The NHL has officially made a change to Monday’s matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.
According to the league, the matchup has moved its puck-drop time from 4 p.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET in a rare schedule shift made to accommodate the Toronto Blue Jays’ playoff run.
Advertisement
The league announced the change Friday, citing Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre, set for later that evening. The new start time allows fans to catch both events without overlap.
“The Blue Jays’ playoff excitement has captured the entire city, and we want to help make sure fans don’t miss a pitch,” Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment president Keith Pelley said.
The Leafs’ home game at Scotiabank Arena will still air on Amazon Prime in Canada and FDSNDET in the U.S.
Advertisement
Following the final horn, fans attending the game can stay in their seats to watch the Blue Jays game live on the arena’s videoboard — part of what Leafs and Jays fans can consider a Toronto-sports doubleheader.
The move also underscores a rare alignment of two of Toronto’s biggest franchises. The Leafs, off to a mixed start under new head coach Craig Berube, are looking to rebound from an uneven opening week in which they went 1-1-0.
The Red Wings, meanwhile, arrive winless after a disappointing debut but have dominated recent preseason matchups against their Original Six rival.
Advertisement
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) reacts during a stoppage in play.Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
That said, both teams will have a first meeting on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in Detroit, facing each other before they complete their home-and-home two days later.
At the same time, the Blue Jays have become Toronto’s main attraction and major focus after advancing past the New York Yankees to reach their first ALCS since 2022. Depending on National League results, Toronto’s Game 2 first pitch will be either 5:03 or 4:38 p.m. ET — overlapping the original NHL slot.
Advertisement
For a city caught in October’s rare overlap of hockey and baseball schedules, the timing tweak ensures fans won’t have to choose between their teams, allowing them to watch them one after the other.
Related: Maple Leafs Coach Reveals Easton Cowan’s Potential Path Forward
Related: Wayne Gretzky Predicts 2026 Stanley Cup Winner
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.