As one of the most storied franchises in professional sports, the Montreal Canadiens carry a legacy few teams can match. With 24 Stanley Cup banners hanging at the Bell Centre, Habs fans know both the weight of history and the excitement of a new generation trying to live up to it.
After a rebuilding stretch focused on developing young talent like Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský, and captain Nick Suzuki, the Canadiens enter the 2025–2026 NHL season with growing optimism. Montreal also took a big swing this past July by acquiring defenseman Noah Dobson in a blockbuster trade with the New York Islanders.
Following an earlier-than-expected playoff berth in 2025, every game now feels like another step toward a brighter future. Whether you’re in Montreal or cheering from afar, here’s how to tune in all season long.
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What channels have Montreal Canadiens games?
How to watch in the United States
If you’re a Habs fan living south of the border, the best way to watch out-of-market games is with ESPN+. It carries all non-nationally televised NHL matchups through the league’s U.S. streaming partnership.
For games that air nationally on ABC, ESPN, or TNT, you’ll need a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Fubo to complete your setup.
How to watch in Canada
In Quebec and much of Eastern Canada, RDS (French) and TSN2 (English) are your go-to channels for regional Canadiens coverage. RDS holds exclusive Canadian French–language rights, while TSN2 carries select English-language games depending on your location.
For national broadcasts—including Hockey Night in Canada—tune into Sportsnet, CBC, or Citytv, which feature marquee Canadiens matchups throughout the season.
You can stream these games using RDS Direct or TSN+ for regional broadcasts, or Sportsnet+ for national coverage.
Want radio coverage? Tune into TSN 690 AM in Montreal for English-language radio broadcasts and 98.5 FM for French coverage. Both stations also stream online and through mobile apps.
2025 Montreal Canadiens TV schedule
From a trio of Original Six road games in Toronto, Detroit, and Chicago to kick off the season, to marquee matchups against the Bruins and Lightning, the Canadiens’ 2025–2026 schedule is packed with must-watch moments.
Here’s the full Canadiens TV schedule, complete with start times and channel listings.
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Preseason |
|||
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Monday, Sept. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TSN2, RDS, NHL Network |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TSN2, RDS |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Thursday, Sept. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TSN2, RDS |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | RDS/SN |
| At Ottawa Senators | Tuesday, Sept. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | TSN2, RDS |
| Ottawa Senators | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
October |
|||
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Wednesday, Oct. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Detroit Red Wings | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Chicago Blackhawks | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Seattle Kraken | Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Nashville Predators | Thursday, Oct. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Rangers | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Buffalo Sabres | Monday, Oct. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Calgary Flames | Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Edmonton Oilers | Thursday, Oct. 23 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Vancouver Canucks | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Seattle Kraken | Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 10:30 p.m. | TBA |
|
November |
|||
| Ottawa Senators | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New Jersey Devils | Thursday, Nov. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Utah Mammoth | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Los Angeles Kings | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Dallas Stars | Thursday, Nov. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Boston Bruins | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Columbus Blue Jackets | Monday, Nov. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Washington Capitals | Thursday, Nov. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Utah Mammoth | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 9:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Vegas Golden Knights | Friday, Nov. 28 | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Colorado Avalanche | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
December |
|||
| Ottawa Senators | Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Winnipeg Jets | Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| St. Louis Blues | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Thursday, Dec. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Rangers | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Edmonton Oilers | Sunday, Dec. 14 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Thursday, Dec. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Boston Bruins | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Tampa Bay Lightning | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Florida Panthers | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
January |
|||
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At St. Louis Blues | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Dallas Stars | Sunday, Jan. 4 | 2:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Calgary Flames | Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Florida Panthers | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Detroit Red Wings | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Vancouver Canucks | Monday, Jan. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Washington Capitals | Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Ottawa Senators | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Minnesota Wild | Tuesday, Jan. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Buffalo Sabres | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Boston Bruins | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Colorado Avalanche | Thursday, Jan. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
February |
|||
| At Minnesota Wild | Monday, Feb. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Winnipeg Jets | Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Islanders | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Washington Capitals | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
March |
|||
| At San Jose Sharks | Tuesday, March 3 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Anaheim Ducks | Friday, March 6 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Los Angeles Kings | Saturday, March 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Tuesday, March 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Ottawa Senators | Wednesday, March 11 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| San Jose Sharks | Saturday, March 14 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Anaheim Ducks | Sunday, March 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Boston Bruins | Tuesday, March 17 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Detroit Red Wings | Thursday, March 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Islanders | Saturday, March 21 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Tuesday, March 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Thursday, March 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Nashville Predators | Saturday, March 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Sunday, March 29 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Tampa Bay Lightning | Tuesday, March 31 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
April |
|||
| At New York Rangers | Thursday, April 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New Jersey Devils | Saturday, April 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New Jersey Devils | Sunday, April 5 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Florida Panthers | Tuesday, April 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Saturday, April 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Islanders | Sunday, April 12 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Philadelphia Flyers | Tuesday, April 14 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the Montreal Canadiens
The best way to watch the Canadiens depends on where you’re tuning in from. To help you catch every game, I’ve broken down the best TV plans for fans in both Canada and the U.S.
Canadiens coverage in Canada
If you’re in Quebec or other parts of Eastern Canada, you’ll want a provider that includes RDS (for Canadian French–language broadcasts) and TSN2 (for select English-language regional games). Both channels are available through most major cable providers, as well as streaming platforms like RDS Direct or TSN+.
Nationally televised games require access to Sportsnet, CBC, or Citytv. These networks air marquee Canadiens matchups across Canada and are accessible through Sportsnet+, traditional cable, and live TV streaming services like Fubo (in supported regions).
Canadiens channels for American fans
The Canadiens have a passionate fanbase that extends far beyond Canada’s borders. If you’re watching from the U.S., ESPN+ is your go-to for out-of-market Canadiens games. It gives you access to over 1,000 NHL matchups each season—including most regular-season Habs games that aren’t nationally televised.
For games airing exclusively on ABC, ESPN, TNT, or NHL Network, you’ll need a live TV service. I typically recommend DIRECTV for its comprehensive NHL coverage, but Hulu + Live TV is actually the stronger choice for Canadiens fans in the U.S. It’s cheaper and bundles in ESPN+ for all those out-of-market games. The only trade-off is that you won’t get NHL Network, but for following one specific team, it’s a better value.
How to watch the Montreal Canadiens for free
While you won’t be able to watch every Canadiens game for free, a bit of planning can help you stream several matchups at no cost—at least temporarily.
Keep an eye on CBC, which broadcasts select Canadiens games on Hockey Night in Canada. These Saturday night matchups are free to stream live on CBC Gem—no subscription required. CBC is also available for free over the air with a digital antenna if you live near one of its few affiliate stations.
In the U.S., your best bet is to sign up for a free trial with a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV, Fubo, or YouTube TV. These platforms carry national sports channels such as ESPN, ABC, and TNT, which air select Canadiens games throughout the season.
Free trials typically last five to seven days—enough to catch a few key matchups if you time it right. ESPN+ also runs occasional promotions, especially when bundled with Disney+ and Hulu, making it a solid low-cost option for streaming out-of-market games.
How to watch the Montreal Canadiens FAQ
How can I watch the Montreal Canadiens if I don’t live in Quebec?
In the U.S., ESPN+ is your best option for streaming every out-of-market Canadiens regular-season game. In Canada, fans outside of Quebec can catch games on TSN, RDS, or Sportsnet, depending on their region and language preference.
Can I stream Canadiens games without cable?
Yes, Canadian fans can use RDS Direct, TSN+, or Sportsnet+ to stream games online. In the U.S., the best combo is ESPN+ for out-of-market games and a live TV service like Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV for national broadcasts.
What’s the best way to watch every Canadiens game?
You’ll likely need more than one service. In Canada, that means combining RDS or TSN for regional coverage with Sportsnet for national games. U.S. fans should use Hulu + Live TV, which includes ESPN+, to catch every out-of-market and nationally televised matchup.
Why should I watch the Canadiens this season?
The Canadiens are one of hockey’s most iconic franchises—and they're finally turning the corner. With rising stars like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovský, plus the blockbuster addition of Noah Dobson, Montreal is blending its historic legacy with an exciting, fast-paced future. After a surprise playoff run last season, they’re aiming even higher in 2025–2026.
Why you should trust us
As someone who’s covered the NHL for nearly 20 years, I know how tough it can be to keep up with all 32 teams—especially in the streaming era, with regional blackouts and ever-changing platforms. This guide is built on firsthand experience navigating and comparing TV and streaming services to help fans find the most consistent and affordable ways to watch their team.
The Canadiens are going to draw more national attention this season—and honestly, the NHL is just better when Montreal is competitive. Even as a non-fan, I want to know who they’re playing and when. That’s how compelling this team has become. Before publishing, I carefully reviewed the 2025–2026 NHL broadcast lineup to ensure Canadiens fans get the most accurate, up-to-date viewing info available.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
