NHL Games Today: Full Schedule, Start Times, and Matchups
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Here are the NHL games today, featuring a full schedule of matchups, start times, and key storylines across the league. With playoff positioning heating up, every game on the schedule matters. Here’s everything you need for today’s NHL action.
Updated: April 14, 2026 – 8:30 AM ET NHL Games Today Overview Total games: 9 (full NHL schedule today) Featured matchup: Capitals vs Blue Jackets Top playoff impact games: Canadiens vs Flyers, Ducks vs Wild TV coverage: ESPN, ESPN+ Top NHL Games to Watch Today These matchups carry the biggest playoff implications and star power. Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets – 7:00 PM ET (ESPN) Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t fight fighting for a playoff spot; however, this could be the final game of Alex Ovechkin ‘s legendary NHL career. Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers – 7:00 PM ET (ESPN+) The Montreal Canadiens are looking for home ice over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers hopes for the same over the Pittsburgh Penguins . Anaheim Ducks vs Minnesota Wild – 8:00 PM ET (TNT) The Anaheim Ducks are pushing to win the Pacific Division with two games remaining. As for the Minnesota Wild , they look to enter the playoffs healthy with the Dallas Stars waiting.
Full NHL Schedule Today New Jersey Devils vs Boston Bruins – 7:00 PM ET (ESPN+) Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders – 7:00 PM ET (ESPN+) Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers – 7:00 PM ET (ESPN+) Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets – 7:00 PM ET (ESPN) Anaheim Ducks vs Minnesota Wild – 8:00 PM ET (TNT) Winnipeg Jets vs Utah Mammoth – 9:00 PM ET (ESPN+) Colorado Avalanche vs Calgary Flames – 9:00 PM ET (ESPN+) Pittsburgh Penguins vs St. Louis Blues – 9:30 PM ET (ESPN) Los Angeles Kings vs Seattle Kraken – 10:00 PM ET (ESPN+) Players to Watch Tonight Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights for a hat trick during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas.
(AP Photo/John Locher) Ovechkin could be entering his final NHL game and hopes to give Washington one more goal during the 2025-26 regular season. Porter Martone – Philadelphia Flyers Porter Martone continues his elite offensive form as Philadelphia fights for seeding against Pittsburgh. Cutter Gauthier – Anaheim Ducks Cutter Gauthier leads Anaheim’s offensive attack in a pivotal matchup for the Pacific Division title.