So you're looking for the game. Honestly, if you're a Panthers fan right now, you’re probably still nursing a bit of a headache after that 9-1 blowout against Carolina last night. That was rough. But the NHL schedule waits for no one, and the Cats are right back at it tonight, January 17, 2026, heading into D.C. to face the Washington Capitals.
The big question: what channel is the panthers game today? Basically, if you’re trying to find this on your standard cable package, you might be out of luck depending on where you live. This isn't a national TNT or ABC broadcast. For most of us, this is an ESPN+ exclusive or a regional Scripps Sports broadcast.
The Quick Breakdown for Tonight
If you just want the fast facts so you can get the beer ready:
- Who: Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals
- When: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Puck Drop: 7:00 PM ET
- Primary Stream: ESPN+
- Local TV (Florida): Scripps Sports (WSFL-TV in Miami/Fort Lauderdale)
- Local TV (D.C.): Monumental Sports Network (MNMT)
Why the "Panthers" Search Can Be Tricky Today
Here is what most people get wrong. When you search for "the Panthers game," half the world is looking for the NHL’s Florida Panthers, and the other half is looking for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.
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If you were looking for Bryce Young and the Carolina crew—well, their season ended exactly one week ago. They put up a hell of a fight in the Wild Card round on January 10, but ultimately fell 34-31 to the Rams. So, if you're a football fan, there is no game today. It’s all about hockey tonight.
How to Actually Watch Without the Blackout Headache
The NHL’s TV rights are, frankly, a mess. You've probably realized that by now.
If you are living in the Miami-Dade or Broward area, you should be able to pick this up on your local Scripps Sports affiliate. They took over the local rights after the whole Bally Sports bankruptcy saga, and it's been a bit of a transition for some fans. You can often get these games over-the-air with a simple digital antenna, which is kind of a throwback but actually works great.
Out-of-market? That’s where ESPN+ comes in.
It’s the home for almost every out-of-market NHL game this season. However, if you live in the Washington D.C. area, ESPN+ will likely black you out because the game is being carried locally by Monumental Sports Network. In that case, you’d need a cable login or a live TV streamer like FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV that carries MNMT.
What’s at Stake in D.C.?
The Panthers are sitting at 24-22-3. They are currently 7th in the Atlantic Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference. Not exactly where the defending 2024 champs wanted to be mid-January.
The Capitals are right there in the mix, too. They’re 10th in the East with a 24-18-6 record. This is a massive "four-point game" for the playoff bubble.
Keep an eye on the goaltending. Sergei Bobrovsky has been a workhorse, but after giving up a bunch of goals to the Hurricanes yesterday, we might see Daniil Tarasov get the nod. On the other side, Logan Thompson has been solid for the Caps.
Also, watch the veterans. Brad Marchand (who is somehow a Panther now in 2026, still feels weird) and Sam Reinhart are the engines of this offense. They need a bounce-back game. Big time.
A Quick Note on the "Other" Panthers
Since people always ask:
- Carolina Panthers (NFL): Season over. They won the NFC South but lost in the playoffs. No game today.
- Florida Panthers (NHL): Playing the Capitals at 7 PM ET. This is the one you’re likely looking for.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to ensure you don't miss the opening faceoff, do this right now:
Check your ESPN+ subscription status. If you're out-of-market, this is your only real digital path. If you're in South Florida, scan your local channels for the Scripps Sports broadcast (Channel 39 in Miami).
If you're planning to stream via a VPN to get around blackouts—not that I'm officially recommending that—make sure your server is set to a city far away from both South Florida and D.C. Otherwise, you’ll just see that annoying "This content is not available in your area" screen.
Get the game pulled up by 6:45 PM. The pre-game shows on Scripps usually have some decent insight into the line changes, especially since the team is playing the second half of a back-to-back.