Toronto Maple Leafs Subjected to Schedule Changes That Affect the NHL's National Broadcasts
Photo credit: Gerry Angus-Imagn Images
In 2026, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have two nationally televised games in the United States, and both have just been hit with some schedule changes.
Due to the World Series and the success of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been forced to change their schedule around a few times.
Why? Well, it's because they want their fans to be able to experience what it's like to watch a championship team in the midst of a potential championship run.
Leafs games are now starting earlier so that Scotiabank Arena can be turned into a World Series watch party. It's been great to see, and the NHL has been accommodating.
However, the Maple Leafs are now being hit with another schedule change, although this one has nothing to do with the World Series.
Toronto Maple Leafs hit with another schedule change
According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, numerous nationally televised NHL games have been hit with new start times. The Maple Leafs play in two of these games as of 2026.
The first game takes place on January 29th between the Maple Leafs and the Seattle Kraken. This game is on ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu, and will begin at 10 PM.
The second game takes place on April 9th against the New York Islanders, and the start time for this one will be 6:45 PM. Again, ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu will be channels for this game.
The Maple Leafs don't get a ton of nationally televised games in the United States, so this is going to be a lot of fun for the players.
Having said that, they are going to need to be a lot better by those points in the season; otherwise, they won't be that much fun to watch.
Regardless, we are just happy to see the Maple Leafs get some well-deserved recognition.
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