While 2021 is anything but a normal year, there is one constant — Hockey Day in Canada.
Now in its 21st year, the annual celebration of hockey across the country will originate from Toronto because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inclusion and diversity will be the focus, starting with the documentary "Hockey 24: A film by Canada," which "highlights the diversity of the sport and those that play and love the game." The film will air at 12:30 p.m. ET (Sportsnet/SN NOW).
With the Canadian teams sectioned off in their own division this season — and with an odd number of teams in that division — only six clubs will be featured Saturday in the Hockey Day/Night broadcasts. The Oilers are the odd men out and thus will miss out on the festivities.
Here are the matchups:
Who plays on Hockey Day in Canada tonight?
- Ottawa Senators at Winnipeg Jets
- Puck drop: 3 p.m. ET
The Saturday schedule begins with an afternoon start (2 p.m. local time) for the Jets as they host the Sens. Winnipeg blew out Ottawa 5-1 on Thursday, and it's looking to keep pace with the other three Canadian clubs currently in the NHL playoff picture.
- Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs
- Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET
The most storied rivalry in the NHL writes its latest chapter as the rolling Maple Leafs look to put more distance between themselves and the second-place Canadiens.
- Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks
- Puck drop: 10 p.m. ET
The host Canucks are reeling, having lost six consecutive games, while the Flames are on a three-game win streak. The second of four straight meetings between these squads will close out Hockey Day in Canada.
What channel is 'Hockey Day in Canada' on?
- TV channel:
- Ottawa vs. Winnipeg: CBC, Sportsnet
- Toronto vs. Montreal: CBC, Sportsnet, Citytv, Omni
- Calgary vs. Vancouver: CBC, Sportsnet
- Live stream:
- Ottawa vs. Winnipeg: CBC.ca, SN NOW
- Toronto vs. Montreal: CBC.ca, SN NOW
- Calgary vs. Vancouver: CBC.ca, SN NOW
CBC has been the home of "Hockey Night in Canada" since its television inception in 1952.
Since 2014, when Rogers Communications became the primary Canadian rightsholder for the NHL, CBC has been joined by Rogers-owned Sportsnet, CityTV and Omni Television as broadcast networks for "HNIC" games.
Longtime host Ron MacLean will be joined by David Amber and analysts including Kevin Bieksa, Kelly Hrudey, Elliotte Friedman and Cassie Campbell-Pascall.
'Hockey Night in Canada' schedule for February and March 2021
(All times Eastern)
| Feb. 20 | 7 p.m. | Maple Leafs at Canadiens |
| 10 p.m. | Flames at Oilers | |
| Feb. 27 | 7 p.m. | Maple Leafs at Oilers |
| 10 p.m. | Canadiens at Jets | |
| March 6 | 7 p.m. | Maple Leafs at Canucks |
| 10 p.m. | Flames at Oilers | |
| March 13 | 7 p.m. | Jets at Maple Leafs |
| 10 p.m. | Oilers at Canucks | |
| March 20 | 7 p.m. | Canucks at Canadiens |
| 10 p.m. | Jets at Oilers | |
| March 27 | 7 p.m. | Oilers at Maple Leafs |
| 10 p.m. | Jets at Flames |