Washington Capitals to play two Monday lunch-hour games this season as NHL expands international reach
The Washington Capitals are adjusting to a fresh schedule shift. The NHL introduced Monday matinee games to reach fans overseas. These start times align with evening hours in Europe and Russia. This move brings hockey to international audiences during their local primetime.
For the upcoming 2026-27 season, the Capitals will play two games with a 1:00 p.m. ET start. The first is an away game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 21. The second is a home matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 15. The team also plays a 4:00 p.m. ET game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
These 1:00 p.m. ET starts mean local fans in Sweden face a 7:00 p.m. local puck drop. In Moscow, the games begin at 9:00 p.m. The NHL scheduled ten such Monday games across the league this year. Officials state this initiative aims to grow the brand and deepen connections with markets outside of North America. They view these times as a way to capitalize on gaps in international sports programming, specifically noting the absence of Monday night soccer in Germany.
Local fans will notice the impact of these afternoon starts. Attending a home game at 1:00 p.m. on a Monday presents challenges for those with work or school commitments. The NHL sees these matchups as an opportunity for clubs to offer unique experiences despite the scheduling trade-offs for local supporters.
International outreach remains a priority for the league this season. Beyond these broadcast adjustments, the NHL is hosting the Global Series. This includes games in Finland featuring the Hurricanes and Kraken, as well as matches in Germany between the Blackhawks and the Senators.