After years of rebuilding, the Canadiens turned promise into a genuine playoff run in 2025–2026. Montreal finished with 106 points and reached the Eastern Conference Final, while Nick Suzuki became the franchise’s first 100-point player in 40 years and won the Selke Trophy. With Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský, Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, and Ivan Demidov still driving a young core, the Habs have moved well beyond simply hoping to sneak into the postseason.
Following Montreal on TV takes a little more sorting than most NHL teams because Canadian rights are split by both language and broadcast territory. Regional English- and Canadian French–language games have separate homes, while national matchups are divided among Canada’s updated NHL packages. U.S. Habs fans have a more straightforward out-of-market path, though national exclusives and local blackouts still matter.
Below, we’ll break down where Canadiens games air on both sides of the border, lay out the complete 2026–2027 TV schedule, and recommend our best viewing options for U.S. fans. We’ll also cover Amazon Prime Video, Canadian broadcast differences, blackouts, and free viewing.
What channels have Montreal Canadiens games?
How to watch the Canadiens in the U.S.
If you’re a Habs fan in the U.S., the best way to watch out-of-market games is with NHL Power Play on the ESPN app. It requires an ESPN Select or Unlimited plan and carries most regional Canadiens broadcasts outside local blackout areas. NHL Center Ice is also available as an out-of-market option for those with a traditional cable or satellite TV plan.
A small number of regular-season matchups may air nationally on ABC, ESPN, or TNT. But the biggest thing to watch for is when the Canadiens play your in-market NHL team. If that game isn’t nationally televised, you’ll typically need access to the local team’s regional broadcaster or streaming service.
How to watch the Canadiens in Canada
Canadiens coverage in Canada is split by both language and broadcast type. TSN2 carries 50 English-language regional games in Montreal’s designated broadcast territory, while RDS carries 45 regional games in French. National English-language games air through Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, while TVA Sports carries 32 national Canadiens games in French.
Prime Video is another major piece of the 2026–2027 setup, with select Canadiens games streaming exclusively through Wednesday Night Hockey in Canada. Those broadcasts are available in both English and French. That’s not the only change to Canada’s NHL lineup: CBC is no longer part of the league’s TV package, which means the familiar free Saturday-night option is gone.
2026–2027 Montreal Canadiens TV schedule
This NHL regular season brings the Canadiens back to an 84-game schedule for the first time since 1993–1994, spanning September 29 through April 10. Highlights include the Heritage Classic against Winnipeg on October 25 and a November 10 Bell Centre celebration honoring Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Carey Price.
Below is the complete Canadiens schedule with start times and U.S. viewing information. We’ll keep it updated throughout the season as additional broadcast assignments are revealed.
NHL - Montreal Canadiens Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | |||
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Sept. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Sept. 26 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Sept. 26 | TBD | TBD | |
September | |||
Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
October | |||
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Oct. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Oct. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Oct. 13 | 6:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Oct. 23 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, Oct. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
At Dallas Stars | Thursday, Oct. 29 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD |
Saturday, Oct. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
November | |||
Tuesday, Nov. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Nov. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 14 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Nov. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Nov. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Nov. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Nov. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Nov. 25 | 9:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 28 | 4:00 p.m. | TBD | |
At Utah Mammoth | Monday, Nov. 30 | 9:30 p.m. | TBD |
December | |||
Wednesday, Dec. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Dec. 5 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, Dec. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Dec. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Dec. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Dec. 12 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Dec. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Friday, Dec. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Dec. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Dec. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, Dec. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Dec. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Dec. 31 | 2:00 p.m. | TBD | |
January | |||
Saturday, Jan. 2 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Jan. 4 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Jan. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Jan. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Jan. 14 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Jan. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Jan. 18 | 2:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Jan. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Jan. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Jan. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Jan. 28 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
February | |||
Monday, Feb. 1 | 8:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Feb. 3 | 9:40 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Feb. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, Feb. 14 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, Feb. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Feb. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, Feb. 22 | 2:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, Feb. 24 | 10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Feb. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
March | |||
Monday, March 1 | 10:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, March 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, March 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, March 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, March 10 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, March 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, March 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, March 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, March 20 | 12:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Monday, March 22 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Wednesday, March 24 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, March 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, March 28 | 6:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, March 30 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
April | |||
Thursday, April 1 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Sunday, April 4 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, April 6 | 7:15 p.m. | TBD | |
Thursday, April 8 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, April 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD |
Best U.S. TV plans for Montreal Canadiens fans
Because the Canadiens are based in Canada, most U.S. fans follow them as an out-of-market team. NHL Power Play therefore covers much of the regular season, with a smaller group of national ESPN and TNT Sports broadcasts mixed in. When Montreal plays the NHL team in your local market, that team’s regional broadcaster can also factor in.
Our recommendations approach those needs differently. One gives NHL fans a broader national and local-channel setup, while the other focuses on the simplest path to stream Montreal’s out-of-market games.
Best for Out-of-Market Fans
ESPN Unlimited is the simpler option if your main goal is following the Canadiens from the U.S. The plan includes NHL Power Play, ESPN’s branded hub for out-of-market NHL games. That gives you most regional Canadiens broadcasts outside blackout areas, plus ESPN and ABC games. You’ll still need separate access for TNT, NHL Network, or games controlled by your local NHL broadcaster.
How to watch the Montreal Canadiens FAQ
Can I watch Montreal Canadiens games for free?
There's no reliable way to watch the full Canadiens season for free. CBC no longer carries NHL games starting with the 2026–2027 season, eliminating Canada's longtime free Saturday-night option. Eligible streaming or live TV trials may provide temporary access to certain broadcasts, but most games require a paid service.
What do I need to watch every Canadiens game in Canada?
English-language viewers need access to TSN2 for regional games, Sportsnet or Sportsnet+ for national coverage, and Prime Video for any exclusive Wednesday games. French-language viewers need RDS for regional broadcasts, TVA Sports for national games, and Prime Video for those same Wednesday exclusives.
Can I watch Canadiens games on Prime Video?
Yes, Prime Video carries seven Canadiens games nationally in Canada as part of Wednesday Night Hockey. Canadian Prime members can watch the games in English and French at no extra cost, but you'll still need separate access to TSN2, RDS, Sportsnet, or TVA Sports for the rest of the season.
Why is the Canadiens game blacked out?
Regional blackouts depend on where you're watching. TSN2 and RDS regional broadcasts are limited to the Canadiens' designated Canadian territory, while U.S. NHL Power Play feeds can be unavailable when Montreal plays a team whose local broadcast territory includes your location.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com Contributing Writer Ian McLaren has covered the NHL for nearly two decades and has watched the Canadiens grow from a rebuilding club into an Eastern Conference finalist. He doesn’t need to be a Habs fan to appreciate what a competitive Montreal team adds to the league or how closely its progress is followed across Canada.
Ian reviewed current NHL, TSN, RDS, Sportsnet, TVA Sports, Prime Video, ESPN, and TNT Sports information to sort through Montreal’s unusually fragmented viewing setup. CableTV.com also updates this guide as schedules and broadcast assignments change. Learn more about our process on our How We Rank page.
More ways to watch NHL games
There are a lot of channels and services to keep tabs on this NHL season. But don't worry. Our guide gives you a complete rundown, highlighting the best TV providers so you don't miss a single body check.
Skate into endless hours of NHL action with ESPN+. Stream 1,050+ out-of-market games and 47 exclusive national matchups with ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited.
NHL Center Ice is an out-of-market sports package for cable and satellite TV subscribers that gets you around 40 NHL games per week. It also includes NHL Network for around-the-clock hockey coverage.
