It has been a while since NHL fans were treated to some thrilling on-ice action. After months of anticipation, occasionally interspersed by jaw-dropping contract extensions, the community is bracing itself for the 2025-26 season. You would not want to miss a second of it, and we have got you covered.
Where To Catch Out-of-Market NHL Games
The season opens with the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, battling it out with the Chicago Blackhawks on home ice at the Amerant Bank Arena. As the Panthers aim to three-peat the incredible championship feat, let’s take a look at the team’s key injuries before the season’s first game.
The 2025-26 season starts tonight. #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/lkeema3f8w
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 7, 2025
First, Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk will be absent when the puck drops against the Blackhawks. According to sources, Barkov will be sidelined for the next seven to nine months as he recuperates from surgery for his ACL and MCL injuries.
Tkachuk is expected to be away until at least December after undergoing surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle. Panthers forward Tomas Nosek is also out due to a long-term injury.
Alex Vlasic, the top defenseman for the Blackhawks, will miss Chicago’s opening game. Vlasic sustained a deep cut on the back of his leg on September 26, causing him to miss the first game.
The Panthers and the Blackhawks meet at 5.00 p.m. ET in Sunrise, Florida. For fans in the United States, national games will be available to watch through the following channels.
- ESPN+ broadcasts: ESPN+ and Hulu
- TNT broadcasts: Available for streaming on the Watch TNT and HBO Max apps
- ESPN broadcasts: Watch on ESPN in the ESPN app
- ABC broadcasts: Available to watch on ABC in the ESPN app
Out-of-market fans can watch regional games on NHL Center Ice, which is available for streaming on ESPN+. However, the NHL Network will broadcast certain games outside of Local Markets at different points during the season, and such games will not be available on ESPN+.
RELATED: Panthers Accused of Taking Cheap Shots in Chaotic Preseason Showdown vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Fans in Canada will be able to enjoy national games on three channels:
- Watch on Sportsnet networks, available for streaming on Sportsnet+ in the Sportsnet app.
- You can also enjoy the games on the Prime Video app
- Finally, the games will be available to stream on the TVA app
For fans outside the local market, regional games will be available on the NHL Center Ice, which fans can stream on Sportsnet+ in the Sportsnet app.
With that, you can enjoy Panthers-Blackhawks as the community braces itself for another exhilarating NHL season.
