The 2019 NHL Playoffs start this week and it’s simple to watch the games if you’re a cord-cutter. There are now 6 services that offer NHL Playoff games, most of which you can try for free with a 7-Day Free Trial.
While most games throughout the NHL Playoffs will air on NBCSN and NBC — including the entire Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final, the first round will also see games on CNBC (8), USA Network (4), and NHL Network (1).
In your local market, your team will also be broadcast on our local RSN like NESN in Boston and MSG in New York. For the third year in a row, there are no local blackouts of the NBC telecasts in your home market (except Las Vegas and Pittsburgh) — meaning you can choose to watch either the NBC broadcast or your local market.
The only service where you can get every game is by subscribing to Sling TV. Fortunately, they are running a special promotion where you can get Sling Blue (which includes NBC, NBCSN, and USA Network) for just $15 a month for your first three months.
How to Stream NHL Playoff Games Without Cable
There are six major streaming providers that offer Live TV Streaming. These allow you to watch NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games live using iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Web.
This is the best option for fans that want to watch their local channels (NBC), Regional Sports Networks, as well as nationally televised games on cable networks like NBCSN, CNBC, & USA Network.
Top Picks
Sling TV
Price: $15
Includes: Local RSN, NBC, NBCSN, CNBC (+$5), USA Network, & NHL Network (+$10)
Fubo
Price: $55
Includes: NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, & USA Network
National Telecasts
Most Live TV Streaming Services offer NBC, NBC Sports Network, USA, and CNBC. Sling TV is the only service that offers NHL Network.
| AT&T NOW | Fubo | Hulu | PS Vue | Sling TV | YouTube | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign Up | Free Trial | Free Trial | Sign Up | Get $10 Off | Sign Up | |||
| $54.99 | $91.99 | $76.99 | $50 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | ||
| NBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NBC Sports Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CNBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | + $6 | ✓ | |
| USA Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NHL Network | - | + $8 | - | + $5 | + $11 | + $11 | - | |
Locals Telecasts
For fans in New York and Boston who want to watch their local telecast, Fubo is the only service that offers both MSG, MSG+, and NESN.
Unfortunately, local fans of the Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins won’t be able to stream the first round of the NHL Playoffs. Both their local RSN, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain and AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh are not available on any of the Live TV Streaming Servces.
While Colorado Avalanche games on Altitude are not available, streamers can watch their first round games on NBCSN/USA/CNBC without a local blackout.
TBD
All Live Streaming Options
You can also stream the NHL games with Fubo, Hulu Live TV, DIRECTV NOW], and YouTube TV.
Sling Blue
Price: $25
Includes: NBC, NBCSN, USA, Local RSN, CNBC (+$5), & NHL Network (+$10)
NBC available in limited markets.
fuboTV
Price: $55
Includes: NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA, & Local RSN
Hulu Live TV
Price: $45
Includes: NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA, & Local RSN
PlayStation Vue
Price: $45
Includes: NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA, & Local RSN (+$5)
DIRECTV NOW
Price: $70
Includes: NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA, & Local RSN
YouTube TV
Price: $40
Includes: NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA, & Local RSN
2019 NHL Playoffs TV Schedule
TBD