Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Hockey Never Stops: Sportsnet Announces NHL Opening Week Coverage Details

Starting tonight, Sportsnet is returning to the rink to give Canadian hockey fans a front-row seat to the sport they love.

As the puck drops on the season, Sportsnet is hitting screens big and small across the country to deliver exclusive national coverage of the NHL’s brightest stars and most exciting moments, headlined by the network’s marquee broadcasts – Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday and Rogers Hometown Hockey, now on Monday. (Full broadcast team assignments below.)

The NHL on Sportsnet has a new look and sound this hockey season, centered around the unveiling of the network’s cutting-edge, future-first Sportsnet Studios on Wednesday night.  Opening week coverage also showcases redesigned in-broadcast graphics and ticker, plus new theme music by Canadian alternative-rock band Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker.

Complementing end-to-end NHL coverage across the network’s TV, streaming, mobile and audio platforms, Sportsnet’s all-star roster of insiders, writers and content creators have fans coast-to-coast-to-coast covered with the content that matters most to them. Highlights include:

  • Watch a Leafs Game with Steve Dangle – The post-season viral hit returns for the regular season. Die-hard blue & white fan Dangle is set to live stream every Leafs game on Saturday nights throughout the season, exclusively on Sportsnet’s YouTube channel.
  • 32 Thoughts Podcast with Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek– The fan-favourite podcast returns for another season – and one more thought! – complete with exclusive sit-downs with NHL stars and inside analysis on the latest headlines. Plus, the conversation continues Saturday nights during the second intermission of Hockey Night in Canada.
  • Real Kyper and Bourne– NHL alum Nick Kypreos teams up with hockey analyst Justin Bourne to bring fans the preeminent Leafs podcast. Stream the latest episodes live from anywhere in Canada on the Sportsnet app or catch the conversation later on-demand.
  • The Jeff Marek Show – Insider Jeff Marek and a rotating cast of contributors break down the latest headlines during this new national NHL show. Tune in daily across the Sportsnet Radio Network and available on-demand during the hockey season.
  • Sportsnet Social– Popular content creators Zac Bell and Jillian Fisher join the Sportsnet social media team this season to serve up can’t-miss videos.
  • Sportsnet.ca – Big Reads, season previews, breaking news, opinion, plus insights from Canada’s top hockey writers: Iain MacIntyre (VAN), Eric Francis (CGY), Mark Spector (EDM), Ken Wiebe (WPG), Luke Fox (TOR), Wayne Scanlan (OTT) and Eric Engels (MTL).

Details of NHL on Sportsnet opening week include:

Tuesday, Oct. 12

7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT – Pittsburgh Penguins @ Tampa Bay Lightning (Sportsnet & SN NOW)

Host: David Amber; Analyst: Anthony Stewart and Elliotte Friedman

Feature: Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin sit down and discuss their careers for their first interview together since their rookie season.

10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT – Seattle Kraken @ Vegas Golden Knights (Sportsnet & SN NOW)

Wednesday, Oct. 13

6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT – Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey (Sportsnet & SN NOW)

Caroline Cameron debuts as host of the mid-week marquee broadcast, alongside analysts Kevin Bieksa, Cassie Campbell-Pascall and Friedman.

Feature – Christine Simpson returns for a new season of The Big Picture, featuring interviews with close friends Jon Cooper and Charles Barkley.

Thursday, Oct. 14

6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT – Hockey Central (Sportsnet 360 & SN NOW)

  • Host: Cameron; Analysts: Mike Futa and Justin Bourne

7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – Pittsburgh Penguins @ Florida Panthers (Sportsnet 360 & SN NOW)

Friday, Oct. 15

6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT – Hockey Central (Sportsnet ONE & SN NOW)

  • Host: Cameron; Analysts: Sam Cosentino & Stewart

7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – Vancouver Canucks @ Philadelphia Flyers (Sportsnet ONE & SN NOW | Sportsnet 650)

  • TV & Stream – Play-by-play: John Shorthouse; Analyst: John Garrett; Reporter: Dan Murphy
  • SN650 – Play-by-play: Batchelor; Analysts: Hirsch and Shah

Saturday, Oct. 16

6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT – Hockey Night in Canada (Sportsnet, Citytv, CBC & SN NOW)

Hosts Ron MacLean and Amber return to the Saturday night special, alongside analysts Friedman, Hrudey, Bieksa and Jennifer Botterill. Jeff Marek debuts as a regular Hockey Night in Canada contributor forthe weekly 32 Thoughts segment with Friedman during second intermission.

Feature – Sportsnet’s Cabbie Richards joins Connor McDavid for a walk-and-talk at Rogers Arena and experiences a day in the life of #97.

  • 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – Ottawa Senators @ Toronto Maple Leafs (Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet West, CBC, OMNI & SN NOW | Sportsnet 590 the FAN)
    • TV & Stream – Play-by-play: Cuthbert; Analyst: Simpson; Reporter: Bukauskas
  • 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – New York Rangers @ Montreal Canadiens (Sportsnet East, Citytv and SN NOW)
  • 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – Vancouver Canucks @ Detroit Red Wings (Sportsnet Pacific & SN NOW | Sportsnet 650)
    • TV & Stream – Play-by-play: Shorthouse; Analyst: Garrett; Reporter: Murphy
    • SN650 – Play-by-play: Batchelor; Analysts: Hirsch and Shah
  • 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT – Calgary Flames @ Edmonton Oilers (Sportsnet, CBC & SN NOW | Sportsnet 960)
    • TV & Stream – Play-by-play: Singh; Analyst: DeBrusk; Reporter: Scott Oake
    • Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition – Studio: Janda, Sian and Gill; Play-by-play: Bhandal; Game Analyst: Pander
  • 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT – Winnipeg Jets @ San Jose Sharks (Sportsnet West & SN NOW)
    • Play-by-play: Ball; Analyst: Campbell-Pascall; Reporter: Reynolds
  • After Hours (Sportsnet, CBC & SN NOW)
    • Host: Oake

Monday, Oct. 18

6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT – Rogers Hometown Hockey (Sportsnet & SN NOW) Hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone kick off the 8th season of the cross-country tour live from North Dumfries, ON.

  • 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – New York Rangers @ Toronto Maple Leafs (Sportsnet & SN NOW)
    • Play-by-play: Cuthbert; Analyst: Simpson; Reporter: Bukauskas

Related Articles

TV Series News

NETWORK

Alert: Missing Persons Unit (FOX / CTV) has been cancelled after 3 seasons.

The Cleaning Lady (FOX / CTV) has been cancelled after 4 seasons.

All American (The CW / Showcase) has beeen renewed for an 8th and Final Season.

Scrabble & Trivial Pursuit (The CW) have been renewed for a Second season.

SPECIALTY

The Chi (Showtime / Crave) has been renewed for an Eighth season.

Yellowjackets (Showtime / Crave) has been renewed for a Fourth season.

Dexter: Resurrection (Showtime / Paramount+ Canada) Premieres July 11, 2025.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FXX / FXX Canada) Season 17 Premieres July 9, 2025.

The Gilded Age (HBO / HBO Canada) Season 3 Premieres June 22, 2025.

STREAMING

Bad Thoughts (Netflix) has been renewed for a Second season.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+) has been renewed for a Fifth and Final season.

The Diplomat (Netflix) Season 3 Premieres Fall 2025.

SkyMed (Paramount+ / CBC) has been renewed for a Fourth season; it will air exclusively on Paramount+.

Slow Horses (Apple TV+) Season 5 Premieres September 24, 2025.

Harry Wild (Acorn TV) has been renewed for a Fifth season.

Laid (Peacock / W Network) has been cancelled after 1 season.

The Morning Show (Apple TV+) Season 4 Premieres September 17, 2025.

The Terminal List (Amazon Prime Video) Season 2 Premieres August 27, 2025.

Hacks (Max / Crave) has been renewed for a Fifth season.

The Wheel of Time (Amazon Prime Video) has been cancelled after 3 seasons.

Women in Blue (Apple TV+) has been renewed for a Second season.

Platonic (Apple TV+) Season 2 Premieres August 6, 2025.

The Bondsman (Amazon Prime Video) has been cancelled after 1 season.

Lupin (Netflix) has been renewed for a Fourth Season.

My Life with the Walter Boys (Netflix) has been renewed for a Third season.

Survival of the Thickest (Netflix) has been renewed for a Third and Final season.

The Diplomat (Netflix) has been renewed for a Fourth season.

Forever (Netflix) has been renewed for a Second season.

The Four Seasons (Netflix) has been renewed for a Second season.

Bridgerton (Netflix) has been renewed for 5th & 6th seasons.

The Bear (FX on Hulu / Disney+ Canada) Season 4 Premieres June 25, 2025.

Peacemaker (Max / Crave) Season 2 Premieres August 21, 2025.

Foundation (Apple TV+) Season 3 Premieres July 11, 2025.

Acapulco (Apple TV+) 4th and Final Season Premieres July 23, 2025.

The Summer I Turned Pretty (Amazon Prime Video) 3rd and Final season Premieres July 16, 2025.

Wednesday (Netflix) Season 2, Part 1 Premieres August 6, 2025; Part 2 Premieres September 3, 2025.

The Sandman (Netflix) Season 2, Part 1 Premieres July 3, 2025; Season 2, Part 2 Premieres July 24, 2025.

The Buccaneers (Apple TV+) Season 2 Premieres June 18, 2025.

What's On?

What’s On? June 15 - 28:

SERIES PREMIERE
Countdown
Hell Motel
Inside
Ironheart
Long Bright River
Smoke
We Were Liars
The Veil
The Waterfront

SEASON PREMIERE
The Bear
The Buccaneers
The Chosen
The Gilded Age

SEASON FINALE
Adults
Leverage: Redemption
Scrublands
Sullivan's Crossing
The Walking Dead: Dead City

Latest Articles