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How to watch the NHL Playoffs live and online without cable in 2025
Springtime means game time.
The NHL playoffs are a highlight for sports fans, who are ready to lock in to fast-paced hockey games with high stakes and immense pressure on the line. We are already off to the races with the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, which began on Saturday, April 19.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Finals are scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 7, 2025, and, if necessary, could extend to (but will be no later than) Monday, June 23, 2025.
We've got you covered with how to catch these playoff series and how to watch the right channels with a live TV streaming services, so that you can stream the best part of the season in your living room.
Where to watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs: A visual guide for streaming providers and channels needed
You’ll need access to ESPN, TNT, ABC, TBS and ESPN 2 to catch all of the NHL playoff games. For ESPN Plus subscribers, you'll also be able to catch some games live and replays of most playoff contests. For ESPN Plus, you do have the option of buying a subscription as a standalone service through ESPN or with a Hulu + Live TV plan.
Here’s a look at which streaming services off the channels you'll need for the 2025 NHL Playoffs:
| DIRECTV Streaming App |
Fubo |
Hulu + Live TV |
Sling TV |
YouTube TV |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ABC |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓* |
✓ |
|
TBS |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
TNT |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
truTV |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
ESPN |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
ESPN 2 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| *Local channels only available in select markets | |||||
Watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs on DIRECTV Streaming App with a 5-day free trial
- Pricing begins at $86.99/mo
- 90+ live TV channels
- Free trial available
The DIRECTV Streaming App is a wise choice for hockey fans. With each package, you’ll receive ESPN, ESPN 2, TBS, TNT and ABC, allowing you to stream playoff games live. Also, each plan features unlimited device streams and unlimited DVR recording room.
The DIRECTV Streaming App can be expensive, depending on which package you choose and which add-ons you need to get extra channels. That aside, you won’t need another subscription to stream playoff games. Therefore, DIRECTV Streaming App might be worth the expense for dedicated hockey fans.
Watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs on Fubo with a 5-day free trial
- Pricing begins at $84.99/mo.
- 211+ live TV channels
- Free trial available
Fubo offers hockey fans a way to stream some but not all of the playoff games live. The Essential package has 211+ channels and unlimited Cloud DVR. You can stream hockey games on ESPN, ESPN 2 and ABC with this base plan.
Most notably, the se rvice doesn’t offer TNT or TBS. Considering some early-round playoff games air on these channels, you might need another subscription to supplement viewing, like ESPN Plus. That aside, Fubo offers exceptional value and a wide variety of sports channels.
Watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs on Hulu + Live TV with a 3-day free trial
- Pricing begins at $82.99/mo
- 95+ live TV channels
- 3-day free trial
Hulu + Live TV is the best way for hockey fans to stream playoff action. With Hulu, you’ll receive access to more than 95 channels, unlimited DVR recording and on-demand content from Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
The ESPN Plus access alone is beneficial as it allows hockey fans to stream some playoff games live while catching replays of every game. In addition, you receive access to every channel you need, like ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC, TNT and TBS in the Hulu + Live TV channel lineup, making the service one of the best ways to stream all playoff games live.
Watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs on Sling TV with 50% off your first month
- Pricing begins at $45.99/mo.
- 35+ live TV channels
- Free trial currently unavailable
Sling TV is perfect for hockey fans wanting to stream playoff games and save money. The Sling Orange package offers ESPN, ESPN 2, TBS and TNT. In turn, you can stream many playoff games live.
The only issue with Sling TV concerns local channels. If you don’t live in an area where Sling TV offers ABC, you’ll need a digital antenna to supplement coverage. It’s pivotal as the Stanley Cup Finals will air on ABC.
Watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs on YouTube TV with a 10-day free trial
- Pricing begins at $82.99/mo
- 100+ live TV channels
- Free trial available
If you want unlimited recording space and over 100 channels, YouTube TV is a smart fit. The base package includes all the channels hockey fans need, including ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC, TBS and TNT.
Moreover, the service is easy to use, with a cable-like channel guide, easy-to-navigate interface and a Library section on the main menu for shows, movies and games you’ve recorded. YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR space up to 3 simultaneous streams.
Watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs on ESPN Plus
- Pricing begins at $11.99/mo
- Thousands of live events
- Free trial currently unavailable
Another way to stream playoff hockey is with a subscription to ESPN Plus. ESPN Plus airs some playoff contests live and will offer replays of every postseason game. You can subscribe to the service directly through ESPN or with the Disney Bundle. Hulu + Live TV subscribers also have the service included at no additional charge if you package your live TV with the Disney Bundle.
NHL Playoff schedule 2025: Series and matchups
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Result / Networks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Conference | ||||
| Ottawa Senators (WC1) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (1A) — Toronto leads series 1‑0 | ||||
| 1 | Maple Leafs vs. Senators | — | — | Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2 |
| 2 | Senators at Maple Leafs | Tuesday, April 22 | 7:30 p.m. | SN, CBC, TVAS, ESPN2 |
| 3 | Maple Leafs at Senators | Thursday, April 24 | 7 p.m. | SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS, ESPN2 |
| 4 | Maple Leafs at Senators | Saturday, April 26 | 7 p.m. | SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS, truTV, MAX |
| 5 | Senators at Maple Leafs | Tuesday, April 29 | TBD * | — |
| 6 | Maple Leafs at Senators | Thursday, May 1 | TBD * | — |
| 7 | Senators at Maple Leafs | Saturday, May 3 | TBD * | — |
| Florida Panthers (3A) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (2A) | ||||
| 1 | Panthers at Lightning | Tuesday, April 22 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS |
| 2 | Panthers at Lightning | Thursday, April 24 | 6:30 p.m. | TBS, truTV, MAX, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS |
| 3 | Lightning at Panthers | Saturday, April 26 | 1 p.m. | TBS, truTV, MAX, SN, TVAS, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS |
| 4 | Lightning at Panthers | Monday, April 28 | 7 p.m. | ESPN, SN, TVAS, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS |
| 5 | Panthers at Lightning | Wednesday, April 30 | TBD * | — |
| 6 | Lightning at Panthers | Friday, May 2 | TBD * | — |
| 7 | Panthers at Lightning | Sunday, May 4 | TBD * | — |
| Montreal Canadiens (WC2) vs. Washington Capitals (1M) — Washington leads series 1‑0 | ||||
| 1 | Capitals vs. Canadiens | — | — | Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT) |
| 2 | Canadiens at Capitals | Wednesday, April 23 | 7 p.m. | ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS, MNMT |
| 3 | Capitals at Canadiens | Friday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, MAX, MNMT |
| 4 | Capitals at Canadiens | Sunday, April 27 | 6:30 p.m. | SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS, truTV, MAX, MNMT |
| 5 | Canadiens at Capitals | Wednesday, April 30 | TBD * | — |
| 6 | Capitals at Canadiens | Friday, May 2 | TBD * | — |
| 7 | Canadiens at Capitals | Sunday, May 4 | TBD * | — |
| New Jersey Devils (3M) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (2M) — Carolina leads series 1‑0 | ||||
| 1 | Hurricanes vs. Devils | — | — | Hurricanes 4, Devils 1 |
| 2 | Devils at Hurricanes | Tuesday, April 22 | 6 p.m. | ESPN, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNSO, MSGSN |
| 3 | Hurricanes at Devils | Friday, April 25 | 8 p.m. | TBS, MAX, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNSO, MSGSN |
| 4 | Hurricanes at Devils | Sunday, April 27 | 3:30 p.m. | TBS, truTV, MAX, SN, SN360, TVAS, FDSNSO, MSGSN |
| 5 | Devils at Hurricanes | Tuesday, April 29 | TBD * | — |
| 6 | Hurricanes at Devils | Friday, May 2 | TBD * | — |
| 7 | Devils at Hurricanes | Sunday, May 4 | TBD * | — |
| Western Conference | ||||
| St. Louis Blues (WC2) vs. Winnipeg Jets (1C) — Winnipeg leads series 2‑0 | ||||
| 1 | Jets vs. Blues | — | — | Jets 5, Blues 3 |
| 2 | Jets vs. Blues | — | — | Jets 2, Blues 1 |
| 3 | Jets at Blues | Thursday, April 24 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS, FDSNSW |
| 4 | Jets at Blues | Sunday, April 27 | 1 p.m. | TBS, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS, FDSNMW |
| 5 | Blues at Jets | Wednesday, April 30 | TBD * | — |
| 6 | Jets at Blues | Friday, May 2 | TBD * | — |
| 7 | Blues at Jets | Sunday, May 4 | TBD * | — |
| Colorado Avalanche (3C) vs. Dallas Stars (2C) — Series tied 1‑1 | ||||
| 1 | Avalanche vs. Stars | — | — | Avalanche 5, Stars 1 |
| 2 | Stars vs. Avalanche | — | — | Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT) |
| 3 | Stars at Avalanche | Wednesday, April 23 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, SN360, TVAS2, Victory+, ALT |
| 4 | Stars at Avalanche | Saturday, April 26 | 9:30 p.m. | TBS, truTV, MAX, SN, TVAS, Victory+, ALT |
| 5 | Avalanche at Stars | Monday, April 28 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, SN, SN360, TVAS, Victory+, ALT |
| 6 | Stars at Avalanche | Thursday, May 1 | TBD * | — |
| 7 | Avalanche at Stars | Saturday, May 3 | TBD * | — |
| Minnesota Wild (WC1) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (1P) — Vegas leads series 1‑0 | ||||
| 1 | Golden Knights vs. Wild | — | — | Golden Knights 4, Wild 2 |
| 2 | Wild at Golden Knights | Tuesday, April 22 | 11 p.m. | ESPN, SN, SN360, TVAS, FDSNNO, SCRIPPS |
| 3 | Golden Knights at Wild | Thursday, April 24 | 9 p.m. | TBS, truTV, MAX, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNNO, SCRIPPS |
| 4 | Golden Knights at Wild | Saturday, April 26 | 4 p.m. | TBS, truTV, MAX, SNW, SNP, SN1, TVAS, FDSNNO, SCRIPPS |
| 5 | Wild at Golden Knights | Tuesday, April 29 | TBD * | — |
| 6 | Golden Knights at Wild | Thursday, May 1 | TBD * | — |
| 7 | Wild at Golden Knights | Saturday, May 3 | TBD * | — |
| Edmonton Oilers (3P) vs. Los Angeles Kings (2P) — Los Angeles leads series 1‑0 | ||||
| 1 | Kings vs. Oilers | — | — | Kings 6, Oilers 5 |
| 2 | Oilers at Kings | Wednesday, April 23 | 10 p.m. | TBS, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS, FDSNW |
| 3 | Kings at Oilers | Friday, April 25 | 10 p.m. | SN, CBC, TVAS2, TNT, truTV, MAX, FDSNW |
| 4 | Kings at Oilers | Sunday, April 27 | 9:30 p.m. | SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS, truTV, MAX, FDSNW |
| 5 | Oilers at Kings | Tuesday, April 29 | TBD * | — |
| 6 | Kings at Oilers | Thursday, May 1 | TBD * | — |
| 7 | Oilers at Kings | Saturday, May 3 | TBD * | — |
FAQ
How can I watch the 2025 NHL playoff games?
You can snag free trials with DIRECTV Streaming App (5-day free trial), Hulu + Live TV (3-day free trial), or YouTube TV (10-day free trial), which will give you comprehensive viewing access to ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC, TBS, and TNT broadcasting the 2025 NHL playoff games. Fubo (5-day free trial) also has a free trial, but lacks access to TNT, TBS, and truTV due to contract disputes. Sling TV also has all the right stations you'll need, but only offers 50% off per month.
Will the 2025 NHL playoffs be on ESPN Plus?
According to the current deal 2021-2028 NHL, ESPN/ABC, and Turner Sports contract, 2025 playoff games that ESPN and ABC broadcast —including the first two rounds and the conference final ESPN/ABC chooses — are simulcast on ESPN Plus.
What channels and stations will the 2025 NHL playoffs be on?
You'll want the full suite of ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC, TBS, and TNT, which will all broadcast the 2025 NHL playoff games and allow you to cycle through specific team coverage.
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