Alex Ovechkin’s decision to return for a 22nd season appears to have affected how much the Washington Capitals will air on national TV this season.
The Caps will be broadcast on national television 17 different times (AKA: Joe B and Locker-less*), the fifth-most in the NHL, including all four of its games against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The team’s 17 nationally televised games include eight on TNT, four on ESPN, two on ABC, and three streaming exclusively on ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu.
Washington Capitals’ 2026-27 National TV Broadcast Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 7 | vs. PIT | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Oct. 28 | vs. PHI | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Nov. 17 | at TB | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu |
| Dec. 10 | at SEA | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 15 | at DAL | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Jan. 18 | at PIT | 4 p.m. | TNT |
| Feb. 25 | at BOS | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Mar. 7 | at MIN | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Mar. 10 | at CHI | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Mar. 13 | at PIT | 3 p.m. | ABC |
| Mar. 18 | at BUF | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu |
| Mar. 21 | at NYR | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Mar. 23 | vs. DET | 7 p.m. | ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu |
| Mar. 24 | at DET | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Apr. 1 | at PHI | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Apr. 4 | vs. PIT | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Apr. 10 | at PHI | 12:30 p.m. | ABC |
Most notably, three of the Capitals’ final six games of the regular season will be on national television, including their final matchup of the year against the Philadelphia Flyers. The game could mark Ovechkin’s final game of his career if he chooses to hang up his skates at season’s end.
The Capitals are also expected to be much improved over last season after adding four major players over the offseason, including Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, Boone Jenner, and Vincent Descharnais.
In addition to the broadcast schedule reveal, the Capitals also announced 14 time changes from the original schedule.
Washington Capitals’ game time changes
| Date | Opponent | Original Time | New Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 17 | at TB | 7 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 10 | at SEA | 9 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 21 | at TOR | 1 p.m. | 2 p.m. |
| Dec. 26 | vs. CBJ | 7 p.m. | 8 p.m. |
| Jan. 10 | at ANA | 8 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. |
| Mar. 7 | at MIN | 8:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
| Mar. 10 | at CHI | 9:30 p.m. | 8 p.m. |
| Mar. 15 | vs. TB | 1 p.m. | 3 p.m. |
| Mar. 18 | at BUF | 7 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| Mar. 21 | at NYR | 7 p.m. | 8 p.m. |
| Mar. 28 | at TOR | 6 p.m. | 7 p.m. |
| Apr. 1 | at PHI | 7 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| Apr. 6 | at CBJ | 7 p.m. | 7:45 p.m. |
| Apr. 10 | at PHI | 12 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. |
* Several national TV games could also be broadcast locally on Monumental Sports Network. Those details will be announced in the coming weeks.
