Disclosure: We research and test the best streaming options for viewers in Canada. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The 2026–27 NHL season starts on September 29, 2026, marking the first 84-game regular season since 1993–94.
The defending champion Carolina Hurricanes raise their Stanley Cup banner on opening night against the Florida Panthers. Meanwhile, Canada kicks off with a marquee doubleheader on Sportsnet: Canadiens at Maple Leafs and Canucks at Oilers.
Running through April 10, 2027, before heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Canadian fans can stream coverage across Sportsnet+, TSN, Amazon Prime, TVA Sports, and Fubo TV.
Big changes this year: Amazon Prime moves from Monday to Wednesday nights, Monday games return to Sportsnet, and CBC no longer airs the NHL. Scroll down for a free trial option!
Season Starts
Sep 29, 2026
Games Per Team
84 Games
Defending Champs
Hurricanes
Regular Season Ends
Apr 10, 2027
⚠ Heads up about Geo-restrictions & Safe Streaming
FuboTV (U.S.) is geo-restricted in Canada, and some NHL games are blacked out by region. Use a reliable VPN to bypass geo-blocks and keep your activity private.
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How to Watch NHL Games Live in Canada [2026-27]
| Platform | Coverage | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsnet+ | National: Monday & Saturday nights Regional: Leafs, Canucks, Flames, Oilers (SN Teams) |
$34.99/mo |
| Sportsnet+ Premium ★ BEST VALUE |
National: Monday & Saturday nights Regional: SN Teams only Out-of-Market (blacked out games) US vs. US team games |
$44.99/mo |
| TSN / TSN+ | Regional: Leafs, Jets, Senators, Canadiens | $24.99/mo |
| Amazon Prime Video | Wednesday nights only (26+ games) + select playoff series | $9.99/mo |
| TVA Sports | National: Up to 350 games, incl. 32 Canadiens (French) | ~$25/mo |
| RDS | Regional: Canadiens, 45 games (French) | Varies |
How to Watch the NHL Live in Canada on Sportsnet+
Sportsnet+ is the best way to watch the NHL in Canada, with national broadcasts on Monday and Saturday nights and regional coverage for the Flames, Oilers, Canucks, and Leafs (excluding TSN Leafs games).
The Standard plan ($34.99/month) covers national and in-market games, while the Premium plan ($44.99/month) adds 1,100+ out-of-market games, U.S. vs. U.S. matchups, and almost no blackout restrictions.
Here is how you can watch NHL live in Canada on Sportsnet+:
Step 1: Go to the Sportsnet+ website and click on “Subscribe” to create a new account
Step 2: Choose your preferred subscription plan (i.e., Standard or Premium)
Step 3: Enter your Email
Step 4: Verify your account via email or phone number
Step 5: Enter a 6-digit verification code
Step 6: Create a new password
Step 7: Enter your personal and card details along with postal code (e.g., M5V 2T6) to complete the purchase.
Step 8: Enjoy watching live NHL games from September 29!
Free Way to Watch NHL Live in Canada
There is no free-to-air NHL in Canada this season, since CBC’s Saturday broadcasts have ended. The best free option is the 30-day Amazon Prime free trial for new members, which covers every Wednesday Night Hockey game (English and French).
Alternatively, you can also try free sports websites like livesport24.watch/ OR viprow.nu or apps, like RapidStreamz or SportzX.
However, free streaming sources often come with unstable links, lower quality, and security risks. To watch safely and without interruptions, always use a VPN to protect your data and ensure a smoother viewing experience.
Here’s how you can watch the NHL in Canada live for free on Rapid Streamz:
Step 1: Subscribe to Surfshark VPN App and then connect to the US server
Step 2: Download the RapidStreamz APK on your device.
Step 3: Click Install to install the app.
Step 4: Once installed, click Open.
Step 5: Click “Accept (Ad Free)”.
Step 6: Click on “Get Started”
Step 7: Select Hockey (NHL)
Step 8: Start Streaming!
Other Ways to Watch NHL Live in Canada
Here are the other channels and streaming services to watch the NHL in Canada this season. All of these platforms need a paid subscription.
1. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is the new home of Wednesday Night Hockey in Canada, starting September 30. It has moved from Monday nights under a new 12-year deal with Rogers. Prime will stream 26+ exclusive national games in English and French, plus two first-round series and one second-round series in the playoffs.
You can watch with a standard Prime membership, which costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year in Canada, with no extra fees.
Read More: How To Watch Amazon Prime in Canada
2. TSN
TSN is Canada’s leading sports network, and the official broadcaster of regional NHL games for several Canadian teams.
It features the games for the Montreal Canadiens on TSN 2, Ottawa Senators on TSN 5, Winnipeg Jets on TSN 3, and Toronto Maple Leafs on TSN 4. (Some Leafs games are also broadcast on Sportsnet Ontario and won’t be available on TSN)
A TSN subscription costs $24.99/month for Standard and $29.99/month for Premium, giving you access to all NHL regional action throughout the season.
Read More: How to Watch TSN Outside Canada
3. TVA Sports
For the 2026–27 NHL season, TVA Sports continues as the national French-language broadcaster in Canada, under a new 12-year deal. It will carry up to 350 regular-season games, including 32 Canadiens games, and every Canadiens playoff game in French.
You can watch with TVA Sports Direct, which costs around $25/month or $200/year. The channel is also joining the illico+ platform.
4. Fubo TV
FuboTV is a top pick for streaming NHL games for U.S. teams during the 2026–27 season, with live coverage on ABC and ESPN (100 exclusive ESPN/ABC games this season).
Since these channels aren’t available on FuboTV Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to FuboTV U.S. and connect through a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions. We recommend Surfshark.
FuboTV’s Sports & News plan starts at around $56 per month, and the full Pro plan with 200+ channels costs about $85 per month. New users can also try it with a 5-day free trial.
Read More: How to Watch FuboTV in Canada
How to Watch Blackout NHL Games Live in Canada?
NHL blackouts in Canada happen because regional broadcasters like Sportsnet and TSN own exclusive local rights for certain games. That means some regional matchups may be unavailable outside specific provinces.
The easiest way to avoid most blackout issues is by subscribing to Sportsnet+ Premium, which includes all out-of-market NHL games and broader coverage across Canada.
If you’re travelling or dealing with regional restrictions, you can also use a VPN like Surfshark to connect through another region and access available broadcasts more reliably.
NHL Schedule 2026-27
Have a look at a few of the upcoming NHL 2026-27 games in the Canadian time zone (EDT) and dates:
| Date | Match | Time (Eastern Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 29 | Florida Panthers @ Carolina Hurricanes | 5:00 PM |
| Tue, Sep 29 | Montreal Canadiens @ Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:00 PM |
| Tue, Sep 29 | New York Rangers @ Boston Bruins | 8:00 PM |
| Tue, Sep 29 | Vancouver Canucks @ Edmonton Oilers | 10:00 PM |
| Tue, Sep 29 | Chicago Blackhawks @ Vegas Golden Knights | 10:30 PM |
| Wed, Sep 30 | Pittsburgh Penguins @ Philadelphia Flyers | 7:30 PM |
| Wed, Sep 30 | New York Islanders @ Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:30 PM |
| Wed, Sep 30 | Los Angeles Kings @ Colorado Avalanche | 10:00 PM |
| Thu, Oct 01 | New Jersey Devils @ Philadelphia Flyers | 7:00 PM |
| Thu, Oct 01 | Columbus Blue Jackets @ Buffalo Sabres | 7:00 PM |
| Thu, Oct 01 | Tampa Bay Lightning @ New York Rangers | 7:00 PM |
| Thu, Oct 01 | Minnesota Wild @ Nashville Predators | 8:00 PM |
| Thu, Oct 01 | Seattle Kraken @ Calgary Flames | 9:00 PM |
| Thu, Oct 01 | Chicago Blackhawks @ Utah Mammoth | 9:30 PM |
| Thu, Oct 01 | Edmonton Oilers @ Vancouver Canucks | 10:00 PM |
| Thu, Oct 01 | Florida Panthers @ San Jose Sharks | 10:00 PM |
| Fri, Oct 02 | New York Rangers @ Detroit Red Wings | 6:30 PM |
| Fri, Oct 02 | Washington Capitals @ Carolina Hurricanes | 7:00 PM |
| Fri, Oct 02 | Boston Bruins @ Winnipeg Jets | 8:00 PM |
| Fri, Oct 02 | St. Louis Blues @ Dallas Stars | 9:00 PM |
| Fri, Oct 02 | Anaheim Ducks @ Vegas Golden Knights | 10:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Winnipeg Jets @ Detroit Red Wings | 1:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Carolina Hurricanes @ Philadelphia Flyers | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Ottawa Senators @ Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Montreal Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Utah Mammoth @ Columbus Blue Jackets | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Washington Capitals @ Tampa Bay Lightning | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Chicago Blackhawks @ Buffalo Sabres | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | New Jersey Devils @ New York Islanders | 7:30 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Dallas Stars @ Nashville Predators | 8:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Boston Bruins @ Minnesota Wild | 8:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | St. Louis Blues @ Colorado Avalanche | 9:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Los Angeles Kings @ San Jose Sharks | 10:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks | 10:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 03 | Seattle Kraken @ Edmonton Oilers | 10:00 PM |
| Sun, Oct 04 | Utah Mammoth @ New York Rangers | 6:00 PM |
| Sun, Oct 04 | Calgary Flames @ Seattle Kraken | 8:00 PM |
| Sun, Oct 04 | Florida Panthers @ Anaheim Ducks | 8:00 PM |
| Sun, Oct 04 | Vegas Golden Knights @ Vancouver Canucks | 9:00 PM |
| Mon, Oct 05 | Philadelphia Flyers @ Tampa Bay Lightning | 7:00 PM |
| Mon, Oct 05 | Winnipeg Jets @ Pittsburgh Penguins | 7:30 PM |
| Mon, Oct 05 | Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins | 7:30 PM |
| Mon, Oct 05 | San Jose Sharks @ Dallas Stars | 8:00 PM |
| Tue, Oct 06 | Carolina Hurricanes @ Montreal Canadiens | 7:00 PM |
| Tue, Oct 06 | Nashville Predators @ Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:00 PM |
| Tue, Oct 06 | Pittsburgh Penguins @ Washington Capitals | 7:30 PM |
| Fri, Oct 09 | Minnesota Wild @ Florida Panthers | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 10 | New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils | 7:00 PM |
| Tue, Oct 13 | Frozen Frenzy (All 32 Teams in action) | Staggered from 6:00 PM |
| Tue, Oct 13 | Colorado Avalanche @ Vegas Golden Knights | 10:00 PM |
| Thu, Oct 15 | Tampa Bay Lightning @ Florida Panthers | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 17 | Carolina Hurricanes @ Winnipeg Jets | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Oct 17 | Edmonton Oilers @ Calgary Flames | 10:00 PM |
| Sun, Oct 18 | Toronto Maple Leafs @ Detroit Red Wings | 6:00 PM |
Key dates this season:
- Sept 29: Opening night (Panthers at Hurricanes, Canadiens at Maple Leafs, Canucks at Oilers)
- Sept 30: First Wednesday Night Hockey game on Prime Video
- Oct 25: Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic: Canadiens at Jets, in Winnipeg
- Dec 31: NHL Winter Classic: Avalanche at Mammoth
- Feb 5-6, 2027: NHL All-Star Weekend at UBS Arena
- Feb 20, 2027: NHL Stadium Series: Golden Knights at Stars
- Apr 10, 2027: Final day of the regular season
NHL 2026-27 Teams
Here’s a list of NHL teams organised by conference and division:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Florida Panthers
- Detroit Red Wings
- Buffalo Sabres
- Boston Bruins
- Ottawa Senators
- Montreal Canadiens
Metropolitan Division
- Washington Capitals
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Carolina Hurricanes (Defending Champions)
- New York Rangers
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Philadelphia Flyers
- New York Islanders
- New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
Central Division
- Colorado Avalanche
- St. Louis Blues
- Minnesota Wild
- Utah Mammoth
- Nashville Predators
- Winnipeg Jets
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Dallas Stars
Pacific Division
- Vancouver Canucks
- Anaheim Ducks
- San Jose Sharks
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Seattle Kraken
- Edmonton Oilers
- Los Angeles Kings
- Calgary Flames
Other Sports/Leagues to Watch in Canada
Here are some other exciting sports that you can watch in Canada.
- Watch MLB in Canada
- Watch the NFL in Canada
- Watch the Champions League in Canada
- Watch Tennis in Canada
- Watch the English Premier League in Canada
- Watch WNBA in Canada
- Watch the NBA in Canada
FAQs – NHL
1. What are the key rule changes for the 2026-27 season?
The regular season expands to 84 games (up from 82), and preseason drops to a maximum of four games. Players making their NHL debut must now wear cut-resistant neck protection, and playoff teams must stay salary-cap compliant throughout the postseason.
2. How can I watch NHL games live?
In the U.S., NHL games are broadcast on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and TBS. In Canada, the games are available on Sportsnet, Prime Video (Wednesdays), and TVA Sports (French).
3. Which team won the Stanley Cup last season?
The Carolina Hurricanes won the 2026 Stanley Cup, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games. It was their second title and their first since 2006.
4. Is Hockey Night in Canada still on CBC?
No. CBC no longer airs NHL games. Saturday night games are now on Sportsnet, so a paid subscription is needed.
5. Can I watch Leafs matches on Sportsnet+ Premium?
Yes, you can watch many Toronto Maple Leafs games on Sportsnet+, but not every game.
Sportsnet+ carries national Leafs broadcasts and regional Leafs games aired on Sportsnet Ontario. However, some regional Leafs games are exclusive to TSN4 and won’t be available on Sportsnet+.
Conclusion
The popular ice hockey league, the NHL, is scheduled to be played from September 29, 2026, to April 10, 2027, followed by the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Fans can watch the NHL live in Canada via platforms like Sportsnet+, Amazon Prime, TSN, TVA Sports, and FuboTV. You can also use the Prime Video free trial mentioned in the blog to catch Wednesday games for free.
I recommend using Surfshark to unblock FuboTV and keep your streaming activity private.
