Wednesday night in the NHL usually means one thing: national TV doubleheaders and teams grinding through the "dog days" of January. Honestly, though? Tonight feels a bit different. We aren't just looking at random mid-season matchups; we're seeing the fallout of a chaotic week of trades and a goalie carousel that hasn't stopped spinning.
If you’re looking for tonight's nhl games on tv, you’ve basically got a split screen of national broadcasts and regional battles that actually carry some massive playoff implications, even this early in 2026.
The National Spotlight: TNT’s Doubleheader
TNT is handling the heavy lifting for the national audience tonight. They've got a doubleheader that starts in Western New York and ends under the bright lights of Los Angeles.
Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres (7:30 PM ET)
Buffalo is a weird team right now. Lindy Ruff has them playing a much more "mature" game—that's the word Tage Thompson used earlier today—but they just lost Josh Dunne to an undisclosed injury that's going to sideline him for over a month. No surgery, thankfully, but it thins out their bottom six.
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The Flyers? They’re just... the Flyers. They’ll outwork you, but can they outscore a Sabres team that is suddenly eyeing an Olympic-year surge? You can catch this one on TNT, Max, and truTV.
Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings (10:00 PM ET)
This is the big one. If you’re staying up late, this is why.
Mitch Marner in a Golden Knights jersey still looks "wrong" to a lot of people, but he’s been the spark plug they needed. Vegas is visiting a Kings team that is notoriously stingy at home. This isn't just a Pacific Division rivalry; it’s a legitimate preview of a potential first-round playoff series. Mark Stone is on the verge of some elite company tonight too—keep an eye on his point totals.
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The "Under the Radar" Regional Games
Just because it isn't on TNT doesn't mean it isn't worth your time.
Seattle Kraken at New Jersey Devils (7:00 PM ET): Jack Hughes is doing Jack Hughes things again. He’s leading the Devils in points and looks completely healthy, which is terrifying for the rest of the Metro. Seattle is trying to keep their head above water, relying heavily on Matty Beniers to find the back of the net. This one is on MSGSN for the locals and ESPN+ for everyone else.
Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers (7:30 PM ET): The Rangers are hosting this at MSG, and it’s a back-to-back for the Sens. Ottawa just added veteran James Reimer to the active roster today. It's wild to see Reimer still grinding at this stage, but with the Sens’ goaltending being a question mark, he might actually see some ice. The Rangers are favorites here, but Ottawa just beat Vancouver last night, so don't count out a "trap game" scenario.
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What Most People Get Wrong About January Hockey
A lot of casual fans think January is when players "coast." That's a myth.
Actually, this is when the standings start to harden like concrete. According to historical NHL data, roughly 75% of teams in a playoff spot by mid-January end up making the dance in April. For a team like the Flyers or the Kraken, tonight isn't just "game 40-something." It’s a survival test.
Injury Reports You Should Care About
- Connor Bedard: He's back. He missed the Edmonton game with a bug, but he was on the ice this morning. If you're a hockey fan, you're watching him regardless of the logo on his chest.
- The Jets' Blueline: Winnipeg is hurting. Neal Pionk is week-to-week, and they’ve had to recall kids like Elias Salomonsson from the AHL. They aren't playing tonight, but their struggle impacts the Western Conference power dynamic that Vegas and LA are fighting over.
- Ilya Sorokin: He's finally expected back for the Islanders soon, which changes the math for the entire Metropolitan Division.
How to Watch: A Quick Guide
If you're scrambling for the right channel, here's the lowdown for tonight's nhl games on tv:
- TNT / Max / truTV: Flyers vs. Sabres & Golden Knights vs. Kings.
- ESPN+ / NHL Power Play: This is your best friend for out-of-market games like Kraken/Devils.
- Regional Networks: MSG (New York), MSGSN (New Jersey), KHN/Prime (Seattle).
Practical Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to watch, check your local listings around 6:30 PM ET. Lineup changes usually trickle out right after warmups. If you're a betting person, pay attention to the Ottawa/Rangers line—the Sens playing their second game in 24 hours with a new goalie (Reimer) makes that over/under very tempting.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire too. With all these defensive injuries in Winnipeg and Buffalo, we might see some minor trades before the night is over. Be sure to sync your DVR if you're on the East Coast and want to see the end of that Vegas/LA game; those Pacific matchups almost always run past midnight.