The race for the Stanley Cup is on, and with the Florida Panthers out of the running, a new champion will be crowned. We've gathered everything you need to know about how to watch the NHL Playoffs, including global streaming options.
If you don't want to read any further, there are a few easy ways to live stream the Playoffs. In the US, you can live stream games by signing up for both ESPN Unlimited and HBO Max Ad-free, which cost $30 and $18.49 a month, respectively; YouTube TV, where you can get $75 off YouTube TV ($15 off for five months) when you sign up today; DirecTV MySports, where you can get $40 off ($20 a month off for two months); and Sling TV, where plans start at just $5 a day. Games will live stream on Sportsnet Plus in Canada and on NHL.TV on DAZN in most other regions around the world.
The NHL Playoffs are underway, and the Panthers are nowhere to be found. The reigning Stanley Cup champions, who have lifted the trophy for the past two years in a row, had a rough regular season and failed to make the playoffs this year. The Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche have risen to the top of the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively, and both teams swept their first-round opponents.
How to watch the NHL Playoffs in the US
The 2026 NHL Playoffs are spread across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, and truTV in the US. ABC won't come into play until the Stanley Cup Finals. If you're a cord-cutter hoping to tune in, you have several options.
The most direct way to live stream every game on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 is via ESPN Unlimited, which costs $30 a month. The cheapest, most direct way to live stream every game on TNT and truTV is through HBO Max. You'll need to sign up for one of HBO Max's ad-free tiers, which start at $18.49 a month for Standard, to unlock B/R Sports live streaming.
ESPN Unlimited has everything from ESPN Plus, in addition to all that the ESPN linear networks have to offer, along with some exclusive events not found on broadcast channels.
HBO Max's Standard plan includes ad-free on-demand streaming for HBO series, Warner Bros. blockbusters, original HBO Max shows, and much more. Plus, all ad-free subscribers get the B/R Sports Add-on, so they can live stream NBA, NHL, MLB, and more for no extra cost.
If you'd prefer to watch the games in one place, a live TV streaming service can help. DirecTV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV are among our favorite options that carry channels from both the Disney/ESPN and Warner Bros. families of networks.
YouTube TV carries ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, truTV, and TNT in its lineup, which includes over 100 live channels. Plans cost $83 a month, but you can get your first five months for $68 a month. There's also a cheaper Sports plan, which costs $55 a month for your first year (and then $65 a month after). YouTube TV offers a five-day free trial.
DirecTV is the top cable alternative in our guide to the best live TV streaming services. The service's month-to-month MySports genre pack carries ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, truTV, and TNT in its 20-channel lineup. MySports also comes with access to ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. Subscriptions cost $65 a month, but new users can get $20 a month off their first two months of service after a five-day free trial.
Sling TV will also be able to help you out. Sling Orange carries TNT, ESPN, ESPN2, and around 30 other live channels. Sling Blue carries truTV and ABC (in select regions; make sure to verify local channel coverage in your ZIP code) in its 40+ channel lineup. Each plan costs $46-$51 a month, but you can combine the two, starting at $61 a month.
How to watch the NHL Playoffs in Canada
In Canada, the NHL Playoffs will be available to live stream on Sportsnet Plus. Subscriptions start at $30 a month for a Standard subscription, which will carry every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Annual plans cost $250 a year, or you can get a deal on a four-month plan for $90 (down from $120). Select games will also air on CBC, but the Playoffs won't be available to stream through CBC Gem.
How to watch the NHL Playoffs in other countries
If you're outside the US and Canada, you can watch the entire NHL season (including the Playoffs) on NHL.TV on DAZN. This means that ice hockey fans in the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, and many other regions around the world will be able to live stream every game in one place. NHL.TV on DAZN prices vary by region, whether you sign up for a season pass or a monthly plan, and whether you opt for a Standard or Ultimate plan. In the UK, plans start at £20 a month. In France, plans start at €23 a month.
How to watch the NHL Playoffs from anywhere
Hockey fans traveling abroad can still access their usual watch options by utilizing a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs are handy tech tools that let people change their device's virtual location, so their go-to websites and apps work from anywhere the same way they would back home. They're also strong ways to upgrade cybersecurity. NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market. It's easy to use and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more about the service in our official NordVPN review.
NordVPN is top of the pile of the best VPN services. It offers excellent value, with a strong feature set and a low monthly price. A wide selection of international servers, high-end security, fast connections, and audited privacy protection have made the brand a household name in the world of VPNs for a reason.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
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