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Hockey season may be coming to an end, but the NHL playoffs have just begun. The first round begins this weekend. Keep reading to find out how to watch the NHL playoffs and when your favorite teams will play in the tournament.
The playoffs begin Saturday with a game between the Islanders and Hurricanes, followed by a game between the Maple Leafs and Bruins. Currently, the Panthers lead the Atlantic Division and the Rangers lead the Metropolitan League. Both teams will be on the ice on Sunday. The first round will take place from his best of seven matches, so this part of the tournament will take him until at least the end of April, if not the beginning of May.
If you're a cord cutter who still wants to go live, we've got you covered. We recommend some useful live TV packages as a streaming alternative to cable, and tell you which channels each game is streaming on.
How to watch NHL Playoffs in America
The NHL playoffs will be broadcast on ESPN and the Turner Network family of channels. That means you'll need access to ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, and truTV to watch every game of the tournament. If you don't have cable, you'll need to try a live TV package like Sling TV or Hulu + Live TV to access all the games.
For Sling TV, you'll need a Sling Orange plan to access ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and TBS (most games are simulcast on TBS and truTV, so don't worry if you miss them). Sling plans start at $40 per month.
Sling TV subscription
Sling TV is the streaming service you're looking for that gives you just what you need without all the bells and whistles. More customizable than other plans, you can choose from three options so you only pay for what you need. New members receive $10 off their first month.
For Hulu + Live TV, subscriptions start at $76.99. ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, and truTV are available. It's an expensive option, but the bundle comes with ESPN+, Disney+, and regular Hulu.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV includes more than 90 channels, plus access to Hulu's on-demand library, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus. Adding live TV will significantly increase your price, but it's a monthly contract and you're free to cancel at any time. However, as far as live TV services go, this is one of the best.
If you don't mind missing a game on ESPN, you can subscribe to Max and watch every game live on TNT, TBS, and truTV. Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month and include live sports options thanks to the service's B/R Sports add-on. This add-on is currently free with a subscription, but will eventually cost an additional $9.99 per month.
Maximum with ads (monthly plan)
The streaming service, formerly HBO Max and now called Max, is the U.S. home for premium content from HBO and Warner Bros. Since the rebrand, it is now also home to Discovery content, including reality, food, and true crime. Pricing starts at $10 per month with ads, $16 without ads, and $20 to watch in 4K.
How to watch the NHL playoffs from anywhere
If you're a hockey fan traveling outside the US during the NHL playoffs, you can use a VPN to maintain your aforementioned subscriptions. A VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, is an easy way to change your device's virtual location (and a useful way to increase your internet privacy). The live TV services we introduced today require a US payment format, so this recommendation is primarily aimed at Americans who are currently abroad and want to use their existing subscriptions.
Interested in trying a VPN? Our main suggestion is ExpressVPN, an easy VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you want to know more, check out our ExpressVPN review and keep reading to find out how to use it.
How to watch the NHL playoffs using a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
- Install it on the device you plan on watching.
- Turn it on and set it to your US location.
- Sign up for any of the live TV streaming services listed above using a US payment method.
- Please navigate to the correct channel or page to enjoy the show.
Note: Using a VPN is illegal in certain countries, and using a VPN to access region-locked streaming content may violate certain services' terms of service. Insider does not support or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
