How To Watch the NHL Playoffs From Anywhere: No Skating Around the 2026 Schedule

No matter where you hang your jersey, you can catch every NHL playoff game from anywhere by checking out our guide on where to stream with or without cable.
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Hockey fans who want to catch the NHL playoff games, including the Conference Finals, have several options, depending on where they live. ESPN, ABC, TNT, and TBS will all air playoff games, but U.S. cord-cutters can catch the games by streaming Hulu + Live TV, Amazon Prime with a Max subscription, and more.

U.S., U.K., and Canadian fans have varying options, which we’ve listed below. If you’re worried about geo-restrictions, we also have some tips on how to watch if you don’t have regional viewing access.

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In this article
How to watch the NHL playoffs in the U.S.
How to watch the NHL playoffs in the U.K.
How to watch the NHL playoffs in Canada
How to watch the NHL playoffs from anywhere
NHL Playoffs schedule 2026
NHL Conference Finals schedule 2026
Bottom line
FAQs

How to watch the NHL playoffs in the U.S.

After the regular season ends on April 16, 2026, the NHL playoffs are available in-region on ESPN+ or Hulu + Live TV. For anyone who doesn't have cable, a streaming service is your best option to watch all of the NHL playoff games in the U.S.

Platform Price Channels
ESPN+ (in-region only) $12.99/mo Streaming
TNT on Hulu + Live TV $35.99/mo TNT
ESPN on Hulu + Live TV $35.99/mo ESPN
ABC on Hulu + Live TV $35.99/mo ABC

How to watch on Hulu + Live TV

Hulu offers multiple channels, so you can watch NHL games — including the NHL playoffs — from anywhere. Since Hulu + Live TV offers multiple channels, similar to satellite or cable TV, you’ll have a choice of channels to watch the playoffs. We suggest signing up now so you don’t miss a single NHL power play.

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How to watch the NHL playoffs in the U.K.

U.K. fans can catch the games on NHL.TV or the NHL.TV app, which is now delivered through DAZN. Watch the NHL playoffs anywhere in the U.K.

Platform Price Channels
NHL.TV / DAZN £19.99/mo Streaming

How to watch the NHL playoffs in Canada

Canadians have several options for watching NHL games, including Hockey Night in Canada. But there are also ways to stream the NHL playoffs. Whether you go the Amazon route or choose one of the other top streaming options, make sure you sign up now so you have time to watch all the excitement leading up to the playoffs.

Platform Price Channels
Sportsnet $34.99/mo Streaming
Amazon Prime Video $8.99/mo Streaming
TVA Sports $17.99/mo Streaming

Rogers Communications (the parent company of Sportsnet) and the NHL announced a new 12-year broadcast deal in April 2025, so breathe easy knowing Sportsnet will remain the home of NHL hockey in Canada through the 2037-38 season.

However, what's next for hockey broadcasting remains in flux for the 2026-27 season: Rogers and CBC are still discussing the future of Hockey Night in Canada, and whether Amazon Prime will continue to be sub-licensed for streaming remains unconfirmed. We'll update this article as more details become available.

How to watch the NHL playoffs from anywhere

Most NHL games will be broadcast regionally, but one of the best VPNs can help beat geo-restrictions so you can watch the playoffs from anywhere. VPNs will change the device’s IP address while active, allowing fans to watch games from anywhere.

NordVPN includes several extras, such as Threat Protection, a dedicated IP address, strong VPN encryption, and the ability to unblock many streaming services. It’s also fast and reliable, so there isn’t any glitching or buffering during the game.

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NHL Playoffs schedule 2026

Conference NHL playoffs matchup
Eastern TBD vs. TBD
Eastern TBD vs. TBD
Eastern TBD vs. TBD
Eastern TBD vs. TBD
Western TBD vs. TBD
Western TBD vs. TBD
Western TBD vs. TBD
Western TBD vs. TBD

NHL Conference Finals schedule

The NHL Conference Finals matchups and dates will be confirmed as the postseason progresses — check back for updates.

NHL Conference Finals NHL Teams Date Channels
Eastern Conference
Game 1
TBD @ TBD TBD TBD
Eastern Conference
Game 2
TBD @ TBD TBD TBD
Eastern Conference
Game 3
TBD @ TBD TBD TBD
Eastern Conference
Game 4
TBD @ TBD TBD TBD
Eastern Conference
Game 5
TBD @ TBD TBD (if necessary) TBD
Eastern Conference
Game 6
TBD @ TBD TBD (if necessary) TBD
Eastern Conference
Game 7
TBD @ TBD TBD (if necessary) TBD
Western Conference
Game 1
TBD @ TBD TBD TBD
Western Conference
Game 2
TBD @ TBD TBD TBD
Western Conference
Game 3
TBD @ TBD TBD TBD
Western Conference
Game 4
TBD @ TBD TBD TBD
Western Conference
Game 5
TBD @ TBD TBD (if necessary) TBD
Western Conference
Game 6
TBD @ TBD TBD (if necessary) TBD
Western Conference
Game 7
TBD @ TBD TBD (if necessary) TBD

Bottom line

There are plenty of ways for fans wanting to watch the Stanley Cup playoff games. You have viewing options whether you’re located regionally or want to watch hockey from another country.

As sports broadcasting becomes more frequent on streaming platforms, more avenues should open up for geo-restricted fans to watch their favorite teams. In the meantime, grab one of the best VPNs available to unlock regional broadcasts and streams no matter where you are.

FAQs

Does ESPN+ have every NHL game?

Yes, ESPN+ does have every NHL game, but there’s a caveat. Games are only shown regionally. This means a Pittsburgh Penguins fan living in Texas will need a VPN to watch those hockey games. If you don’t live near your favorite team, you may want to consider NordVPN, CyberGhost, or Surfshark, which all work with streaming services to unblock geo-restrictions.

Is NHL free with Amazon Prime?

While some NHL games are free with Amazon Prime, some require a subscription. When we checked our Prime app, we were able to watch some games, but others wanted us to sign up for a Max subscription to watch.

How will the NHL playoffs be televised?

You’ll be able to watch the NHL playoffs on Hulu + Live TV and other streaming services. Cable and satellite subscribers can also view the playoffs on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and TBS.


Get Deal
On Hulu's website
Streaming Service
Hulu
PROMOTION: Save Up to 42%
  • Stream exclusive series, Hulu Originals, hit movies, current episodes, and more.
  • Watch on 2 different screens at the same time.
  • Cancel your subscription at any time.
  • No hidden fees, ever.
Author Details
Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.