We’ve already seen seven goals in one competitive game, a five-goal opening weekend from one of the league’s hottest young scorers and a Hershey playmaker who seems to have forgotten that assists are supposed to be difficult.
2026-27 American Hockey League (AHL) the season is barely underway, but the drama is already coming in bunches.
From a revenge mission in upstate New York to Abbotsford’s home opener against a red-hot Coachella Valley offense, five matchups stand out on FloHockey’s Oct. 16-18 schedule. Here’s where the teams are, the players making the noise, and why these games deserve a place on your weekend watchlist.
What are the 5 AHL games to watch this weekend?
Here are five AHL games to watch on FloHockey for the weekend of October 16-18, 2026. All times are Eastern.
Friday, October 16
Saturday, October 17
The team records and division standings below reflect the early season standings as of Oct. 13.
Laval Rocket vs. Belleville Senators
Friday, October 16 | 19:00 ET
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Laval. 3-1-0-0, second in North Division
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Belleville. 2-2-0-0, sixth in Division North
It Laval rocket wasted little time in making their presence felt in the North Division, but the trip to Belleville represents another test of their early momentum.
Reilly Walsh has four points in two games and Sasha Pastuyov has two goals and an assist. Belleville Reverses Javier Burgo, who scored the game-winning goal with 25 seconds left in a 3-2 comeback win over Syracuse on Oct. 10.
In that victory, Kasper Haltunen also scored his first goal for the Senators.
With both clubs looking to establish themselves in the competitive Northern Division, there is plenty to play for in this early Canadian showdown.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Cleveland Monsters
Friday, October 16 | 19:00 ET
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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. 2-1-1-0 in third place in the Atlantic Division
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Cleveland: 3-1-0-0, fourth in Division North
It Cleveland Monsters are they getting hot? Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins arrive with large amounts of firepower of their own.
Cleveland has won three straight, including a 5-2 victory over Lehigh Valley on Sunday. Luca Pinelli found the net, Josh Eernis had a goal and an assist and goaltender Evan Gardner stopped 24 shots.
The Penguins answered their own early season challenges with a 6-2 win over Providence, with goals from Tristan Brose and Phil Kemp.
Cleveland has scored 17 goals in four games while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has allowed just nine goals. Something has to give when these Eastern Conference rivals meet.
Rochester Americans vs. Syracuse Crunch
Saturday, October 17 | 5 p.m. ET
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Rochester. 2-1-0-1, fifth in Division North
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Syracuse. 1-3-0-0, eighth in Division North
Seven to one.
That’s the bill Syracuse has had to live ever since Rochester dismantled by Crunch on October 9th.
Now the Americans are coming to Syracuse, and the Crunch have a chance to return the favor.
Rochester senior Matthew Peca has a point in each of the Americans’ first four games, while goaltender Matt Villalta has a 1.48 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage through four games.
Syracuse struggled out of the gate, but Nick Abruzzese already has two goals and Mads Sogaard made 27 saves against Laval earlier this season.
For the Crunch team sitting at the bottom of the North Division, Saturday is a chance to change the early narrative.
Providence Bruins vs. Hershey Bears
Saturday, October 17 | 6 p.m. ET
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Providence. 1-4-0-0, sixth in Atlantic Division
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Hershey: 3-1-0-0 for first in the Atlantic Division
last season Providence It was the class of the Eastern Conference, finishing with 54 wins and 110 points.
This season. The Bruins stumbled to a 1-4 start.
It Hershey BearsMeanwhile, have climbed to the top of the Atlantic Division behind an impressive opening stretch from Andrew Crystal.
The Washington Capitals player has eight assists in four games, including three in Hershey’s 6-1 win over Texas on Sunday. Johnny Brodzinski scored twice in that win.
Providence has its own offensive talent. Michael Easimont had a hat trick in a 6-2 win over Charlotte, showing what the Bruins can produce when things click.
Can Providence recapture last season’s form, or will Hershey continue its momentum across the Atlantic?
Coachella Valley Firebirds vs. Abbotsford Canucks
Saturday, October 17 | 10 p.m. ET
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Coachella Valley. 2-0-2-0 for third in the Pacific Division
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Abbotsford. 1-2-1-0 for eighth in the Pacific Division
Abbotsford finally gets his home opener Saturday.
Unfortunately for the Canucks, Gianni Nyman is coming to town.
It Coachella Valley the forward scored five goals in the Firebirds’ first two games and earned AHL Player of the Week honors. Teammates Jager Firkus and Tyson Jugnaut also had six points apiece on the opening weekend.
Coachella Valley enters the game undefeated in the regular season through four games, while Abbotsford is still searching for consistency.
The Canucks have some exciting young talent, including Braden Couts and Riley Patterson, along with captain Chase Waters.
The question is whether Abbotsford’s home crowd can help slow down one of the league’s hottest early-season offenses.
Where can I watch AHL games this weekend?
All five featured AHL games are available to stream live on FloHockey the weekend of October 16-18.
Fans can watch via FloHockey.tv or the FloSports app on supported mobile and connected TV devices.
Visit FloHockey AHL Schedule for additional matchups, jump times and streaming information.
Can I watch AHL games on demand?
Yes! FloHockey subscribers can watch replays of AHL games on demand after the live broadcast.
The platform also offers game highlights, player stats, rankings and coverage of NHL prospects throughout the season.
How to watch AHL hockey on FloHockey in 2026-27
FloHockey is the streaming home of the American Hockey League through the 2026-27 season, including the regular season and Calder Cup Playoffs.
Fans can sign up for FloHockey watch AHL games live and on demand.
NHL Prospects Coverage on FloHockey
Follow the next generation of NHL players with FloHockey prospect guides, rankings, analysis and coverage from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
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