Cue the music, the NHL is back on ESPN!
After a 17-year hiatus, hockey will be hitting the airwaves once again at the worldwide leader. And, unlike the last time the company covered the fastest game on earth way back in 2004, they will also be live streaming the action.
Here's everything you need to know to about hockey's return to ESPN.
How to watch NHL games in 2021-22 on ESPN?
Back in March, the network announced that they acquired the rights for the next seven seasons, with ESPN networks airing 25 exclusive national regular-season games on ABC or ESPN.
MORE: Watch the 2021-22 NHL season on ESPN+
Taking over for NHL.tv, ESPN+ will be streaming more than 1,000 games per season in addition to being the exclusive home of 75 national regular-season games that will be on ESPN+ and Hulu. Be forewarned: blackout rules do apply.
ABC/ESPN will air the All-Star Game and Skills competition for the next seven years. The 2022 All-Star Weekend will be held in Las Vegas on Feb. 4-5. The Olympic break officially starts as soon as the final horn sounds at T-Mobile Arena.
NHL 2021-22: Key dates | Season openers for every team
ESPN will split the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs with Turner sports, with half of the first-round and second-round games being shown on each company's stations. Each network will show a conference final and the 2022 Stanley Cup Final will be on ABC/ESPN. Turner Sports and ESPN will split up the Stanley Cup Finals, with ESPN getting four of the next seven championship series.
NHL 2021-22: Top 10 defensemen | Top 10 goalies | Top 10 forwards | Top 25 under 25
Who are the announcers for NHL on ESPN?
Play-by-play
- Eitán Benezra (ESPN Deportes)
- John Buccigross
- Kenneth Garay (ESPN Deportes)
- Leah Hextall (will also report)
- Steve Levy
- Sean McDonough
- Bob Wischusen
Analysts
- Brian Boucher
- Ryan Callahan
- Cassie Campbell-Pascall
- Chris Chelios
- Rick DiPietro
- Ray Ferraro
- Dave Jackson (rules insight)
- Hilary Knight
- Barry Melrose
- Mark Messier
- AJ Mleczko
- Carlos Rossell (ESPN Deportes)
- Antonio Valle (ESPN Deportes)
Reporters
- Blake Bolden
- Emily Kaplan
- Greg Wyshynski
What are ESPN's NHL studio shows?
"The Point": Hosted by John Buccigross, the show will air Thursdays at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2. During the first week of the NHL season, it will air Tuesday-Friday on ESPN.
“If 'NHL 2Night' had a child it would be 'The Point.' Like any good parent, our goal is to make this hockey kid even better than its parents. Stoked to get going," said Buccigross.
"The Drop": Arda Ocal will host the pregame show available on ESPN's App, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
"In the Crease": Available on ESPN+, the show is hosted by Linda Cohen and Barry Melrose postgame.
What NHL games will be on ESPN in 2021-22?
ESPN will televise games nationally on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the season. On opening night, ESPN will have a doubleheader of games.
At 7:30 p.m. ET, the Lightning will raise their latest Stanley Cup banner and host the Penguins. Sean McDonough will do the play-by-play alongside analyst Ray Ferraro and rinkside reporter Emily Kaplan. Steve Levy will host the studio coverage with analysts Mark Messier, Chris Chelios and Barry Melrose.
In the night capper, the Golden Knights will host the Kraken in their first-ever game at 10 p.m. ET. Play-by-play will be done by John Buccigross with analyst Brian Boucher and rinkside reporter AJ Mleczko. Linda Cohn and Kevin Weekes will be in studio.
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| Tues., Oct. 12 | Penguins at Lightning | 7:30 p.m.* |
| Tues., Oct. 12 | Kraken at Golden Knights | 10 p.m.* |
| Tues., Oct. 19 | Islanders at Blackhawks | 8 p.m. |
| Tues., Oct. 26 | Golden Knights at Avalanche | 8 p.m. |
| Thurs., Jan. 6 | Wild at Bruins | 7 p.m. |
| Thurs., Jan. 13 | Flyers at Bruins | 7 p.m. |
| Thurs., Jan. 20 | Avalanche at Kings | 9:30 p.m. |
| Thurs., Feb. 24 | Capitals at Rangers | 7 p.m. |
| Thurs., March 3 | Bruins at Golden Knights | 9 p.m. |
| Thurs., March 24 | Stars at Hurricanes | 7 p.m. |
| Tues., April 12 | Flyers at Capitals | 7 p.m. |
| Tues., April 12 | Lightning vs. Stars | 9:30 p.m. |
| Thurs., April 14 | Wild at Stars | 8 p.m. |
| Tues., April 19 | Kings at Ducks | 10 p.m. |
| Thurs., April 21 | Maple Leafs at Lightning | 8 p.m. |
| Thurs., April 21 | Blues at Sharks | 10:30 p.m. |
| Tues., April 26 | Islanders at Capitals | 7 p.m. |
| Tues., April 26 | Blues at Avalanche | 9:30 p.m. |
ODDS, SN'S PREDICTIONS: Standings, Stanley Cup | Calder | Vezina | Norris | Hart
What NHL games will be on ABC in 2021-22?
The following games will also be on ESPN+ :
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| Fri., Nov. 26 | Blues at Blackhawks | 1 p.m. |
| Sat., Feb. 26 | Rangers at Penguins | 3 p.m. |
| Sat., March 5 | Blackhawks at Flyers | 3 p.m. |
| Sat., March 12 | Flyers at Hurricanes | 3 p.m. |
| Sat., March 19 | Rangers at Lightning | 8 p.m. |
| Sat., March 26 | Blackhawks at Golden Knights | 3 p.m. |
| Sat., April 2 | Penguins at Avalanche | 3 p.m. |
| Sat., April 9 | Capitals at Penguins | 3 p.m. |
| Sat., April 16 | Wild at Blues | 3 p.m. |
| Sat., April 23 | Rangers at Bruins | 3 p.m. |