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How to Watch NHL Opening Night on ESPN Live Online For Free Without Cable

Jeff Kotuby
Jeff Kotuby is a contributing writer to The Streamable who specializes in sports, music, and all things Japanese media. He cut the cord in 2017 and has spent the last six years of his career writing for technology, entertainment, and healthcare websites. He's a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles and Anaheim Ducks fan, but also enjoys watching animated shows from the '90s.
Read full bio ›
Jeff Kotuby

After 17 years, the National Hockey League is back on ESPN with a historic doubleheader.

In the first game, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning will battle the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the nightcap will see the debut of the Seattle Kraken, the NHL’s 32nd team, who will take on the NHL’s 31st team, the Vegas Golden Knights. ESPN will be your home for both games. You can watch it with a 5-Day Free Trial of DIRECTV STREAM.

How to Watch NHL Opening Night on ESPN

You can also stream these games with a a subscription to ESPN+. In addition to these, you will get 75+ exclusive broadcasts and over 1,000 out-of-market NHL games with ESPN+.

You can view the full slate of games available on ESPN+, along with those available on ESPN, ABC, and Hulu, using our guide.

Hockey is back on ESPN and the 2021 NHL FaceOff will feature a doubleheader on ESPN and ESPN+. The opener will feature Tampa’s banner-raising ceremony at Amalie Arena when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN’s Sean McDonough, analyst Ray Ferraro, and Emily Kaplan reporting from rinkside.

In the second game, the Seattle Kraken will make their debut against the last expansion team, the Vegas Golden Knights. In that one John Buccigross will handle play-by-play duties, while Brian Boucher will serve as game analyst and A.J. Mlezcko as rinkside analyst.

With the return of the NHL to ESPN, the network is promising some new innovations and technologies for fans to enhance the game-watching experience.

“Hockey lends itself to experimenting with some truly creative production elements given the pace and detail of the game,” said Mark Gross, SVP Production and Remote Events.

Camera operators will be allowed onto the ice for shootouts, coming out of the breaks, for example. In addition, players will be mic’d up for their warmups and access will be granted to the locker rooms for pre-game speeches from coaches. Player pointing will be used live throughout games to highlight movement of players and the puck, in order to give a better visual analysis during games.

Other features will be showcased during the games to enhance the game-watching experience for viewers, according to ESPN officials.

“We want to showcase the unique combination of speed, strength, skill and dexterity of the NHL’s athletes, while getting existing fans closer to the action and strategy and enticing new fans to experience the game,” Gross said.

How to Stream NHL Opening Night for Free on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, and Android

There are six major streaming providers that offer Live TV Streaming. Five of these providers allow you to watch NHL Opening Night live using iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Web.They are DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, and YouTube TV.

DTV STREAMFuboHuluPhiloSling TVYouTube
Free TrialFree TrialSign UpFree TrialGet 50% OffSign Up
$79.99$91.99$76.99$25$40$40$72.99
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All Live TV Streaming Services

DIRECTV STREAM

Price: $79.99
Includes: ESPN + 30 Top Cable Channels

Sling TV

Price: $40
Includes: ESPN + 16 Top Cable Channels

Hulu Live TV

Price: $76.99
Includes: ESPN + 32 Top Cable Channels

Fubo

Price: $91.99
Includes: ESPN + 24 Top Cable Channels

YouTube TV

Price: $72.99
Includes: ESPN + 31 Top Cable Channels

Jeff Kotuby
Jeff Kotuby is a contributing writer to The Streamable who specializes in sports, music, and all things Japanese media. He cut the cord in 2017 and has spent the last six years of his career writing for technology, entertainment, and healthcare websites. He's a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles and Anaheim Ducks fan, but also enjoys watching animated shows from the '90s.
Read full bio ›
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DIRECTV STREAM Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new DIRECTV STREAM subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • Purchase must be completed on the DIRECTV STREAM website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Sling TV subscribers to Sling Orange, Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Sling TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.