The Islanders have spent the past few seasons in a difficult middle ground: competitive enough to stay in the playoff race, but not consistent enough to make a lasting run. Last season pushed that tension to an extreme. New York won 43 games yet missed the postseason after a late collapse, while Matthew Schaefer’s rookie year gave the franchise a young cornerstone to build around.
The viewing setup is changing even as the regional home stays familiar. MSG Sportsnet remains the primary local channel, but MSG+ has moved from The Gotham Sports App to DAZN for in-market streaming. ESPN and TNT Sports handle the national exclusives.
With Schaefer entering his second NHL season and Peter DeBoer getting his first full campaign behind the bench, the Islanders have plenty to prove. If you’re looking to watch New York Islanders games, keep reading for the full TV schedule and the best options for local, national, and out-of-market coverage.
What channels have New York Islanders games?
Most local Islanders games air through MSG Networks, with MSG Sportsnet (MSGSN) serving as the primary regional feed. For in-market streaming, MSG+ on DAZN provides access to those regional broadcasts.
Nationally televised matchups will appear on ESPN and TNT this season, with select exclusives also streaming on ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu.
Outside the Islanders’ TV territory, most regional broadcasts are available through NHL Power Play in the ESPN app with ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. NHL Center Ice is another option through participating cable and satellite providers.
Want radio coverage? Every Islanders game airs on WRHU 88.7 FM and 103.9 FM LI News Radio. Fans can also listen through the New York Islanders + UBS Arena app, the NHL app, or SiriusXM.
2026–2027 New York Islanders TV schedule
The Islanders’ expanded 84-game schedule features four matchups against every Metropolitan Division opponent and 13 back-to-back sets. The longest road stretch runs for six games from January 26 through February 12.
The schedule also includes four meetings with the Rangers and a February 15 visit from Utah, marking former captain Anders Lee’s return to UBS Arena. Here’s the complete Islanders schedule with current broadcast information.
NHL - New York Islanders Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | |||
Sunday, Sept. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | NHL Network, MSGSN | |
Tuesday, Sept. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, MSGSN | |
Friday, Sept. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, MSGSN | |
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, MSGSN | |
September | |||
Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
October | |||
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Oct. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Oct. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Tuesday, Oct. 13 | 7:45 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video, MSGSN | |
Thursday, Oct. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
At Dallas Stars | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 6:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Thursday, Oct. 29 | 8:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Oct. 31 | 2:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
November | |||
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Monday, Nov. 9 | 10:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Thursday, Nov. 12 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Nov. 14 | 10:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video, MSGSN | |
Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Thursday, Nov. 19 | 8:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Nov. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Monday, Nov. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Wednesday, Nov. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Friday, Nov. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Nov. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | MSG2 | |
December | |||
Tuesday, Dec. 1 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Thursday, Dec. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Friday, Dec. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Monday, Dec. 7 | 1:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Thursday, Dec. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Friday, Dec. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
At Utah Mammoth | Tuesday, Dec. 15 | 9:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
Wednesday, Dec. 16 | 9:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Friday, Dec. 18 | 10:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Sunday, Dec. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Tuesday, Dec. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Dec. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Sunday, Dec. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Wednesday, Dec. 30 | 4:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
January | |||
Saturday, Jan. 2 | 10:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Tuesday, Jan. 5 | 9:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Thursday, Jan. 7 | 8:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Jan. 9 | 3:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Friday, Jan. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video, MSGSN | |
Saturday, Jan. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Monday, Jan. 18 | 3:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Wednesday, Jan. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Friday, Jan. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Jan. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Tuesday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Thursday, Jan. 28 | 6:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
February | |||
Monday, Feb. 1 | 2:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Wednesday, Feb. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Friday, Feb. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Feb. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Monday, Feb. 15 | 3:00 p.m. | MSG | |
Thursday, Feb. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Saturday, Feb. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Monday, Feb. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Tuesday, Feb. 23 | 8:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Friday, Feb. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, Feb. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
March | |||
Monday, March 1 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Thursday, March 4 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Sunday, March 7 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, March 9 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Friday, March 12 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, March 13 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Monday, March 15 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, March 17 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Saturday, March 20 | 3:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Sunday, March 21 | 3:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Thursday, March 25 | 8:00 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Saturday, March 27 | 7:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Tuesday, March 30 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
April | |||
Thursday, April 1 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Friday, April 2 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Sunday, April 4 | 7:30 p.m. | MSGSN | |
Tuesday, April 6 | 7:30 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Thursday, April 8 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 | |
Saturday, April 10 | 5:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
Best TV plans for watching the New York Islanders
Geography remains the biggest factor when building an Islanders TV setup. Local fans need MSG Networks for most of the schedule, while fans outside the Islanders’ TV territory can rely mainly on NHL Power Play within the ESPN app. Still, some games are exclusive to ESPN and TNT Sports, so neither local nor out-of-market coverage alone gets you every matchup.
DIRECTV can put the full Islanders schedule under one roof for eligible viewers. MSG+ on DAZN is the simpler choice for cord-cutters who mainly need regional games, while ESPN Unlimited makes the most sense for out-of-market fans. Below is a closer look at our top picks to help you find the right combination for your viewing needs.
Best Overall
DIRECTV’s MySports Genre Pack is our Best Overall pick because it can cover the full Islanders schedule when paired with the MyHome Team add-on. MySports includes ESPN, TNT Sports, NHL Network, and ESPN Unlimited for national games and out-of-market access, while MyHome Team adds MSG and MSG Sportsnet in eligible New York-area markets for local coverage.
Regional sports network availability varies by address, so check your zip code before signing up.
Best for Local Streaming
MSG+ on DAZN is the most direct cable-free option for Islanders fans in the team’s regional territory. It streams local Islanders broadcasts and includes the 24/7 MSG and MSG Sportsnet feeds, along with replays and other MSG programming.
Nationally exclusive Islanders games aren’t included, so ESPN and TNT Sports coverage will still require another service.
Best for Out-of-Market Fans
ESPN Unlimited is the simplest all-around choice for Islanders fans outside the team’s TV territory. NHL Power Play carries most out-of-market regional broadcasts, while Unlimited also covers the Islanders’ national ESPN and ESPN+ exclusives. You’ll still need separate access for any TNT exclusives, which you can get with a live TV provider or an HBO Max Standard or Premium plan.
Fans who already get ESPN and TNT elsewhere and mainly need NHL Power Play can choose the lower-tier ESPN Select plan instead of ESPN Unlimited. That’ll get you the same out-of-market coverage, as well as those ESPN+ broadcasts.
How to watch the New York Islanders FAQ
How do out-of-market fans watch Islanders games?
Most regional Islanders broadcasts are available through NHL Power Play in the ESPN app with ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. NHL Center Ice is another option through participating cable and satellite providers.
What happened to The Gotham Sports App?
MSG Networks moved its direct-to-consumer streaming service to DAZN, with MSG+ now available through the DAZN platform. For Islanders fans in the local market, that's now the simplest standalone way to stream MSG Sportsnet without a traditional cable or live TV package.
Can I watch the New York Islanders in Canada?
Yes, Sportsnet+ Premium is the main streaming option for out-of-market Islanders games in Canada — subject to national broadcast restrictions. Select national games may instead air through Sportsnet or stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren has covered the NHL for nearly two decades and has followed the Islanders through several distinct eras. He’s also an unapologetic admirer of the team’s infamous 1990s “fisherman” jerseys, a look that went from punchline to beloved throwback right alongside the franchise’s many twists and turns.
For this guide, Ian compared the Islanders’ local viewing setup with the national and out-of-market options available to fans beyond Long Island. He also checked blackout rules and provider availability so readers know which options work in market and out of market. CableTV.com revisits these pages as viewing options and provider access change. Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
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.
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.
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.
