Get ready for Hockey Day in Canada 2026! From the Maple Leafs and Jets clash in Moncton to Leon Draisaitl’s hunt for his 600th assist, here is everything you need to know about the biggest day in hockey.
Grab your favorite jersey and stock up on snacks, because Hockey Day in Canada 2026 is finally here! This isn’t just another Saturday on the NHL calendar; it is a 12.5-hour marathon celebrating the deep-rooted connection between the sport and the community. Hosted live from Moncton, New Brunswick, this year’s festivities feature all seven Canadian teams in action, serving as the perfect appetizer before the world shifts its focus to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics next month.
Quick Look: Hockey Day in Canada 2026 Schedule
| Game | Time (ET) | TV / Streaming | Key Storyline |
| NY Islanders vs. Calgary Flames | 3:00 PM | CBC, SN, TVAS | Matthew Schaefer chasing Bobby Orr |
| Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Winnipeg Jets | 7:00 PM | CBC, SNO, SNW | Matthews vs. Connor: USA Olympic Preview |
| Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators | 7:00 PM | CITY, SNE, TVAS | Captain Clash: Suzuki vs. Tkachuk |
| Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks | 10:00 PM | CBC, SN, CITY | Draisaitl’s hunt for assist #600 |
Maple Leafs vs. Jets: The Olympic Teammate Tussle
The biggest headline for Hockey Day in Canada 2026 is the cross-conference battle between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Winnipeg Jets. While the points are crucial for the standings—Toronto is sitting at 23-16-8 while Winnipeg looks to climb back from a 19-22-5 record—the subplot is all about Team USA.
Auston Matthews, Kyle Connor, and Connor Hellebuyck are slated to be teammates in Italy next month. However, for 60 minutes tonight at the Canada Life Centre, that friendship is on hold. Matthews remains the focal point for Toronto with 38 points, while Kyle Connor leads the Jets’ attack with an impressive 55 points. If Winnipeg wants to snap their recent skid, they’ll need Hellebuyck to rediscover his Vezina-form against a Toronto offense that is always dangerous.
Leon Draisaitl Eyes a Historic Milestone
Over in Vancouver, the late-night slot for Hockey Day in Canada 2026 features the Edmonton Oilers taking on a struggling Canucks squad. All eyes will be on Leon Draisaitl. The German superstar enters the night just one assist shy of 600 for his career. Reaching this mark would put him in an elite club of Oilers legends alongside Wayne Gretzky, Connor McDavid, and Mark Messier.
While Draisaitl has been an assist machine with 42 helpers this season, the Oilers are desperate for a win after dropping two straight. They’ll be facing a Canucks team that has lost nine in a row and seems to be searching for answers. This matchup is a classic rivalry that always brings the heat, especially during a national broadcast.
Buffalo Sabres and the “Tage Thompson” Show
While the Canadian teams are the focus, you can’t ignore what’s happening south of the border during the Hockey Day in Canada 2026 window. The Buffalo Sabres have become the hottest team in the league, winning 15 of their last 17 games. Leading the charge is Tage Thompson, who recently torched the Canadiens with a five-point night.
Thompson, another future Team USA Olympian, is currently on a six-game point streak. The Sabres look to continue their home dominance against a Minnesota Wild team that is currently reeling from injuries to stars Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek. For Sabres fans, this season finally feels like the breakthrough they’ve been waiting a decade to see.
Rookies and Captains: The Future of the North
In Calgary, the afternoon start for Hockey Day in Canada 2026 features a very special pursuit. New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer has 13 goals on the season. He needs just one more to pass Bobby Orr for the second-most goals by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history. It’s rare to see a teenage blueliner dominate like this, making every Islanders power play a must-watch event.
Meanwhile, the 7:00 PM slot also features a “Captain vs. Captain” duel between Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens and Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators. Tkachuk currently holds the upper hand in their head-to-head career record, but Suzuki—freshly named to Team Canada—leads Montreal with 52 points and is playing some of the best hockey of his life.
Conclusion
Whether you are rooting for the blue and white in Toronto or cheering for the Jets in the “Whiteout” city, Hockey Day in Canada 2026 is a reminder of why we love this game. It’s a day for milestones, rookie records, and a final look at the NHL stars before they depart for the Winter Olympics. As the 26th annual celebration unfolds in Moncton, the energy across the country is undeniable. From the opening faceoff in Calgary to the final whistle in Vancouver, this is hockey at its absolute finest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where is the host city for Hockey Day in Canada 2026?
The 26th annual celebration is being hosted live from Moncton, New Brunswick. The event features festivals, alumni games, and a 12.5-hour broadcast marathon.
2. Which Canadian teams are playing today?
All seven Canadian NHL teams are in action for Hockey Day in Canada 2026: Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks.
3. What milestone is Leon Draisaitl chasing tonight?
Leon Draisaitl is just one assist away from reaching 600 career NHL assists. If he achieves it tonight, he will join Gretzky, McDavid, and Messier as the only Oilers to ever reach that mark.
4. When do the 2026 Winter Olympics begin?
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament in Milano Cortina begins on February 11, 2026. Many stars playing on Hockey Day in Canada 2026 have already been named to their respective national rosters.
5. How can I watch the Hockey Day in Canada 2026 games?
The games are broadcast across the Sportsnet and CBC networks in Canada. The triple-header starts at 3:00 PM ET with the Flames and concludes with the Oilers vs.
