The Stanley Cup has been enjoying its day in the Miami sun this summer after the Florida Panthers’ thrilling seven-game victory over the Edmonton Oilers in June. But the Oilers will be eager to try once again to wrench Lord Stanley’s chalice north of the border, bringing it home to Canada for the first time in over 30 years.
There should be plenty more excitement where that came from during the 2024-25 season. Connor Bedard is set to dazzle in his sophomore campaign. The Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes will be on the hunt to avenge last season’s playoff exits. And the Toronto Maple Leafs will once again raise the perennial question: Can they actually win a playoff round?
To find out, you’ll need to know where you can watch NHL games all season long. Read on to learn which channels will air puck drops — and where you can find them on every live TV streaming service.
Where to watch NHL games
The NHL is in the midst of a multi-year, multi-platform deal with ESPN and TNT. The deal puts national games on ABC, ESPN, and TNT, along with a select few on NHL Network throughout the regular season and playoffs. Local games will air on each team’s regional broadcast partner and on ESPN Plus outside those local markets.
Here’s a look at where you can find these channels on the major live TV streaming platforms.
| DIRECTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV | YouTube TV | Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | ✓ | |
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TNT | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NHL Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Watch NHL games on DIRECTV STREAM
- Suggested Plan: Ultimate
- Price: $129.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NHL Network
No streaming service offers every single NHL game in one package, but DIRECTV STREAM comes pretty close. With the Ultimate plan, you can watch most national games on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NHL Network, along with all your local team’s face-offs on your regional sports network (RSN).
Whichever plan you choose, DIRECTV STREAM has a lot to offer sports fans. The Choice package features more than 15 sports channels, including Fox Sports 1, NFL Network, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, NBA TV, SEC Network, ACCN and more. You’ll also get unlimited cloud DVR storage and no cap on simultaneous streams at home.
Watch NHL games on Fubo
- Suggested Plan: Elite with Sports Plus add-on
- Price: $99.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NHL Network
Like DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo especially targets sports fans. Its basic Pro plan offers more coverage than any other platform, with more than 30 sports channels built-in. For hockey, you’ll want to upgrade to the Elite plan with Sports Plus to get ABC, ESPN, your local team’s RSNs, and access to NHL Network. You can also tune into plenty of other sports action on channels like Big Ten Network, ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, beIN SPORTS, FS1, FS2, and more.
All Fubo plans include unlimited hours of cloud DVR and up to 10 simultaneous streams at home. However, the platform isn’t perfect for fans of hockey, baseball, or basketball. It’s missing some key networks for those sports, like TBS, TNT, and TruTV.
Watch NHL games on Hulu + Live TV
- Suggested Plan: Hulu + Live TV Bundle
- Price: $82.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: ABC, ESPN, TNT, and ESPN Plus
Hulu + Live TV is a unique option for hockey fans, offering more total coverage than any other live TV platform. That’s because a subscription to Hulu + Live TV also includes ESPN Plus, unlocking access to all out-of-market regional NHL broadcasts. You’ll also get over 95 live channels, including ABC, ESPN, and TNT, along with full access to Disney Plus and Hulu’s on-demand library.
Overall, Hulu + Live TV offers a stellar value for so much live-action and on-demand entertainment. The package also includes unlimited cloud DVR storage and two simultaneous streams. Unfortunately, Hulu doesn’t offer NHL Network, and only a few RSNs are available in select markets.
Watch NHL games on Sling TV
- Suggested Plan: Sling Orange & Blue and Sports Extra-add on
- Price: Starting at $55
- Free Trial: No
- Channels Included: ESPN, TNT, ABC (in select markets), and NHL Network
Sling TV is a little weaker when it comes to NHL coverage, but it’s a budget-friendly option for cord-cutters. All plans include TNT, and you’ll find ESPN on Sling Orange. Plus, you can upgrade to Sling Orange & Blue to get ABC in some markets, and the Sports Extra add-on would add NHL Network.
With this particular Sling TV package combination, you’d also get access to other great sports networks like FS1, ESPN2, ESPN3, NFL Network, TBS, TruTV, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACCN and more. All Sling plans come with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage, and you can upgrade to 200 hours for a monthly fee. Unfortunately, Sling doesn’t offer RSNs in any market, leaving a big hole if you want to keep up with your local team. For that, you’d need a subscription to your RSN’s over-the-top service, if available.
Watch NHL games on YouTube TV
- Suggested Plan: Base
- Price: $72.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: ABC, ESPN, and TNT
YouTube TV is another great choice for streaming NHL games in 2024-25. Its base plan includes more than 100 channels. You’ll have plenty of hockey on ABC, ESPN, and TNT, and YouTube TV even features RSNs in a few select markets. Plus, there’s plenty of sports coverage on other channels like ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, ACCN, SEC Network and NFL Network.
Sadly for hockey fans, YouTube TV doesn’t include NHL Network. However, its overarching channel lineup offers the best mix of sports, news, and entertainment of any live TV platform. Cord cutters will feel right at home here with its cable-like lineup and interface. YouTube TV also comes with unlimited cloud DVR storage and up to three simultaneous streams.
Watch NHL games on ESPN Plus
- Suggested Plan: Monthly
- Price: $11.99
- Free Trial: No
- Channels Included: ESPN Plus
The NHL’s latest deal with ESPN made ESPN Plus a dream choice for avid hockey fans. Instead of subscribing to a separate all-access service, you can now find all out-of-market games right within the ESPN platform at no additional charge. That’s more than 1,000 games, plus tons of other sports coverage, for only a small monthly cost compared to other services. Note that nationally televised games and those in your local market are blacked out.
ESPN Plus also features tons of other sports action, with college football, MLB games, UFC Fighting, European soccer, and more. The platform is also home to numerous award-winning sports documentaries and live analysis shows.
Watch NHL games on Max
- Suggested Plan: With Ads (Bleacher Report add-on included for a limited time)
- Price: Starting at $9.99
- Free Trial: No
- Channels Included: TNT (select games only)
Max is a new player in the live sports streaming wars, but it brings a lot to the table with the backing of Time Warner. The B/R add-on will let you watch more than 60 NHL games throughout the regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sports fans who care about the NBA, MLB, and U.S. National Soccer teams will also get some coverage for even more action.
Max is missing notable channels to watch NHL games this year, including ESPN and ABC. However, this option could be great for casual fans who want to tune into key matchups rather than every single regular season game.
NHL games schedule 2024
The NHL launched its 2024-25 season on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, with the Global Series matchup between the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia.
For a complete schedule, check out the NHL calendar.
FAQ
How can I watch every NHL game?
ESPN Plus offers the best way to watch every out-of-market NHL broadcast. To get national games and those from your own local market, you’ll need a subscription to a live TV streaming service that includes ABC, ESPN, TNT, NHL Network, and your local team’s RSN, like DIRECTV STREAM.
Can I watch NHL on Amazon Prime?
During the 2024-25 season, the NHL is launching “Monday Night Hockey” on Amazon Prime Video in Canada. Additionally, Amazon Prime Video announced it will now be the exclusive regional broadcast partner for the Seattle Kraken.
Does ESPN Plus have all NHL games?
ESPN Plus airs all NHL games that aren’t blacked out for national broadcasts on ABC, ESPN, TNT, or NHL Network. Additionally, any teams airing on your RSN will be blacked out on ESPN Plus.
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