How to watch live NHL hockey without cable in 2026

Watching live NHL games is easier than ever, thanks to a wide range of streaming options that cater to different fans. Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive package to follow your favorite out-of-market team, a way to stream your local team without cable, or just the most budget-friendly way to catch the action, there’s a service for you.

The NHL continues to offer NHL Power Play on ESPN+ for out-of-market fans, and some regional games are now available in-market for select teams. Meanwhile, live TV streaming services like DIRECTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV provide access to national games and regional sports networks (RSNs). A handful of games will also be available on ESPN, Hulu, and other digital platforms throughout the season.

Prime Video broadcasts in-market games for the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues.

Fubo has local Regional Sports Network (RSN) coverage for the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues.

Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to stream NHL games this season.

We picked the best live TV streaming services for each NHL team so you can follow every slapshot and save. Be sure to check your team’s schedule before signing up.

Stream NHL Games

We compared the top streaming services to help you choose the best one for NHL action. The best streaming services for sports, including NHL games, depend on your location and which channels carry your favorite team.

DIRECTV

DIRECTV provides comprehensive access to live NHL coverage, carrying national networks like ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, and TNT, as well as the NHL Network for non-market features and studio shows. For local team coverage, DIRECTV offers traditional Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) such as NESN, MSG Network, MSG SportsNet, SportsNet Pittsburgh, Altitude Sports, and NBC Sports regional networks.

Additionally, it carries local over-the-air broadcast channels and new team-specific networks, such as Chicago Sports Network, as well as local free-to-air feeds for teams like the Seattle Kraken and Utah Mammoth. DIRECTV also integrates access to ESPN’s out-of-market games, making it one of the most reliable all-in-one destinations for both local and national hockey action, though local RSN regional surcharges generally apply depending on your location.

Fubo

Fubo offers a robust lineup for following local NHL markets, including local broadcast stations ABC, national sports networks ESPN, ESPN2, and NHL Network, as well as an extensive catalog of regional channels. Local network coverage includes classic RSNs like NESN, MSG Network, MSG SportsNet, NBC Sports networks, Altitude Sports, and SportsNet Pittsburgh, as well as new league- and team-operated regional networks such as Hurricanes Hockey Network, Blue Jackets Hockey Network, Wild+, and Blue Note+.

Fubo also provides access to local broadcast affiliates for teams that moved their games to over-the-air broadcasts. The primary limitation for NHL fans on Fubo is the total lack of Turner networks (TNT and TBS), meaning you will miss a significant chunk of national regular-season doubleheaders and half of the Stanley Cup Playoffs unless paired with an auxiliary streaming service like HBO Max.

Local market broadcasts

Most NHL games are shown on your Regional Sports Network (RSN).

If you’re trying to watch your local team, over 75% of games air on your RSN. To stream these games, you’ll need access to the correct RSN via a live TV streaming service.

We recommend Fubo or DIRECTV for the widest RSN availability, and Prime Video for select teams. However, be sure to check your team page above for more info on where you can stream the most in-market games.

Prime Video

Prime Video has rapidly transformed into an essential hub for live hockey coverage in both the United States and Canada. In the U.S., Prime Video is now a regional streaming partner, providing direct-to-consumer access for local broadcasts across multiple markets — including the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues — as well as carrying local over-the-air broadcasts for teams like the Seattle Kraken.

Canadian subscribers receive extensive national coverage through NHL on Prime, which holds exclusive rights to Wednesday Night Hockey, select early-round Stanley Cup Playoff series, and the live whip-around studio show NHL Coast to Coast. Whether you are looking to stream your local team in-market without a cable contract or catch national matchup action, Prime Video gives fans a flexible, app-based alternative to traditional regional sports networks.

Out-of-market broadcasts

If you’re a fan living away from your favorite NHL team’s market, ESPN is now your go-to streaming service. Since the 2021–22 season, ESPN has taken over from the now-defunct NHL.TV, offering comprehensive access to out-of-market games.

During the NHL season, ESPN provides:

• NHL Power Play on ESPN: Over 1,050 out-of-market games, letting you follow your favorite teams and players throughout the regular season.
• Exclusive National Games: A selection of games that air only on ESPN+ and Hulu, including some marquee matchups each week.
• Stanley Cup Playoffs Coverage: Select playoff games, including some first and second-round matchups, as well as one conference final.

Keep in mind that while ESPN covers most out-of-market action, some nationally televised games remain exclusive to TNT, TBS, or ABC.

Watching NHL in Canada

Canadian fans have several options:

• Sportsnet+ – Covers the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks, plus national coverage including Hockey Night in Canada and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
• TSN Direct – Covers regional games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Winnipeg Jets.
• TVA Sports – The exclusive French-language broadcaster for national NHL coverage in Canada.
• Prime Video - National coverage through NHL on Prime, including Wednesday Night Hockey and select Stanley Cup Playoff matchups.

Check your region to confirm which service has the rights to your favorite team.

Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage

When it’s time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, coverage ramps up across both national and Canadian broadcasters:

United States

• ESPN and TNT split the first two rounds.
• TNT will air one conference final.
• ABC airs the other conference final and the entire Stanley Cup Final.
• All games will also be available via streaming on ESPN+, Hulu, and HBO Max.

Canada

• Sportsnet (English) and TVA Sports (French) air all playoff games nationally.
• Prime Video broadcasts select early-round Stanley Cup games
• Games are available for streaming on Sportsnet NOW and TVA Sports Direct.
• Check game times closely — some games may be exclusive to streaming platforms, especially in the earlier rounds.

NHL 2026 full streaming schedule

Here is the up-to-date National Hockey League streaming schedule for 2026.