Ron MacLean, Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa return as Sportsnet expands national NHL lineup

Sportsnet says it is lifting 150 regional blackouts and expanding its national NHL coverage for the coming season, promising more than 550 games and a 35 per cent increase in national broadcasts from last season.

Ron MacLean will anchor the new Saturday Night Hockey, which debuts Oct. 3 with Elliotte Friedman, Kevin Bieksa and Colby Armstrong. The weekly doubleheader will include at least one Canadian team in every matchup.

Monday Night Hockey returns Oct. 5 as a Sportsnet+ streaming exclusive, hosted by David Amber with analysts Luke Gazdic and Justin Williams. Sportsnet+ subscribers have access through their package, while television subscribers can upgrade for $12.99 a month beginning Sept. 15.

National coverage starts Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. Eastern with Montreal Canadiens versus Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks versus Edmonton Oilers. Sportsnet will also air the Heritage Classic on Oct. 25, Winter Classic on Dec. 31, All-Star Weekend on Feb. 5 and 6, Stadium Series on Feb. 20, and the full Stanley Cup Playoffs except for three early-round series on Prime Video.