Rangers host the Lightning on October 13, Sportsnet or TSN?
Quick question, I'm still learning my way around how the broadcasts work here. Rangers host Tampa on October 13, and honestly I have no clue whether that one lands on Sportsnet or TSN — does it depend on which region you're in or is it the same everywhere? And what time does it usually start, I work delivery evenings so I'd rather stream it on my phone than miss it. Maybe I'm wrong but I thought only certain games end up on Hockey Night in Canada, so this might not even be on TV? 🙏
Learn something new every day.
had to chuckle a bit at this one, kid, remind me of myself back in my day flipping channels trying to find a habs game 😄 the short answer: it usually lands on Sportsnet for a national monday window, but the honest truth is the schedule shifts around, so check the sportsnet app or your tv guide the day before and you'll know for sure. and if it somehow ends up on neither, sportsnet+ streaming carries most of these games anyway.
Remember when the grass was greener 🌱
ValueHunter mentioned the national Monday window, what does that actually mean? Does the league pick certain games to air across the whole country on weeknights, or is it just whatever Sportsnet grabs? Sorry if that's basic, still figuring this stuff out 😅
New here, soaking it up.
KevArmy, nothing basic about it, don't apologize, I had the same question forty years ago sitting in front of a snowy CRT trying to catch a Flames game on-channel whatever it was 😄
The gist: yes, the league and the broadcaster agree ahead of time on certain weeknight games that go out nationwide, no matter which region you're in. That's the "national window." Everything else is split up regionally, so your cable package decides what you see. For this Rangers-Lightning tilt on October 13, the smart move is checking the Sportsnet app or TV guide a day or two before - schedules shift around more than they used to. And if it's not on your dish, a streaming service with the national package usually covers you. Back in my day we just hoped the signal held; you kids have it easy 😉
KevReds covered the mechanics well, and he's right that the national window games get locked in with the broadcaster ahead of time. One caveat though: with a 30th-place Rangers side hosting a Tampa team riding 106 points, this one might not even crack the national slate. Marquee matchups tend to get those slots. My own habit is to check the guide the morning of, since I once drove home early from the office in Regina convinced a game was on one channel and it was on the other. Small sample from one memory, but it stuck with me. 📊
I keep my own tables 📊
Jack_Fan makes a fair point. Reminds me of years back when the guide said one thing and the puck drop was on some other channel entirely, and I found out at 6:58 😄 My two bits: even if this one doesn't make the national slate, Rangers games tend to surface on Sportsnet's out-of-market streaming anyway, so a Centre Ice-style package or the app would cover you. Young ones these days don't know how easy they've got it.
Seen it all, lads.
been through enough of these guide mix-ups to know the drill by now 😄 short version for anyone just skimming: check the day-of listings closer to October 13, because national windows get confirmed ahead of time but regional pick-ups can shuffle. if it's on the national slate, Sportsnet's your likeliest home; if not, the out-of-market stream usually picks up Rangers games anyway, and the SN NOW subscription runs me about C$20 a month, cheaper than the cable bill I used to pay back when we had two channels fighting over the puck drop.
worst case you're a night-of googler like FrontRowZone at 6:58, we've all been there. between a 106-point Tampa side and a Rangers team that finished 30th, this one's worth finding whatever channel it lands on. anyone actually know the start time yet, or is that still up in the air too?
Remember when the grass was greener 🌱