As we are in October, that means the NHL season is upon us.
The defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers, will kick the season off at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.
This will be another exciting year for the NHL, especially with the Winter Olympics in February.
However, despite ESPN having a deal with the NHL, Ben McDonald stated on ESPN that he will not be watching.
Ben McDonald Will Not Be Watching When The NHL Season Begins
During the San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs game two of their Wild Card series, ESPN ran a promo for the NHL season kicking off.
During the promo, Ben McDonald said, “There is zero chance I’ll be watching. I’m just gonna be honest with you.” Here is a video of what was said:
"There is zero chance I'll be watching, I'm just gonna be honest with you." – ABC/ESPN MLB analyst Ben McDonald with a ringing endorsement of ESPN's NHL Opening Night coverage. pic.twitter.com/OaWXf68hsy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 1, 2025
Despite ESPN having a $2.8 billion broadcast rights deal with the NHL, Ben McDonald stated he will not be watching during the promo.
Ben McDonald addressed the comments he made.
Ben McDonald addresses the comments he made about the NHL playoffs on yesterday’s Cubs-Padres broadcast pic.twitter.com/IJD6yLtYDT
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) October 2, 2025
Many people did not like the comment McDonald made. John Buccigross posted the following on X:
Zero is also how many postseason innings Ben McDonald pitched in his MLB career. https://t.co/LhynoYjQW9
— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) October 1, 2025
NHL Season Kicks Off With Tripleheader On ESPN
Despite Ben McDonald stating he will not be tuning in for the start of the NHL season, ESPN will broadcast a tripleheader on Tuesday, October 7, when the NHL season begins.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Florida Panthers(-285) (O/U:5.5)
The first game is the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Florida Panthers at 5 PM EST. The Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cup trophies and will kick the season off in a home contest against the Blackhawks. Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2015, the Chicago Blackhawks have won just one playoff series.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers(-210) (O/U:6.0)
The second game is the Pittsburgh Penguins going on the road to face the New York Rangers at 8 PM EST. Pittsburgh has missed the playoffs for three straight years after making the postseason for 16 straight seasons. The Rangers missed the playoffs last season as well.
Colorado Avalance(-110) @ Los Angeles Kings (O/U:5.5)
The third and final game is the Colorado Avalanche going on the road against the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30 PM EST. After winning the Cup in 2022, the Avs have won just one playoff series since. Colorado has made the playoffs in each of the last three years, but has only won one playoff series. Since the LA Kings won the Stanley Cup in 2014, they have not won a playoff series since.
NHL Stanley Cup Odds
The Florida Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cup trophies and are once again favored to do so. Below are the top 10 favorites to win the Stanley Cup, according to oddsmakers.
- 1. Florida Panthers (+750)
- 2. Edmonton Oilers (+800)
- 3. Dallas Stars (+900)
- 4. Carolina Hurricanes (+950)
- 5. Colorado Avalanche (+950)
- 6. Vegas Golden Knights (+950)
- 7. Tampa Bay Lightning (+1200)
- 8. New Jersey Devils (+1400)
- 9. Toronto Maple Leafs (+1700)
- 10. Winnipeg Jets (+1800)
Which Active NHL Teams Have The Longest Playoff Droughts?
It has been a while since certain NHL teams have made the playoffs.
- Buffalo Sabres: 14 seasons
- Detroit Red Wings: 9 seasons
- Anaheim Ducks: 7 seasons
- San Jose Sharks: 6 seasons
The Buffalo Sabres have not made the playoffs since 2011. Their last appearance in the playoffs was against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Despite having a historical track record, the Detroit Red Wings have not made the playoffs since 2016. Their last playoff appearance was against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference first round.
The Anaheim Ducks have not made the playoffs since 2018. Their last appearance in the playoffs was against the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference first round.
The San Jose Sharks have not made the playoffs since 2019. Their last appearance in the playoffs was against the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference finals.
