NHL in Ontario 2026-27: Key Dates, Channels & How to Watch Every Game
September 28, 2026 · officiel
The NHL in Ontario is back, and this season starts earlier than ever. The 2026-27 season opens Tuesday, September 29, 2026, when the Montréal Canadiens visit the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it ends Saturday, April 10, 2027.
This guide covers everything you need to watch NHL in Ontario this season: the key Leafs and Senators dates, what channel each game is on, and how to set up your streaming so you never miss a goal.
Table of Contents
- NHL in Ontario: Quick Answer
- What’s New for the NHL in Ontario This Season
- NHL in Ontario 2026-27: 9 Key Dates
- Toronto Maple Leafs 2026-27: What to Know
- Ottawa Senators 2026-27: What to Know
- How to Watch NHL in Ontario With IPTV
- Choosing a Safe and Legal Service
- FAQ: NHL in Ontario 2026-27
- Final Whistle
NHL in Ontario: Quick Answer
If you only have 30 seconds, here’s how to watch NHL in Ontario in 2026-27:
- Saturday games: Sportsnet (Saturday Night Hockey)
- Monday games: Sportsnet+ only (streaming)
- Wednesday games: Prime Video (exclusive)
- Regional Leafs games: TSN4
- Regional Senators games: TSN5 (English) and RDS (French)
Every one of these services streams over the internet. That’s why a good IPTV setup matters more than ever for hockey fans in Ontario.
What’s New for the NHL in Ontario This Season
This season changes a lot for Ontario fans:
- 84 games per team. This is the first 84-game schedule since 1993-94, with a record 1,344 games league-wide.
- The earliest start ever. The NHL has never started in September before.
- No more free hockey on CBC. Every Leafs and Senators game now needs a paid subscription.
- New nights on new apps. Wednesdays moved to Prime Video and Mondays moved to Sportsnet+.
The biggest change is the end of a 95-year-old brand. We break it all down in our guide to Hockey Night in Canada 2026 and what changed.
NHL in Ontario 2026-27: 9 Key Dates
Save these dates. They’re the biggest nights of the season for the NHL in Ontario.
| # | Date | Game | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tue, Sept 29 | Canadiens @ Maple Leafs | Opening night for the whole NHL |
| 2 | Wed, Sept 30 | First Prime Video Wednesday | Wednesday games move to Prime Video |
| 3 | Sat, Oct 3 | Senators @ Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. | First Battle of Ontario and the Senators’ season opener |
| 4 | Thu, Oct 8 | Flyers @ Senators, 7 p.m. | Ottawa home opener |
| 5 | Sat, Nov 7 | Canadiens @ Maple Leafs | Original Six rivalry |
| 6 | Dec 18–20 | Senators vs. Blackhawks in Germany | NHL Global Series with early start times in Ontario |
| 7 | Wed, Jan 20 | Maple Leafs @ Senators | Battle of Ontario in Ottawa |
| 8 | Sat, Feb 13 | Maple Leafs @ Senators | Battle of Ontario in Ottawa |
| 9 | Sat, Apr 10 | Final day of the regular season | All 32 teams play |
The last Battle of Ontario of the regular season is Saturday, March 27 in Toronto. The 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs start in mid-April and run into June.
Game times can change. Check the official NHL schedule on game day.
Toronto Maple Leafs 2026-27: What to Know
- The Leafs open with four straight home games.
- They play a western road trip from October 24–31: Edmonton, Calgary, Seattle and Vancouver. Expect late start times in Ontario.
- Their longest homestand is six games, November 3–14.
- Their longest road trip is seven games, December 22 – January 7. It includes a Boxing Day game in Montréal and a California swing.
Where to Watch Maple Leafs Games
| Game type | Channel | How to stream |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday nights | Sportsnet | Sportsnet+ or your TV provider’s app |
| Monday nights | Sportsnet+ only | Sportsnet+ |
| Wednesday nights (about 6 games) | Prime Video | Prime Video app |
| Regional games | TSN4 | TSN+ or the TSN app |
Ottawa Senators 2026-27: What to Know
- The Senators open on the road in Toronto on October 3, then play their home opener against the Flyers on October 8.
- They play two games against Chicago in Düsseldorf, Germany, December 18–20, so expect morning or afternoon start times in Ontario.
- Their bye week runs January 31 – February 8, which includes All-Star Weekend.
- They finish the season at home against Montréal on April 10.
Where to Watch Senators Games
| Game type | Channel | How to stream |
|---|---|---|
| Most regional games (English) | TSN5 | TSN+ or the TSN app |
| Regional games (French) | RDS | RDS app |
| Saturday and national games | Sportsnet | Sportsnet+ |
| Wednesday nights (about 4 games) | Prime Video | Prime Video app |
How to Watch NHL in Ontario With IPTV
Sportsnet+, TSN+, Prime Video and RDS all stream over the internet. Even cable from Rogers and Bell uses IPTV behind the scenes. New to IPTV? Start with What Is IPTV? Simple 2026 Guide for Canada.
Here’s a simple setup for watching NHL in Ontario without lag.
Step 1: Pick a Fast Streaming Device
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max: cheap and fast, and it runs every Canadian hockey app.
- Google TV / Android TV: great for smooth 60 fps hockey.
- Apple TV 4K: very reliable, with the lowest delay.
To compare devices, see our guide to top rated IPTV boxes and apps in Canada.
Step 2: Check Your Internet Speed
| Quality | Minimum | Best for hockey |
|---|---|---|
| HD (1080p) | 10 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| 4K | 25 Mbps | 50 Mbps+ |
| Two games at once | 40 Mbps | 75 Mbps+ |
Use an Ethernet cable if you can. Wi-Fi is the #1 cause of buffering during big games.
Step 3: Tweak Your Settings for Sports
- Turn on Match frame rate so hockey plays at a smooth 60 fps.
- Turn motion smoothing off on your TV.
- Restart your streaming device before big games.
Step 4: Avoid Spoilers
Streams can run 20–60 seconds behind live. Mute score alerts on your phone and stay off social media until the period ends.
For more setup help, read IPTV in Ontario 2026: Best Services & Setup Tips.
Choosing a Safe and Legal Service
When you watch NHL in Ontario, stick with licensed services. They stay stable on busy Saturday nights and they won’t disappear halfway through the season.
Not sure where the line is? Read Is IPTV Legal in Canada in 2026?. To compare providers side by side, see our IPTV Canada Guide 2026.
A simple setup for most Ontario fans:
- Sportsnet+ for Saturdays, Mondays and national games
- Prime Video for Wednesday games
- TSN+ or a TV package with TSN for regional Leafs or Senators games
- One fast device connected by Ethernet
FAQ: NHL in Ontario 2026-27
When does the NHL season start in Ontario?
The 2026-27 season starts on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with Canadiens @ Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. It’s the earliest start in NHL history.
When is the first Battle of Ontario?
Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 7 p.m., when the Senators visit the Maple Leafs in Toronto. The teams meet again on January 20, February 13 and March 27.
When does the NHL regular season end?
Saturday, April 10, 2027. The Stanley Cup Playoffs start in mid-April.
Can I watch NHL in Ontario for free?
No. CBC no longer carries NHL games, so every regular-season game needs a paid service such as Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, TSN or Prime Video.
What channel are the Maple Leafs on?
It depends on the night: Sportsnet on Saturdays, Sportsnet+ on Mondays, Prime Video on some Wednesdays and TSN4 for regional games.
What channel are the Senators on?
Most Senators games are on TSN5, with French broadcasts on RDS. National games are on Sportsnet, and a few Wednesday games are on Prime Video.
What internet speed do I need to watch NHL in Ontario?
At least 25 Mbps for HD and 50 Mbps for 4K. A wired connection works best.
Final Whistle
The 2026-27 season has more games and fewer blackouts than ever, but the games are spread across more apps. To enjoy the NHL in Ontario this season, know which night your game is on, choose the right service, and use a fast, stable IPTV setup.
Bookmark this page. We’ll keep it updated all season.
Sources: NHL.com, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators official 2026-27 schedules, and the Rogers and Sportsnet 2026-27 broadcast announcements. Last updated: September 28, 2026.
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