Unfortunately, there is a lot of outdated information floating around the internet on how to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but we are going to set the record straight for our readers based on the newest TV deal, which runs through 2028.
In this post I will give you the best options for watching the NHL Playoffs live without cable.
ESPN and TNT will split coverage of the NHL playoffs, with ESPN airing some Finals games on ABC (both ESPN and ABC are owned by Disney).
TNT will even air three Stanley Cup Finals games as part of the new contract, as well as a slate of playoffs games alongside ESPN, which already jumped headfirst into the world of hockey with its extensive out of market NHL regular season coverage on ESPN+.
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There are 4 channels for Stanley Cup playoff action
The four most important channels for NHL playoff games are ABC, ESPN, TNT, and TBS. Because the playoffs shift the NHL from predominately regional to national coverage, the complicated blackout rules and regional sports network contracts fade into the background when playoff time comes.
| DIRECTV STREAM | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV | Fubo | Sling Orange & Blue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| $74.99 / month | $69.99 / month | $72.99 / month | $74.99 / month | $50 / month |
The best live TV streaming options for watching NHL playoff games will need ABC, ESPN, TBS and TNT. Although this may sound like a no-brainer, not every service has these contracts in place. For example, Fubo TV, often listed as a great option for cord cutting sports fans, doesn’t feature any Turner properties. This means no CNN, no TBS, and yes, no TNT.
As I wrote in my piece on the best options for streaming March Madness, Fubo’s lack of Turner properties is starting to jeopardize the platform’s status as a go to for watching sports. Turner has made a major push to become a featured cable channel for major sporting events, and without access to TBS and TNT, it’s hard to be competitive. We saw YouTube TV veer towards losing both ABC and ESPN after prolonged contract disputes with Disney, but the Alphabet owned streaming service was able to right the ship and become, in our view, the overall best option for streaming live sports.
The basic for recommending any live TV streaming service for the Stanley Cup Playoffs are the four core channels that now have the TV rights. Each of our picks listed here has full coverage of the Stanley Cup games you want to see. After the initial bases are covered, we get into the “nitty gritty” of the features that separate each live TV streaming service.
Hulu + Live TV: Our top pick
Hulu + Live TV is the best choice fr live streaming the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Not only does the platform carry all the channels you need to watch the playoffs, through its ESPN+ bundle, which all subscribers get upon signup, you get the old NHL.TV, which has been folded into ESPN+.
If you’re an out-of-market NHL fan, as I am since I watch the Red Wings but don’t live in Detroit, a Hulu + Live TV subscription will get you over 1,000 out of market NHL games after NHL.TV was rolled into ESPN+. This is a regular season feature, but anyone who signs up with Hulu for the playoffs will be covered for the 2023 season as well.
DirectTV Stream: for in-market NHL fans
In addition to featuring all the channels you need to watch the entirety of the NHL playoffs, Hulu, with the ESPN+ bundle, is the best option for watching out of market NHL games during the regular season.
However, if you are an in-market fan, the NHL regular season will still be dominated by your local regional sports network, and DirecTV Stream, while its not our favorite streaming service, does have the most extensive coverage of RSNs and is therefore a good option for many cord cutting sports fans if their first priority is following along with their favorite team during the regular season and the playoffs.
YouTube TV: great interface and features
It’s hard not to love YouTube TV as a sports fan. The platform features truly innovative tools for watching sports, such as Stats View and Key Plays, as well as a sizable library of sporting events broadcast in 4K.
And while you can watch every NHL playoff game through YouTube TV, the platforms I mentioned above do have more comprehensive NHL coverage during the regular season.
However, if you are a hockey fan who tunes in to the playoffs, and not the regular season, I would encourage you to take a look at YouTube TV. There is no better live TV streaming service for NFL and NCAAF games and sports fans also have the option of adding the Sports Plus package for $10.99 per month.
Why we don’t recommend Fubo TV or Sling TV for the NHL Playoffs
In our view, one of the biggest selling points for Sling TV, is the platform’s low cost. And we love Sling. As costs rise for other providers, having a live TV streaming option that is more a la carte and budget friendly is important. However, as much as we enjoy Sling, it’s not the best option for streaming the NHL playoffs if you want complete coverage.
Sling Blue, at $35 per month, does not carry ESPN, Sling Orange does.
Sling Orange offers no local channels, whereas Sling Blue offers Fox and NBC in “select markets only.” This means no ABC without setting up a special antenna, which is a problem for NHL fans.
See also: The complete guide to local channels on Sling TV
Yes, you can bundle Sling Orange + Blue for greater channel options, and yet, when you start reaching that $50 price point, some of the other platforms, with more features, seem like a better value for money. Bundling Sling Orange + Blue still doesn’t get you ABC without an antenna, which is a hassle that defeats the convenience of cord cutting in our view. Why pay and setup an antenna when competitors offer better options at similar price points?
As we covered above, we will be happy to recommend Fubo once they get Turner properties on their platform.
The bottom line
The bottom line for watching the NHL playoffs without cable can be broken down into two basic rules:
- Know what type of NHL fan you are. If regular season games, as well as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, are important then DirecTV or Hulu + Live TV is your best bet depending on whether you are in-market or our of market. If you only tune into the NHL for the playoff action, another platform, like YouTube TV, might be a better long term fit.
- Know your channels. Platforms that don’t carry the channels you need (ABC, ESPN, TBS, TNT) for full coverage of the playoffs should be ruled out.