The NHL announced several time changes to the schedule, with Toronto having four of their own, including a crucial one against Washington in late March.
On Wednesday afternoon, the NHL announced they had made several changes to the schedule ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 season, with a total of over 80 games having their times switched.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team who didn't see too many changes to their schedule although they did have four games changed, including a late-March game against Washington that could carry playoff implications.
Three December changes hit Toronto during one of its busiest travel stretches
The Maple Leafs had their game on Dec. 17 against the New Jersey Devils changed from 7PM ET to 7:30PM ET, their Dec. 21 game against Washington was moved from 1PM ET to 2PM ET. Their Dec. 22 against Detroit has been pushed up from 7:30PM ET to 7PM ET, and that late-season game once again vs. Washington has been changed from 6PM ET to 7PM ET.
Toronto is also splitting these series evenly with their games against New Jersey and Detroit on the road, meanwhile both games against the Capitals are going to take place at Scotiabank Arena.
The one issue that fans may have is the flurry of games so close to Christmas, as it could make the holidays a bit more expensive, and transportation during the Dec. 21 game could cause issues given that the game ends during the peak of Toronto's rush-hour traffic.
The March 28 Capitals game is the change with the biggest competitive feel
Granted, these time changes aren't so drastic as to prevent people from attending the games, but it is going to affect certain fans who may need to adjust their schedule to make the earlier starts.
Though arguably the biggest game on that list is the Washington Capitals game on Mar. 28. That will be right in the thick of the playoff race, and depending on howe the season goes, the Maple Leafs may be fighting for a chance to extend their season.
It's going to be a game that certainly will have more of a playoff atmosphere than the others, and if the Maple Leafs are riding a hot streak heading into that game, then it's going to create an urgency for fans to get to that game to watch them hopefully continue that push.
It's also a time change that falls more in line with the traditional start times that both Washington and Toronto are used to (7PM ET), and fans aren't going to really need to adjust their schedule too much for the game - in fact the later start may give fans more time to get home from work or school and watch without rushing.
But it certainly is going to be one of the more anticipated games the Maple Leafs' schedule, especially if they are in the thick of the playoff hunt. So fans who want to make sure they see every second of the action, be aware that there have been some changes.
Do you think the Maple Leafs time changes will affect them at all?
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