It’s almost time for the 2025-26 NHL season to begin. Headed into the NHL regular season, all eyes are on the Florida Panthers, who will be playing in pursuit of a three-peat Stanley Cup win. But there’s also the 2026 Winter Olympics to contend with. This upcoming season will feature a break in February so that NHL players can compete in the Olympics for the first time since 2014. The regular-season action kicks off this Tuesday, Oct. 7, with a triple-header featuring the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Florida Panthers, the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers, and the Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings.
Are you ready to watch? Here’s what to know about how to watch the upcoming NHL season, plus the full first week schedule.
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How to watch NHL games in 2025:
Dates: Oct. 7, 2025 – Apr. 16, 2026
TV channel: ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, truTV
Streaming: ESPN, DirecTV, HBO Max and more
When does the NHL season start?
The 2025-26 NHL season kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 7, with a stacked triple-header slate. The regular NHL season runs through Apr. 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. 3 – Feb. 22 so that players can compete in Beijing. There’s no confirmation yet on who will be playing for Team USA.
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2025-26 NHL season opener schedule:
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Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers: 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
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Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
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Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings: 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
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. 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.
Try free at DirecTV
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.
Right now, for a limited time, you can bundle ESPN unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu and pay $29.99/month for 12 months — that’s like getting those other services free for a year! Even if you’re a current subscriber to Disney+, Hulu or even the bundle, you can still upgrade to this great deal.
Not interested in a bundle? ESPN select (also referred to as ESPN+) is still also an option. 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 PPV access to UFC fights.
$29.99/month at ESPN
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 2025 NHL season and decide if it’s right for you this year.
$45.99 for your first month at Fubo
NHL 2025-26 season Week 1 schedule:
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
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Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers: 5:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
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Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
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Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings: 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
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Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals: 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT / Max)
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Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers: 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights: 10:00 p.m. ET (TNT / Max)
Thursday, October 9, 2025
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Chicago Blackhawks at Boston Bruins: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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New York Rangers at Buffalo Sabres: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Montreal Canadiens at Detroit Red Wings: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Ottawa Senators at Tampa Bay Lightning: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Philadelphia Flyers at Florida Panthers: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+ / Hulu)
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Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Columbus Blue Jackets at Nashville Predators: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Utah Mammoth at Colorado Avalanche: 9:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks: 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Vegas Golden Knights at San Jose Sharks: 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+ / Hulu)
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Anaheim Ducks at Seattle Kraken: 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Saturday, October 11, 2025
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Los Angeles Kings at Winnipeg Jets: 1:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames: 4:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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New Jersey Devils at Tampa Bay Lightning: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Ottawa Senators at Florida Panthers: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Washington Capitals at New York Islanders: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Philadelphia Flyers at Carolina Hurricanes: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Montreal Canadiens at Chicago Blackhawks: 7:00 p.m. ET (NHL Network)
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Utah Mammoth at Nashville Predators: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Columbus Blue Jackets at Minnesota Wild: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche: 9:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers: 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks: 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Vegas Golden Knights at Seattle Kraken: 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Sunday, October 12, 2025
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Washington Capitals at New York Islanders: 7:00 p.m. ET (NHL Network)
Monday, October 13, 2025
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Colorado Avalanche at Buffalo Sabres: 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins: 1:00 p.m. ET (NHL Network)
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Nashville Predators at Ottawa Senators: 1:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Winnipeg Jets at New York Rangers: 1:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs: 4:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Florida Panthers at Philadelphia Flyers: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Los Angeles Kings at Minnesota Wild: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Utah Mammoth at Chicago Blackhawks: 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
NHL 2025-26 season key dates:
When is the NHL Hall of Fame game?
The Bruins vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs Hall of Fame game will be on Nov. 8.
When is the NHL Global Series?
The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the Nashville Predators in Stockholm, Sweden on Nov. 14 and 16.
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When is the Stanley Cup Final rematch?
The Panthers will play the Oilers in a rematch of the last two Stanley Cup Finals on Nov. 22, and again on Mar. 19.
When is the NHL Winter Classic?
The Panthers will host the Rangers for the NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 2, 2026.
When will the NHL season take a break for the Olympics?
The NHL season will break from Feb. 3 – Feb. 22 so that NHL players can compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
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.
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More ways to watch the 2025-26 NHL season:
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