Viewers on the east coast won't notice a change, even though Oilers fans have to adjust their time.
EDMONTON — Anytime the Toronto Maple Leafs head on the road, the locals take notice.
Even though Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, he couldn't help but notice the local 5 p.m. MT start time for their tilt against Toronto.
"You know, we get the 5 o’clock start time. It’s always nice. They come into our building and we got to change our schedule around, but it is what it is," McDavid said. So, it’s exciting. Always fun to play the Leafs and their big names. They got some special players over there."
With the game being featured on Hockey Night in Canada, generally, Sportsnet likes to have the Leafs play at 7 p.m. ET on Saturdays on a consistent basis for maximum viewership. The same will be true in a week when the Leafs visit the Vancouver Canucks with a 4 p.m. PT local start time.
"Doesn't change anything for us," Maple Leafs forward Max Pacioretty said with a smile, strongly hinting that his internal clock has stayed the same.
"I don't really focus on that too much. It is what it is. That's what TV does," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said with a smile.
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