ESPN releases 2026-27 NHL schedule with 100 exclusive games

ESPN announced its 2026-27 NHL regular-season schedule on August 26, setting up 100 exclusive games from September 29 through early April, and extending into the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Coverage spans ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu, with all matchups streaming via the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers, according to ESPN.

Of the 100 exclusive games, 53 matchups are slated for ESPN and ABC, while the remaining 47 will stream on ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu. ESPN says NHL Power Play on the ESPN App returns with 1,050+ out-of-market games across the season, accessible to subscribers via an ESPN Unlimited plan or pay TV authentication.

The NHL regular season begins with an Opening Night tripleheader on September 29. ESPN’s The Point studio show premieres the same day at 4 p.m. ET and will provide weekly pregame coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN+ throughout the season, as announced by ESPN.

Action starts at 5 p.m. ET when the Florida Panthers play the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, with the Hurricanes raising their 2025-26 championship banner prior to puck drop, ESPN said.

At 8 p.m. ET, the New York Rangers face the Boston Bruins in an Original Six matchup. Later at 10:30 p.m., Patrick Kane returns to Chicago with the Chicago Blackhawks visiting the Vegas Golden Knights, ESPN reported.

NHL Frozen Frenzy returns for the fourth time on October 13, with all 32 teams playing. ESPN describes its exclusive tripleheader as starting at 6 p.m. with the New Jersey Devils at the Detroit Red Wings, continuing at 8 p.m. with the Colorado Avalanche at the Dallas Stars, and concluding at 11 p.m. with the Boston Bruins at the San Jose Sharks, as stated by ESPN.

ESPN says the NHL All-Star break begins February 5-6 at UBS Arena on Long Island, New York. The 2027 Honda NHL All-Star Skills competition is scheduled for February 5 at 7 p.m. on ESPN, followed by the Honda NHL All-Star Game on February 6 at 3 p.m. on ABC, according to ESPN.

ESPN also outlined the 2027 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on February 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights will meet at 8 p.m. on ABC, ESPN said, marking the sixth consecutive Stadium Series event on ESPN platforms.

Separately, ESPN and NHL-related releases also outlined national broadcast allocations for specific teams. Yahoo Sports said the Flyers will be featured 19 times on national broadcasts, including three matchups against the Penguins, while NHL.com reported the Dallas Stars will appear on national TV 13 times during the 2026-27 season.