There’s no better way to heat up in the dead of winter than watching two hockey players smash into the board while one of their teammates steals the puck and sinks into deep into the net. And we get plenty of that each year from October through June!
Here’s our daily guide to watching NHL games on TV in the 2024 season. We’ll keep this page up to date each day, so you don’t miss any of the exciting NHL games today on TV. Will the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers pull of a repeat, or will another hopeful team challenge them for the crown?
Check out DIRECTV’s extensive NHL coverage to make sure you can watch your team play live!
NHL Games on TV Today
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals – 7:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Carolina Hurricanes (20-10-1, 66% win, 3.6 average points for, 27% power play, 85% penalty kill) face off against the Washington Capitals (21-8-2, 71% win, 3.8 average points for, 21% power play, 84% penalty kill) in an East Coast showdown. The Hurricanes, with their strong power play, aim to challenge the Capitals’ robust defense. But Washington’s impressive win record and offensive output make them a formidable opponent. This is a highly anticipated matchup, likely to highlight the offensive prowess of both teams as they aim to cement their strong positions in the standings.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres – 7:00 PM – ESPN+, ESPN+ for Business, Hulu
The Toronto Maple Leafs (20-10-2, 66% win, 3 average points for, 20% power play, 83% penalty kill) face off against the Buffalo Sabres (11-17-4, 41% win, 2.9 average points for, 14% power play, 77% penalty kill). Toronto brings their strong offense and superior power play advantage to the challenge against Buffalo, hoping to continue their top-tier performance. The Sabres, despite their lower season record, will be looking to pull off an upset and improve their overall statistics. Can the Leafs maintain their dominance, or will the Sabres turn the tide on home ice?
St. Louis Blues at Florida Panthers – 7:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The St. Louis Blues (15-16-3, 49% win, 2.5 average points for, 3.1 points against, 16% power play, 77% penalty kill) square off against the Florida Panthers (20-11-2, 64% win, 3.6 average points for, 3.2 points against, 26% power play, 80% penalty kill). The Blues, hovering around a 50% win ratio, will be looking to gain some momentum against the Panthers, who have been more successful this season. Florida’s strong power play may pose a challenge to the Blues’ defense. Will the Panthers continue their strong play at home, or can the Blues achieve a much-needed win on the road?
Montreal Canadiens at Detroit Red Wings – 7:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Montreal Canadiens (12-16-3, 44% win, 2.8 average points for, 22% power play, 81% penalty kill) face off against the Detroit Red Wings (13-14-4, 48% win, 2.7 average points for, 25% power play, 68% penalty kill). The Canadiens, struggling this season, are hoping to salvage their performance with a win against the slightly ahead Red Wings. With a strong power play and a reasonable win rate, Detroit will be looking to assert their dominance on home ice.
Utah Hockey Club at Minnesota Wild – 8:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Utah Hockey Club (15-11-5, 56% win, 3 average points for, 2.9 points against, 22% power play, 78% penalty kill) faces the Minnesota Wild (20-8-4, 69% win, 3.1 average points for, 2.7 points against, 20% power play, 70% penalty kill). Utah, holding a solid record, will look to overcome the Wild’s dominant home court advantage. Minnesota, on the other hand, with their impressive win percentage and stronger power play units, is set to give a tough fight.
New York Rangers at Dallas Stars – 8:00 PM – NHL Center Ice, NHL Network
The New York Rangers (15-15-1, 50% win, 3 average points for, 21% power play, 87% penalty kill) hit the road to face the Dallas Stars (19-12-0, 61% win, 3.3 average points for, 18% power play, 84% penalty kill). While both teams have skilled players, Dallas will try to leverage their higher win percentage and solid defense, whereas the Rangers aim to put pressure with their effective power play.
Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks – 10:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Colorado Avalanche (19-15-0, 56% win, 3.3 average points for, 3.4 points against, 24% power play, 76% penalty kill) square off against the Anaheim Ducks (12-14-4, 47% win, 2.5 average points for, 3.1 average points against, 15% power play, 73% penalty kill). The Avalanche will be looking to exploit their superior power play against the Ducks’ weaker penalty kill. Despite being on home ice, Anaheim has a tough match ahead, facing a Colorado side undergoing a robust campaign this season.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
Los Angeles Kings at Nashville Predators – 1:30 PM – NHL Center Ice, NHL Network
The formidable LA Kings (19-9-4, 66% win, 3.2 average points for, 15% power play, 82% penalty kill) lock horns against the Nashville Predators (9-17-7, 38% win, 2.3 average points for, 18% power play, 87% penalty kill). The Kings will aim to continue their winning momentum while the Predators gear up to turn around their fortunes starting with this match.
San Jose Sharks at Edmonton Oilers – 4:00 PM – , NHL Center Ice
The San Jose Sharks (11-19-5, 39% win, 2.7 average points for, 18% power play, 79% penalty kill) are ready to battle it out on the ice with the Edmonton Oilers (19-11-2, 63% win, 3.3 average points for, 22% power play, 74% penalty kill). The Sharks aim to turn the tables against the formidable Oilers. The Oilers, led by their high-scoring offense, aim to solidify their position further in the league.
Chicago Blackhawks at Calgary Flames – 4:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Chicago Blackhawks (12-19-2, 39% win, 2.5 average points for, 3.1 average points against, 22% power play, 85% penalty kill) are up against the Calgary Flames (15-11-7, 56% win, 2.7 average points for, 3.1 average points against, 22% power play, 73% penalty kill). The Blackhawks are aiming to improve their performance in what has been a challenging season so far and will look to exploit the Flames’ subpar penalty kill percentage. Conversely, the Flames come into this game with a better win rate and will be looking to leverage their strong power play against the Blackhawks.
Minnesota Wild at Winnipeg Jets – 7:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Minnesota Wild (20-8-4, 69% win, 3.1 average points for, 2.7 points against, 20% power play, 70% penalty kill) take on the Winnipeg Jets (23-10-1, 69% win, 3.6 average points for, 2.6 points against, 31% power play, 79% penalty kill). The Wild aim to neutralize the Jets’ potent power play, while the Jets will rely on their impeccable penalty kill to thwart any Wild advance.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils – 7:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Pittsburgh Penguins (15-14-5, 51% win, 3.1 average points for, 3.7 average points against, 23% power play percent, 82% penalty kill percent) clash with the New Jersey Devils (21-11-3, 64% win, 3.3 average points for, 2.6 average points against, 30% power play percent, 81% penalty kill percent). The Penguins, despite some inconsistency in their performance, are eager to increase their win percentage against the formidable Devils. Holding one of the highest power play percentages in the league, New Jersey will aim to exploit this strength to secure a victory on home ice.
New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs – 7:00 PM – NHL Center Ice, NHL Network
The New York Islanders (12-14-7, 47% win, 2.6 average points for, 3.1 average points against, 12% power play percent, 64% penalty kill percent) challenge the formidable Toronto Maple Leafs (20-10-2, 66% win, 3 average points for, 2.6 average points against, 20% power play percent, 83% penalty kill percent). The Islanders, currently struggling to maintain consistency, are looking to upset the Maple Leafs’ winning rhythm. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, aim to solidify their place in the rankings and will need to capitalize on their effective power play against the Islanders’ struggling penalty kill.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers – 7:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Columbus Blue Jackets (13-15-5, 47% win, 3.3 average points for, 3.6 average points against, 19% power play percent, 73% penalty kill percent) go up against the Philadelphia Flyers‘ (14-15-4, 48% win, 3 average points for, 3.6 average points against, 16% power play percent, 80% penalty kill percent). The Blue Jackets will want to improve their penalty killing, an area where the Flyers excel.
Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins – 7:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Buffalo Sabres (11-17-4, 41% win, 2.9 average points for, 14% power play, 77% penalty kill) are go head-to-head with the Boston Bruins (17-13-4, 56% win, 2.6 average points for, 13% power play, 78% penalty kill) at TD Garden. The Sabres are looking for an upset, but they’ll need to pull it off against an increasingly effective B’s squad.
Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens – 7:00 PM – NHL Center Ice, NHL Network
The Detroit Red Wings (13-14-4, 48% win, 2.7 average points for, 3.2 average points against, 25% power play, 68% penalty kill) and the Montreal Canadiens (12-16-3, 44% win, 2.8 average points for, 3.7 average points against, 22% power play, 81% penalty kill). The Red Wings are looking to tip over .500 with a victory against their hosts, using their power play advantage. The Canadiens seek to turn their losing season around, banking on their solid penalty kill rate to outperform the Red Wings.
Ottawa Senators at Vancouver Canucks – 10:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Ottawa Senators (17-13-2, 56% win, 3.1 average points for, 2.8 points against, 25% power play, 77% penalty kill) go up against the Vancouver Canucks (16-10-6, 59% win, 3.1 average points for, 3.1 points against, 23% power play, 80% penalty kill). The Senators will look to extend their winning streak, while the Canucks will rely on their efficient penalty kill to shut down their scoring.
Seattle Kraken at Vegas Golden Knights – 10:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Seattle Kraken (15-17-2, 47% win, 2.9 average points for, 3 average points against, 17% power play, 80% penalty kill) face the Vegas Golden Knights (21-8-3, 70% win, 3.5 average points for, 2.9 average points against, 27% power play, 80% penalty kill). The Kraken, striving to improve their standing, will face a tough challenge against the dominant Golden Knights. This match is sure to heat up as the Golden Knights aim to utilize their home advantage, while the Kraken look to score an upset win.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers – 12:30 PM – NHL Center Ice, NHL Network
The Carolina Hurricanes (20-10-1, 66% win, 3.6 average points for, 2.8 average points against, 27% power play, 85% penalty kill) square off against the New York Rangers (15-15-1, 50% win, 3 average points for, 3 average points against, 21% power play, 87% penalty kill). The Hurricanes hope to strengthen their impressive win percentage, while the Rangers look for an opportunity to push past .500. With the Hurricanes’ efficient power plays and the Rangers’ robust defense, both teams have a point to prove, and it’s going to be a thrilling watch.
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning – 5:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Florida Panthers (20-11-2, 64% win, 3.6 average points for, 26% power play, 80% penalty kill) take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (18-10-2, 63% win, 4 average points for, 28% power play, 80% penalty kill) in a Florida showdown. Both teams are poised to keep their winning momentum going in this highly anticipated rivalry match-up. The Lightning’s powerful offense will be tested by the Panthers’ strong penalty kill.
Los Angeles Kings at Washington Capitals – 5:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The LA Kings (19-9-4, 66% win, 3.2 average points for, 82% penalty kill) challenge the formidable Washington Capitals (21-8-2, 71% win, 3.8 average points for, 84% penalty kill). The Kings hold a strong record and will be looking to upend the dominant Capitals. The Capitals, sporting the league’s second-best win percentage, are eager to defend their home ice.
Anaheim Ducks at Utah Hockey Club – 5:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Anaheim Ducks (12-14-4, 47% win, 2.5 average points for, 15% power play, 73% penalty kill) challenge the Utah Hockey Club (15-11-5, 56% win, 3.0 average points for, 22% power play, 78% penalty kill). The Ducks look to break their skid and claim a win on the road, while Utah aims to capitalize on their slightly superior win percentage and home ice advantage.
Ottawa Senators at Edmonton Oilers – 8:00 PM – NHL Center Ice
The Ottawa Senators (17-13-2, 56% win, 3.1 average points for, 2.8 average points against, 25% power play percent, 77% penalty kill percent) challenge the Edmonton Oilers (19-11-2, 63% win, 3.3 average points for, 2.9 average points against, 22% power play percent, 74% penalty kill percent) in a highly anticipated clash. The Senators, boasting a respectable win streak, are looking to extend their success against the formidable Oilers. Meanwhile, the Oilers will aim to defend their home ice and further improve their winning percentage.
Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche – 8:00 PM – NHL Center Ice, NHL Network
The Seattle Kraken (15-17-2, 47% win, 2.9 average points for, 39% power play, 80% penalty kill) takes on Colorado Avalanche (19-15-0, 56% win, 3.3 average points for, 24% power play, 76% penalty kill). Despite a tough start to the season, the Kraken are seeking to turn their fortunes around against the Avalanche. This encounter will provide an opportunity for Colorado to leverage their power play against Seattle’s vulnerable defense. Meanwhile, the Kraken will have to step up their game to secure a victory against the Avalanche.
Where to Watch NHL Games
There are plenty of places to make sure you don’t miss a moment of your favorite NHL team’s season. Here’s where to watch NHL hockey games on TV today and all season long:
- REGIONAL SPORTS LINEUP (only available in some areas)
- TNT – 245
- ESPN – 206
- ABC –Check local listings
- NHL Network
- NHL Center Ice*
*currently available for satellite customers
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2024-2025 NHL season start?
The NHL season begins on October 4, 2024.
When does the 2024-2025 NHL season end?
The NHL season ends on April 17, 2025.
Who won the NHL Stanley Cup Final last season?
The Florida Panthers won the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final.
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