It is Wednesday night, and if you are a hockey fan, you know exactly what that means. The middle of the week belongs to the national broadcasts. We aren't just looking at local regional sports networks (RSNs) tonight; we are looking at a heavy-hitting TNT doubleheader that features some serious divisional drama.
Honestly, finding the right channel has become a bit of a headache lately. Between the jump to streaming and the various cable tiers, it’s easy to miss puck drop while scrolling through a guide. If you're wondering what channel is tonight nhl game on, the short answer is TNT. But it's actually a bit more layered than that depending on where you live and what team you follow.
The Big National Doubleheader on TNT
Tonight, January 14, 2026, the NHL schedule is anchored by a massive twin-bill on TNT. This isn't just a cable broadcast; you're also going to find these games streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max) and potentially truTV if they are doing a localized or alternate feed.
Game 1: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- National Channel: TNT, truTV
- Streaming: Max, TNT App
This is a classic Eastern Conference battle. The Sabres have been trying to prove they belong in the playoff conversation for what feels like a decade, and Tage Thompson remains one of the most terrifying players to face on a power play. Philadelphia, under the ever-intense guidance of John Tortorella, is always a wild card. Expect a physical game here.
Game 2: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings
- Time: 10:00 PM ET
- National Channel: TNT, truTV
- Streaming: Max, TNT App
If you are a night owl or on the West Coast, this is the one. Vegas is visiting the Crypto.com Arena. The storyline here? Mark Stone is on the verge of hitting some career milestones, and the Kings are currently trying to navigate a roster missing some key veteran pieces like Anze Kopitar, who has been dealing with an upper-body injury.
What About the Other Games?
Not every game tonight is on national TV. There are a couple of other matchups happening that require you to look at your local listings or fire up ESPN+.
- Seattle Kraken at New Jersey Devils (7:00 PM ET): This one is mostly a regional affair. If you're in the Newark area, you're looking at MSGSN. For the Kraken fans out west, check your local Root Sports or KHN/KONG listings. For everyone else in the U.S. "out-of-market," this game is streaming on ESPN+.
- Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers (7:30 PM ET): Another MSG Network special for the New Yorkers. The Senators' broadcast will be on TSN5 in Canada. If you're in a neutral territory like Chicago or Florida, your only way to see the Breadman (Artemi Panarin) tonight is through the ESPN+ Power Play package.
Sorting Out the Streaming Mess
I get it. You have a smart TV and six different apps, but you just want the game.
If the game is on TNT, you can't watch it on ESPN+. That’s the golden rule of NHL broadcasting. TNT owns the exclusive rights to their Wednesday night window. This means if you have a "streaming only" setup with just ESPN+, you are going to be blacked out of the Flyers/Sabres and Golden Knights/Kings games.
To catch the TNT games without a cable box, you need:
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- Max (with the B/R Sports Add-on): This is the easiest way for cord-cutters.
- Sling TV (Orange Tier): Includes TNT.
- YouTube TV or Fubo: Both carry TNT and usually the local RSNs for the home markets.
Regional Blackouts Explained (Simply)
People hate blackouts. They are the bane of the modern sports fan. Basically, if you live in Philadelphia, you cannot watch the Flyers on ESPN+ tonight because the local broadcast rights belong to the regional network (NBC Sports Philadelphia) and the national exclusive (TNT).
If you're wondering what channel is tonight nhl game on for the Devils or Kraken, and you live in those cities, stick to your local cable sports channel. If you live anywhere else, ESPN+ is your best friend.
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Why Tonight Matters
The 2025-26 season is moving into that mid-January grind. Teams are starting to look at the standings and realizing that the "it's still early" excuse has expired. Vegas is currently jockeying for top seed positioning in the West, while the Kings are desperate to keep their heads above water while dealing with a flurry of injuries.
In the East, the Sabres are at a crossroads. Every game against a divisional or conference rival like the Flyers feels like a four-point swing.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight
- Check your local RSN: If you're a Devils, Kraken, Rangers, or Senators fan, see if your local MSG or Root Sports channel is active.
- Update your Max App: If you plan on streaming the TNT doubleheader, make sure your B/R Sports add-on is active before the 7:30 PM puck drop.
- Sync your fantasy roster: With late-breaking news on players like Carter Hart or Adin Hill (both recently dealing with lower-body issues), check the starting goalie confirmations on sites like Daily Faceoff about 30 minutes before the first game.
The puck drops soon. Whether you're watching on the big screen via TNT or huddled over a tablet with ESPN+, tonight's slate has enough star power to make the Wednesday night "Frozen Frenzy" feel like a playoff preview.