When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
The regular ice hockey season may have come to a close, but the Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full force. Below, we'll show you everything you need to know about how to watch the NHL Playoffs and when each game of the Finals will take place.
The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are headed for the finals, which will see the two teams compete for the Stanley Cup in the best of seven games. The Panthers and Oilers beat out the New York Rangers and Dallas Stars, respectively, in Round 3. The Panthers competed in the Finals just last year but lost out to the Vegas Golden Knights. They have yet to win the Stanley Cup. The Oilers, on the other hand, won the Stanley Cup five times between 1984 and 1990, but they haven't made it back to the Finals since 2006.
All games will air on ABC and live stream on ESPN+. If you're looking for a more elaborate live TV streaming package, we've identified a sports-friendly cable alternative that carries ABC. Keep reading to learn how to watch the Stanley Cup Finals from home.
How to watch NHL Playoffs in the US
Unlike the rest of the NHL Playoffs — which aired across ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, truTV, and ABC — all games of the final round will air on ABC. Fortunately for fans, this means you'll only need one streaming service to watch the games live from home if you don't have cable. The cheapest option will be ESPN+. Plans start from $10.99 a month.
ESPN Plus is designed for sports, giving subscribers access to live MLB, NHL, NFL, soccer, golf, and UFC fights. You can pay $11 monthly or go for an annual deal, which saves you about $22 a year. There's also a bundle with Hulu and Disney Plus, which offers an even better discount.
For cord-cutters looking to invest in a more comprehensive live streaming package, Fubo will be able to cover you. Fubo carries more than 190 channels, including several sports-centric networks. Plans start at $79.99 a month, but the streaming service currently offers a one-week free trial for new users.
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it'll cost you extra.
How to watch NHL Playoffs from anywhere
For hockey fans traveling outside the US during the NHL Playoffs, you can keep up with the aforementioned subscriptions using a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are easy ways to alter your device's virtual location (plus, they're handy ways to boost your internet privacy). This recommendation is mainly for Americans who are just abroad at the moment and looking to use their existing subscriptions, as the live TV services we've highlighted today require US forms of payment.
Interested in trying out a VPN? Our go-to suggestion is ExpressVPN, a straightforward VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you want to learn more, take a look at our ExpressVPN review and keep reading to see how to use it.
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that makes it exceptional. Better yet, you can save up to 49% and get an extra three months for free today.
How to watch NHL Playoffs with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
- Install it on the device you're planning to watch on.
- Turn it on and set it to a US location.
- Sign up for a live TV streaming service mentioned above with a US form of payment.
- Navigate to the correct channel or page and enjoy the game.
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. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
