The New Year kicks off with a classic all-Canadian matchup as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Winnipeg Jets at Scotiabank Arena this evening. With both teams looking to set the tone for the second half of the 2025-26 season, this Thursday, January 1, 2026 clash promises high energy and playoff-level intensity.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to catch the action live, including TV channels for fans in Canada and the USA, streaming options, and a breakdown of what to expect on the ice.
Game Overview and TV Schedule
If you are wondering how to watch the Winnipeg Jets at Toronto Maple Leafs game on TV, here are the details for tonight’s broadcast:
- Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM EST (6:00 PM CST)
- Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
TV Channels:
- Canada: The game will be broadcast regionally. In the Toronto region, you can watch on Sportsnet Ontario. For viewers in the Winnipeg Jets region (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, NW Ontario), the game is available on TSN3.
- USA: American hockey fans can catch the game nationally on the NHL Network.
Streaming Options:
- Canada: Stream live via Sportsnet+ (formerly SN Now) if you are in the Leafs’ region or subscribed to the premium tier. Jets fans in their home region can stream via the TSN App or TSN.ca.
- USA: Streaming is available via ESPN+ (subject to blackout restrictions if the game is on NHL Network in your area) or through live TV services that carry the NHL Network, such as FuboTV or Sling TV.
Team Records and Season Insight (2025-26)
Heading into tonight’s game, the stakes are significant for both clubs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs currently hold a record of 18-15-6 (42 points). They are coming off a morale-boosting 4-0 victory against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Despite a rollercoaster season, the Leafs showed defensive resilience in their last outing—a trait they will need to replicate tonight.
The Winnipeg Jets enter the contest with a record of 15-19-4 (34 points). Their last game was a tough 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, continuing a challenging stretch for the club. They are desperate for points to climb back into the Central Division playoff conversation.
Leading Scorers (2025-26 Season):
- Toronto Maple Leafs: William Nylander continues to dazzle, leading the team with 41 points (11 goals, 30 assists). Auston Matthews and John Tavares share the goal-scoring lead with 15 goals apiece.
- Winnipeg Jets: The offense is powered by Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, who are tied for the team lead with 45 points each. Their chemistry remains the Jets’ most dangerous weapon.
Key Injuries: The injury bug has bitten both teams hard.
- Toronto: The Leafs are without defenseman Chris Tanev (groin) and forward Dakota Joshua (kidney). Goaltender Anthony Stolarz is also out. There is hope that Auston Matthews (lower body) may return to the lineup tonight after skating this morning, but he remains a game-time decision.
- Winnipeg: The Jets have a massive hole in the crease with star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck listed as out/day-to-day with a knee issue. Defenseman Haydn Fleury (concussion) also remains on IR.
Prediction & Betting Odds: The betting lines have Toronto at -148, with the Over/Under set at 5.5. My personal insight: Betting against the Leafs when they are missing key pieces like Tanev usually makes sense, but the Jets are reeling without Hellebuyck. If Matthews plays, the Leafs’ firepower should be too much. However, even if he sits, the Leafs’ depth stepped up massively against New Jersey.
I predict a 4-2 Toronto victory, covering the spread and hitting the Over.
NHL Standings and Finding the Game Today
If you are scrambling to find the Winnipeg Jets on TV today, remember that outside of the designated TSN3 region, you may need the NHL Centre Ice package or Sportsnet+ Premium to watch the game in Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs TV schedule remains heavy on Sportsnet Ontario for the next few weeks, so local fans should keep their subscriptions active.
Looking at the broader league picture, the NHL point leaders for the 2025-26 season are putting up video-game numbers. Connor McDavid currently leads the pack with 69 points, followed closely by Nathan MacKinnon at 66 points. While Nylander and Scheifele are having great years, they are chasing historic paces set by the league’s elite.
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