Chris Cuthbert on CBC and Sportsnet as Canadiens face Hurricanes in NHL Playoffs tonight

Match date: 28 May 2026

Montreal Canadiens v Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs is set for 01:00 UK time on 28 May 2026, with the game carrying major coverage in Canada and the United States. In Canada, the broadcast is on CBC and Sportsnet, with Chris Cuthbert on commentary, Craig Simpson alongside him, and Kyle Bukauskas reporting from rink side. In the US, the game is available on HBO Max, TNT and TruTV, with Liam McHugh presenting, Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk leading the main call, supported by Brian Boucher, while Jackie Redmond is among the reporters. Sports USA Radio also has a separate audio team featuring Rob Brender, John Forslund, Jim Fox and Nick Olczyk. [1]

The matchup arrives with the Hurricanes leading the series 2-1, after their 3-2 overtime win in Game 3 at the Bell Centre on 25 May. Andrei Svechnikov scored the winner at 14:06 of overtime, giving Carolina a second straight extra-time victory and putting Montreal under pressure heading into the next game. [2][4]

For Canadian viewers, the presence of Chris Cuthbert is a familiar selling point. One of the most recognisable voices in hockey broadcasting, he has been a staple of major NHL and Olympic coverage for decades, and his call is closely associated with high-stakes playoff nights. Craig Simpson, a former NHL defenceman and long-time analyst, brings a direct ex-player perspective that has made him one of the most established colour commentators in the sport. Kyle Bukauskas, meanwhile, has become a prominent rink-side reporter through his work across national hockey coverage.

In the United States, Kenny Albert remains one of the most versatile play-by-play broadcasters in North American sport, while Eddie Olczyk has built a strong reputation as a quick, detail-heavy analyst after a long NHL career and years in television. Brian Boucher, a former NHL goaltender, adds another layer of technical insight, especially when discussing special teams, netminding and in-game adjustments. The studio roster is unusually stacked as well: Paul Bissonnette has become one of hockey television’s most visible personalities, Anson Carter is known for sharp studio analysis, Wayne Gretzky remains the game’s most famous ambassador, and Henrik Lundqvist adds Hall of Fame-calibre authority from his playing career. [1]

Liam McHugh continues to anchor the US presentation, a role he has made his own through years of NHL and broader sports studio work. Jackie Redmond, who has become a key face and voice in hockey broadcasting, is among the most recognisable Canadian-born reporters working across the league’s major US TV coverage. On radio, John Forslund is an especially notable name for fans of Carolina, having long been associated with Hurricanes coverage and known for his energetic, descriptive style. Jim Fox brings former-player insight, while Nick Olczyk adds reporting depth from the national radio crew.

The series itself has already delivered a strong mix of momentum swings and overtime tension, which should make this latest meeting especially watchable. Montreal’s 6-2 response in Game 1 showed its ability to start fast, but Carolina’s back-to-back one-goal overtime wins underline why the Hurricanes now hold the edge. [8][4]

For viewers looking for a broader guide to the competition and its structure, the Stanley Cup Playoffs remain the league’s defining event, and this matchup is one of the key Eastern Conference battle lines as the race for the Cup intensifies. [4][1]

Article generated: 28 May 2026, 01:11 GMT