The Detroit Red Wings have spent years in rebuild mode, but the tide may finally be turning. Captain Dylan Larkin leads a maturing core, Moritz Seider anchors the blue line, Lucas Raymond looks ready for a breakout, and newcomer John Gibson adds stability in goal. In Hockeytown, there’s growing belief the long playoff drought could soon end.
I’ve followed the Wings through both glory years and lean seasons, and one thing’s clear: keeping up with every game on TV can be tricky. That’s because broadcast rights are split between regional networks, national channels, and streaming platforms. This guide cuts through the clutter, so whether you’re watching from Michigan, across the U.S., or in Canada, you’ll know exactly where to find every puck drop.
From FanDuel Sports Network Detroit’s local coverage to national broadcasts on ESPN and TNT, I’ll walk you through the best ways to follow the Red Wings. I even outline my picks for the most reliable and cost-effective TV setup.
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What channels have Detroit Red Wings games?
In the U.S., most Red Wings games air locally on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (FDSDET). Out-of-market fans can catch those same regular-season games on ESPN+, which streams all matchups not shown nationally.
National broadcasts appear on ESPN, TNT, ABC, and occasionally NHL Network. To watch these, you’ll need a live TV service that carries each channel, such as DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV.
Want radio coverage? The Red Wings’ flagship radio station is 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM) in Detroit, which broadcasts all regular-season and playoff games.
Red Wings channels for Canadian fans
In Canada, games against Canadian opponents are usually carried on Sportsnet or TSN, with many U.S. national broadcasts simulcast on Canadian networks. Sportsnet+ offers live streaming for most games shown on Sportsnet, while RDS provides Canadian French–language coverage for select matchups.
2025–2026 Detroit Red Wings TV schedule
From October’s Opening Night at Little Caesars Arena to the final push for a playoff spot in April, every game will be part of Detroit’s comeback story. The big question is, can they finally squash the longest playoff drought in franchise history?
Here’s the complete 2025–2026 Red Wings TV schedule with start times and channel listings. Now, you can follow the action from the first puck drop to the last horn.
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Preseason |
|||
| Chicago Blackhawks | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | DetriotRedWings.com |
| Buffalo Sabres | Thursday, Sept. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | DetriotRedWings.com |
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Friday, Sept. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | FDSDET |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 3:00 p.m. | DetriotRedWings.com |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Monday, Sept. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | FDSDET |
| At Chicago Blackhawks | Tuesday, Sept. 30 | 8:00 p.m. | DetriotRedWings.com |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Thursday, Oct. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | DetriotRedWings.com |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | FDSDET |
|
October |
|||
| Montreal Canadiens | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Monday, Oct. 13 | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Florida Panthers | Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Friday, Oct. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Edmonton Oilers | Sunday, Oct. 19 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At New York Islanders | Thursday, Oct. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| St. Louis Blues | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At St. Louis Blues | Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 8:15 p.m. | TBA |
| At Los Angeles Kings | Thursday, Oct. 30 | 10:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Anaheim Ducks | Friday, Oct. 31 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
November |
|||
| At San Jose Sharks | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Vegas Golden Knights | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Rangers | Friday, Nov. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Anaheim Ducks | Thursday, Nov. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Buffalo Sabres | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Rangers | Sunday, Nov. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Seattle Kraken | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Islanders | Thursday, Nov. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New Jersey Devils | Monday, Nov. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Nashville Predators | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Friday, Nov. 28 | 12:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Boston Bruins | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
December |
|||
| Boston Bruins | Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Columbus Blue Jackets | Thursday, Dec. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Seattle Kraken | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Vancouver Canucks | Monday, Dec. 8 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Calgary Flames | Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Edmonton Oilers | Thursday, Dec. 11 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Chicago Blackhawks | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Islanders | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Utah Mammoth | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Washington Capitals | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 12:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Washington Capitals | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Dallas Stars | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 6:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Winnipeg Jets | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 6:30 p.m. | TBA |
|
January |
|||
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 12:00 p.m. | ABC |
| At Ottawa Senators | Monday, Jan. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Vancouver Canucks | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Montreal Canadiens | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Monday, Jan. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Boston Bruins | Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| San Jose Sharks | Friday, Jan. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Ottawa Senators | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Wednesday, Jan. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Minnesota Wild | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Winnipeg Jets | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Los Angeles Kings | Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Washington Capitals | Thursday, Jan. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Colorado Avalanche | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 1:00 p.m. | ABC |
|
February |
|||
| At Colorado Avalanche | Monday, Feb. 2 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Utah Mammoth | Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Ottawa Senators | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
March |
|||
| At Nashville Predators | Monday, March 2 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Wednesday, March 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Florida Panthers | Friday, March 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New Jersey Devils | Sunday, March 8 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Florida Panthers | Tuesday, March 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Tampa Bay Lightning | Thursday, March 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Dallas Stars | Saturday, March 14 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Calgary Flames | Monday, March 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Montreal Canadiens | Thursday, March 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Boston Bruins | Saturday, March 21 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC |
| Ottawa Senators | Tuesday, March 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Friday, March 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Saturday, March 28 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC |
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Tuesday, March 31 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
April |
|||
| At Philadelphia Flyers | Thursday, April 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Rangers | Saturday, April 4 | 12:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Minnesota Wild | Sunday, April 5 | 1:00 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Tuesday, April 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Thursday, April 9 | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| New Jersey Devils | Saturday, April 11 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Tampa Bay Lightning | Monday, April 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Florida Panthers | Wednesday, April 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the Ottawa Senators
When it comes to watching the Senators on TV, there are two completely different sets of rules: one for fans in Canada and another for fans in the U.S. To make it simple, I’ve broken down my top viewing recommendations for each country below.
Senators coverage in Canada
In my experience, the best all-around setup for Senators fans in Canada is to pair a TSN subscription with access to Sportsnet for national games. That way, you’re covered for every regular-season matchup without having to hunt for streams or deal with blackout headaches.
If you prefer streaming, TSN+ offers a monthly or annual subscription for English-language regional broadcasts, while RDS Direct provides the same games in French. Both services work on most devices, and getting a Sportsnet+ subscription means you’ll be fully covered for Hockey Night in Canada and other national broadcasts.
It’s a simple, reliable combo that makes it easy to flip on the TV—or open the app—knowing you won’t miss a shift.
Senators channels for American fans
For U.S.-based Sens fans, the best all-in-one option is Hulu + Live TV. It includes ESPN+ for those out-of-market Senators games, plus TNT, ABC, and ESPN for nationally televised matchups. This bundled approach saves you from juggling multiple subscriptions and makes sure you won’t miss a game.
If you’re a multi-sport fan wanting a more cable-like channel lineup, DIRECTV is an excellent alternative. It carries the same national NHL channels as Hulu + Live TV, but with stronger regional sports coverage for in-market MLB, NBA, and NHL games. DIRECTV regularly offers free streaming trials, which is a nice perk for testing the service before committing.
How to watch the Ottawa Senators for free
If you’re hoping to catch the Sens without opening your wallet, there are a few options worth trying. In Canada, your best bet is to sign up for a TSN+ or Sportsnet+ free trial when available. Some nationally televised games on CBC and Citytv can also be streamed for free through their websites or apps.
In the U.S., services like Hulu + Live TV and DIRECTV occasionally offer free trials, giving you temporary access to national broadcasts on ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NHL Network. You can also stream out-of-market games for free if they happen to be featured on ESPN’s promotional nights or during special events like the NHL Global Series.
Free viewing options are usually limited and short-lived, but they’re a handy way to sample different services before committing for the season. Just don’t expect to rely on them to follow the Sens all year long.
How to watch the Ottawa Senators FAQ
How can I watch the Ottawa Senators if I don’t live in Ontario?
If you live outside the Senators’ regional broadcast zone, the easiest way to watch most games is with a Sportsnet+ Premium subscription in Canada. National games also air on Sportsnet, CBC, or Citytv. For fans in the U.S., the go-to service for out-of-market NHL games is ESPN+, with national matchups appearing on ABC, ESPN, and TNT.
Can I stream Senators games without cable?
Yes, you can stream regional Senators games through TSN+ or RDS Direct in Canada. Meanwhile, national matchups are on Sportsnet+ or CBC Gem. In the U.S., an ESPN+ subscription is your key to streaming nearly every out-of-market Senators game.
Why is the Senators game blacked out?
A TV blackout means the Senators game is airing exclusively on another channel in your area. It usually happens for one of three reasons:
- You live in the Senators’ region: The game is on the team’s local channel (TSN5).
- The Senators are playing your local team: The game is on your local team’s regional sports network (e.g., NESN in Boston, MSG in New York).
- You live out-of-market: The game was picked up for an exclusive national broadcast on a channel like TNT (in the U.S.) or Sportsnet (in Canada).
Are the Ottawa Senators a good team?
The Ottawa Senators aren’t just promising anymore—they’re proven. After years of building, the 2024–2025 squad broke through to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing 45–30–7 and just one point behind the eventual back-to-back champion Florida Panthers. That kind of season fuels confidence, and GM Steve Staios has every reason to believe his roster is close to complete. Deadline additions Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund, plus Jordan Spence from the draft, helped spark a 14–5–2 run to close the season—the NHL’s second-best record over that stretch. That locked up the final Eastern Conference wild card spot with ease. So, if last spring was a test drive, this season could be when Ottawa finally takes the wheel—and floors it.
Why you should trust us
This guide comes from the firsthand experience of CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren. As an Ontario-based hockey writer who grew up in Ottawa, he knows the challenges of following a small-market team nestled between Toronto and Montreal.
To create this guide, Ian compared TV and streaming platforms to help fans find the most consistent and affordable ways to follow their team. Before publishing, he carefully reviewed the 2025–2026 NHL broadcast lineup to ensure Sens fans get the most accurate viewing info available.
Our entire team is committed to this level of detail, and you can learn more about our methods on our How We Rank page.
