Rejoice, NHL Viewers: Opening-Night Tripleheader Coming Your Way

The NHL season is due to return next month, and the league and its favorite network are going all out to reward its fervent fan base.

NBC Sports will broadcast the NHL exclusively for the 2020-21 regular season. The fun begins with a Wednesday Night Hockey tripleheader Jan. 13 on NBCSN.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers face off at 5:30 p.m. EST in the first telecast of the season, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks against the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche will then face off at 10:30 p.m. to complete the evening.

Meanwhile, the league also announced that NBC will also showcase a game nearly every week, beginning Sunday, Jan. 17. This is all part of the 56-game schedule the league announced last week.

"While we are well aware of the challenges ahead, as was the case last spring and summer, we are continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our participants and the communities in which we live and play," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. "And, as was the case last spring and summer, I thank the NHLPA, particularly Executive Director Don Fehr, for working cooperatively with us to get our league back on the ice."

NHL ON NBC 2020-21 SCHEDULE
Date, Away, Home

January 17 -- Washington, Pittsburgh
January 24 -- Detroit, Chicago
February 7 -- Philadelphia, Washington
February 14 -- Washington, Pittsburgh
February 20 -- Vegas, Colorado
February 21 -- Philadelphia, Boston
February 28 -- Boston, N.Y. Rangers
March 7 -- Buffalo, N.Y. Islanders
March 28 -- N.Y. Rangers, Washington
April 4 -- Detroit, Tampa Bay
April 17 -- Pittsburgh, Buffalo
April 18 -- Washington, Boston
April 24 -- Colorado, St. Louis
April 25 -- Boston, Pittsburgh
May 2 -- Tampa Bay, Detroit
May 8 -- TBD, TBD