How to Watch NHL Opening Night on DIRECTV: Tuesday's ESPN Tripleheader, Puck Times and Channels
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Hockey is back. NHL opening night is Tuesday, September 29, 2026, and in the U.S. it is a tripleheader broadcast exclusively on ESPN. Coverage starts at 4 p.m. ET with the season premiere of ESPN's studio show, the first puck drops at 5 p.m. ET, and the night wraps up with a late game in Las Vegas.
Here is the full opening-night schedule, what to watch for, and exactly where to find every game on DIRECTV.
NHL opening night schedule and channels
All times Eastern. Channel numbers are for DIRECTV satellite.
| Time (ET) | Game or show | Network | DIRECTV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 p.m. | The Point (season preview and pregame) | ESPN, ESPN+ | 206 |
| 5 p.m. | Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes | ESPN | 206 |
| 8 p.m. | New York Rangers at Boston Bruins | ESPN | 206 |
| 10:30 p.m. | Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights | ESPN | 206 |
On DIRECTV streaming, find ESPN by name in the guide.
What to watch for on opening night
Panthers at Hurricanes, 5 p.m. ET
The defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes raise their second Stanley Cup championship banner at Lenovo Center before puck drop, so tune in early. Bob Wischusen and analyst Erik Johnson have the call, with Leah Hextall reporting.
Rangers at Bruins, 8 p.m. ET
An Original Six rivalry at TD Garden headlines prime time. Sean McDonough and Ray Ferraro call the game, with Emily Kaplan reporting.
Blackhawks at Golden Knights, 10:30 p.m. ET
The night closes at T-Mobile Arena, where Chicago visits last season's Western Conference champion. Mike Monaco and Kevin Weekes call it, with Stormy Buonantony reporting.
Between games, Steve Levy, Mark Messier and P.K. Subban handle pregame, intermission and postgame coverage on The Point, which starts at 4 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN+ and runs through the night.
How to watch NHL opening night on DIRECTV
- Satellite: all three games are on ESPN, channel 206, which is included starting with the ENTERTAINMENT package.
- Streaming: ESPN is in the channel guide on DIRECTV streaming packages that include it, including the MySports Genre Pack.
- On your phone or tablet: many DIRECTV customers already have ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost, including satellite customers whose package includes ESPN, MySports customers and Signature customers on a Gemini device. Activate it through your DIRECTV account and stream the games in the ESPN app.
Need ESPN at your address before the 5 p.m. puck drop? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Will opening night be on my local sports network?
No. The NHL scheduled opening night as an ESPN exclusive in the U.S., so Hurricanes, Panthers, Rangers, Bruins, Blackhawks and Golden Knights fans should head to ESPN rather than their regional sports network. Your RSN typically picks up most of your team's non-national games as the season goes on.
Also on opening night: two games in Canada
Opening night also includes a Sportsnet doubleheader in Canada: the Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. ET and the Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers at 10 p.m. ET. U.S. fans who want the full league picture can follow studio coverage all evening on NHL Network (DIRECTV channel 215), included starting with the ULTIMATE package.
What's next after opening night
- Wednesday, September 30: TNT's season debut doubleheader, Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers (7:30 p.m. ET) and Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche (10 p.m. ET), on TNT, DIRECTV channel 245.
- Thursday, October 1: ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu open their streaming slate with Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET) and Chicago Blackhawks at Utah Mammoth (9:30 p.m. ET).
For the full season picture, including national TV partners, regional network changes and NHL Center Ice, read our guide on how to watch the 2026-27 NHL season on DIRECTV.
Which DIRECTV package do you need?
- Opening night and national games: ENTERTAINMENT includes ESPN (206) and TNT (245).
- Your local team all season: CHOICE adds regional sports networks where available.
- Every angle: ULTIMATE adds NHL Network (215) for highlights and studio shows.
Get set up before puck drop. Compare DIRECTV packages at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
When is NHL opening night 2026?
Opening night of the 2026-27 NHL season is Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
What time does NHL opening night start?
ESPN's coverage starts at 4 p.m. ET with The Point. The first game, Panthers at Hurricanes, starts at 5 p.m. ET, followed by Rangers at Bruins at 8 p.m. ET and Blackhawks at Golden Knights at 10:30 p.m. ET.
What channel is NHL opening night on DIRECTV?
All three U.S. games air on ESPN, DIRECTV satellite channel 206.
Can I stream NHL opening night?
Yes. The games stream in the ESPN app for eligible subscribers. Many DIRECTV customers have ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost; activate it through your DIRECTV account.
When does TNT start its NHL coverage?
TNT's first games are Wednesday, September 30: Penguins at Flyers at 7:30 p.m. ET and Kings at Avalanche at 10 p.m. ET.
Hockey questions? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed September 29, 2026. Game times, broadcast assignments and commentator crews are subject to change. Channel lineups, package contents and prices may change. NHL, ESPN, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.