NHL games on TV today: Full schedule, times, TV channels, live streams to watch 2026 hockey playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The two-month journey to a Stanley Cup has begun, with the NHL's best teams trying to work their way through the brackets to the best trophy in sports.Only one thing is certain about what's to come in the postseason: The league will have a new champion in 2026. The Florida Panthers missed the playoffs after lifting the Cup the last two years and making the Final the year before that, guaranteeing a changing of the guard this June.The Colorado Avalanche were the class of the league during the regular season, taking the Presidents' Trophy by eight points over the Carolina Hurricanes, and have to be considered the favorites. Contenders abound, though, from the 'Canes to the Buffalo Sabres, back in the playoffs after a 14-year absence.However it shakes out, there will be playoff hockey to watch daily for weeks to come, and it doesn't get much better than that.Here's everything you need to know about when and where to watch today's games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.NHL games on TV todayThursday, May 7MatchupTime (ET)WatchFlyers vs. Hurricanes Game 38 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVSee the upcoming daily schedule below.Where to watch NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2026TV channels:ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, truTVLive streams:DIRECTV,fubo, ESPN appThe Stanley Cup Playoffs will be broadcast across ESPN and TNT Sports platforms, with six different channels being destinations for games. The Stanley Cup Final will be exclusively on ABC.Fans can live stream every game from the Stanley Cup Playoffs onDIRECTV. Games appearing on ESPN networks, including ABC, can also be streamed live onfuboand theESPN app.Catch every game try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Networkall included with DIRECTV.Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.NHL Playoffs daily schedule 2026Friday, May 8MatchupTime (ET)WatchSabres vs. Canadiens Game 27 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVDucks vs. Golden Knights Game 39:30 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVSaturday, May 9MatchupTime (ET)WatchFlyers vs. Panthers Game 46 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVWild vs. Avalanche Game 39 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVSunday, May 10MatchupTime (ET)WatchCanadiens vs. Sabres Game 37 p.m.ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appDucks vs. Golden Knights Game 49:30 p.m.ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appNHL playoffs bracket 2026Click here for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, updated live as series are completed. SN Related LinksLatest NHL news and rumorsFull NHL schedule, scores for 2025-26How to bet on the NHL