. Penguins at Rangers - ESPN, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Leah Hextall

. Avalanche at Kings - ESPN, 10:30 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Cassie Campbell-Pascall

| Thursday, October 9

. Devils at Hurricanes - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, AJ Mleczko

. Golden Knights at Sharks - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Kelly, Cassie Campbell-Pascall

| Tuesday, October 14

. Lightning at Capitals - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Wild at Stars - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, October 16

. Oilers at Islanders - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

| Friday, October 17

. Sharks at Mammoth - ESPN+/Hulu, 9:00 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, October 21

. Panthers at Bruins - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Avalanche at Mammoth - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, October 23

. Blackhawks at Lightning - ESPN+/Hulu, 6:30 PM (ET) - 

. Kings at Stars - ESPN+/Hulu, 9:00 PM (ET) - 

| Friday, October 24

. Maple Leafs at Sabres - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) -

| Tuesday, October 28 (Frozen Frenzy)

. Penguins at Flyers - ESPN, 6:00 PM (ET) - 

. Capitals at Stars - ESPN, 8:30 PM (ET) - 

. Kings at Sharks - ESPN, 11:00 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, October 30

. Islanders at Hurricanes - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, November 4

. Oilers at Stars - ESPN+/Hulu, 8:00 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, November 6

. Capitals at Penguins - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Panthers at Kings - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, November 11

. Sharks at Wild - ESPN+/Hulu, 8:00 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, November 13

. Oilers at Blue Jackets - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, November 20

. Oilers at Lightning - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Kings at Sharks - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) - 

| Wednesday, November 26

. Wild at Blackhawks - ESPN+/Hulu, 8:30 PM (ET) -

| Tuesday, December 2

. Maple Leafs at Panthers - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Blackhawks at Golden Knights - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, December 4

. Maple Leafs at Hurricanes - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Blackhawks at Kings - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, December 9

. Blue Jackets at Hurricanes - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, December 11

. Panthers at Avalanche - ESPN, 9:00 PM (ET) - 

| Friday, December 12

. Blackhawks at Blues - ESPN+/Hulu, 8:00 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, December 18

. Flyers at Sabres - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, December 23

. Predators at Wild - ESPN+/Hulu, 8:00 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, January 6

. Devils at Islanders - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, January 13

. Hurricanes at Blues - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Maple Leafs at Mammoth - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) -

| Thursday, January 15

. Flyers at Penguins - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Maple Leafs at Golden Knights - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, January 22

. Blackhawks at Hurricanes - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Red Wings at Wild - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Friday, January 23

. Lightning at Blackhawks - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, January 27

. Stars at Wild - ESPN+/Hulu, 8:00 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, January 29

. Capitals at Red Wings - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Stars at Golden Knights - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) - 

| Sunday, February 1

. Bruins vs. Lightning (Raymond James Stadium) - ESPN, TBD - 

- ⮞ 2026 NHL Stadium Series (Tampa, Florida)

. Golden Knights at Ducks - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, February 3

. Sabres at Lightning - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, February 5

. Panthers at Lightning - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, February 26

. Flyers at Rangers - ESPN, 8:00 PM (ET) - 

. Oilers at Kings - ESPN, 10:30 PM (ET) - 

| Sunday, March 1

. Panthers at Islanders - ESPN, 6:30 PM (ET) - 

| Wednesday, March 4

. Maple Leafs at Devils - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Blues at Kraken - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, March 5

. Panthers at Blue Jackets - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Islanders at Kings - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Sunday, March 8

. Red Wings at Devils - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Oilers at Golden Knights - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, March 10

. Mammoth at Wild - ESPN+/Hulu, 8:00 PM (ET) -

| Thursday, March 12

. Oilers at Stars - ESPN+/Hulu, 8:00 PM (ET) - 

| Friday, March 13

. Oilers at Blues - ESPN+/Hulu, 8:00 PM (ET) - 

| Monday, March 16

. Bruins at Devils - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Penguins at Avalanche - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, March 19

. Blackhawks at Wild - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Mammoth at Golden Knights - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, March 24

. Blue Jackets at Flyers - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Oilers at Mammoth - ESPN+/Hulu, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, March 26

. Wild at Panthers - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Oilers at Golden Knights - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, March 31

. Hurricanes at Blue Jackets - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, April 2

. Capitals at Devils - ESPN+/Hulu, 7:30 PM (ET) - 

. Mammoth at Kraken - ESPN+/Hulu, 10:00 PM (ET) - 

| Sunday, April 5

. Capitals at Rangers - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Blues at Avalanche - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Tuesday, April 7

. Flyers at Devils - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Oilers at Mammoth - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, April 9

. Flyers at Red Wings - ESPN+/Hulu, 6:30 PM (ET) - 

. Wild at Stars - ESPN+/Hulu, 9:00 PM (ET) - 

| Monday, April 13

. Kings at Kraken - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) -

| Tuesday, April 14

. Capitals at Blue Jackets - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - 

. Penguins at Blues - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - 

| Thursday, April 16 (2025-26 NHL Regular Season Finale)

. Blues at Mammoth - ESPN, 8:00 PM (ET) - 

. Kraken at Avalanche - ESPN, 10:30 PM (ET) - 

|| Sources 🛈: ESPN Press Room ||

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