NHL Streaming: How to Watch Every Game This Season Without Cable

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The NHL regular season begins this week, with the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 7. The season opener triple-header will also see the Rangers host the Penguins, while the Kings host the Avalanche.

The Panthers will mount a campaign for the elusive three-peat, having won the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cups. But the loss of Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, who are both out for at least several months due to injury, may complicate the Panthers’ playoff picture.

At A Glance: How To Watch NHL Games Without Cable

Like most leagues, broadcast rights to the National Hockey League are split between multiple channels. Nationally-televised NHL games are carried by ESPN, ABC, and TNT. Regional games that aren’t nationally televised are carried by RSNs (Regional Sports Networks).

Despite being discontinued in favor of ESPN’s new all-in-one streaming service, ESPN+ remains a broadcaster for select games this season. All ESPN+ games will also be available on Hulu. Meanwhile, TNT games will be available on Max with a standard plan.

Fans looking to get all of those channels in one place can sign up for a live-streaming service, though most options include some trade-offs. The alternative is to sign up for more than one service that will cover the different networks, which may be less expensive but more confusing.

Best Live TV Streaming Services for Watching NHL Games

MOST COMPREHENSIVE

DirecTV

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DirecTV is one of the most comprehensive options, with a selection of RSNs to watch local games, plus the major networks for national games like ESPN, TNT, and ABC. For more Hockey, the NHL Network is available with the Ultimate and Premiere packages.

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BEST OVERALL

Hulu + Live TV

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Hulu + Live TV includes Disney+ for family content and entertainment, plus ESPN+ and Hulu for access to select NHL games. Hulu + Live TV includes ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT. However, NHL Network is not included.

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BEST VALUE

Sling

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Sling offers one of the best values for live TV streaming, though it can take work to figure out the different packages and add-ons. Sling Orange carries ESPN, TNT, and ESPN2, and the Sports Extra package adds NHL Network. However, ABC is not available in every region with Sling, so hockey fans looking to catch NHL games on ABC may opt to add an antenna, which will get access to OTA channels including ABC.

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Best Individual Streaming Services

These streaming services won’t get you everything, but they’re good options if you don’t want to shell out for a live TV streaming service.

BEST OUT OF MARKET

Hulu

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Out-of-market NHL games are carried by ESPN+. All ESPN+ games will be on Hulu, which may be a better option for streaming given that ESPN is winding down ESPN+.

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ESPN Unlimited

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ESPN Unlimited starts at $40/mo, and gets subscribers access to all ESPN networks, as well as content from ESPN+.

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BEST FOR TNT

HBO Max

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Select NHL Games that are streaming on TNT will be available to watch with HBO Max. HBO Max is also available as a bundle with Hulu and Disney+, getting you access to TNT and ESPN+ games.

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What About Canada?

Fans in Canada can stream National games with Sportsnet, Prime Video, or the TVA app, depending on the game.

NHL Key Dates

The reigning champs, the Florida Panthers, defeated the Edmonton Oilers to clinch the Stanley Cup. It was the second year in a row the team’s faced off, with Florida winning both meetings.

Oct. 7, 2025-26 NHL regular season start date

Oct. 11 and Oct. 28, All 32 teams playing

Nov. 22, Rematch between Oilers and Panthers

Feb. 6-24, Break in season for players to participate in Olympics

Mar. 6, Trade deadline

June 2026, NHL Season Ends