NHL on Prime 'Wednesday Night Hockey' schedule begins with Islanders-Maple Leafs on Sept. 30

Matthew Schaefer and Gavin McKenna could go head-to-head in the opening game of the NHL on Prime "Wednesday Night Hockey" schedule for the 2026-27 regular season.

McKenna was the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Schaefer was the No. 1 pick by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft. It'll be the season opener for the Islanders and the second game for the Maple Leafs when they play at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sept. 30 (7 p.m. ET).

The loaded Prime schedule, which is available exclusively in Canada, includes 27 regular-season games as part of "Wednesday Night Hockey" plus select Stanley Cup Playoff series, available at no extra cost to Canadian Prime subscribers. All games will be available in English and French.

McKenna, 18, who played at Penn State University last season, is expected to make the Maple Leafs' roster out of camp. Schaeffer, who will turn 19 on Sept. 5, won the Calder Trophy last season at the NHL rookie of the year. 

The Maple Leafs will play six games on Prime, also including matchups against their Original Six foes, the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins as well as their annual St. Patrick's Day game against their Atlantic Division rivals Tampa Bay Lightning.

Cole Caufield and the Montreal Canadiens will play seven times on Prime, the first matchup coming when they visit Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Oct. 14.

The Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames will each play four times on Prime. One of the Senators' games include former captain Brady Tkachuk's return to Ottawa with the Florida Panthers on Oct. 21. He was traded to Florida on June 21 after playing his first eight NHL seasons with the Senators. 

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers will appear three times, including when they host the Flames in the Battle of Alberta on Oct. 28.

New coach Manny Malhotra will lead the Vancouver Canucks on Prime twice, at the Red Wings on Nov. 25 and at the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 16.

Prime Video is the exclusive long-term home of regular-season "Wednesday Night Hockey" in Canada beginning this season and continuing through the 2037-38 season. Prime Video will also exclusively hosts select Stanley Cup Playoff series in Canada, including two First Round playoff series and one Second Round series per year.