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The 2025 NHL playoffs are set with 16 teams vying for the Stanley Cup. Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals have locked in the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and the Winnipeg Jets are the No. 1 seed in the West. The Jets also picked up the Presidents Trophy for the best season in the league (55-22-4).
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At a Glance: How to Watch the NHL Playoffs
- Stream: DirecTV, Sling, Hulu + Live TV
- TV Channels: ESPN, TNT/TBS/TruTV
- Dates: April 19-June 23 (latest)
However, if you’ve cut the cord since last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, figuring out how to stream the hockey tournament can be tricky. Ahead, we’ve put together a quick guide on the best ways to watch NHL playoff games online without cable, as well as key information about the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
How to Watch the NHL Playoffs Online
2025 NHL playoff games are broadcast on ESPN channels (ESPN, ESPN2) or TNT channels (TNT, TBS, TruTV). ESPN games will be simulcast on ESPN+, and TNT games will also be shown on Max.
If you don’t have cable, the best way to watch every game is with a live TV streaming service that carries both ESPN and TNT (and their sister networks). Alternatively, you can get ESPN+ and Max and switch between the two of them.
Here’s a rundown of the best live TV streaming services you can use to watch the NHL playoffs online:
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BEST OVERALL
Sling TV
Pros: Affordable, carries every channel for NHL playoffs
Cons: Limited overall coverage, no free trial
sign up now $23
The best way to watch the 2025 NHL playoffs is Sling. The budget-friendly streaming service carries ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and TBS in its most affordable package, the Orange plan. This package starts at $46.99 a month, but right now you can score 50% off your first month. The whole lineup is 34 channels, which is fewer than the options below, but you’re paying significantly less. The only real downside is that Sling does not offer a free trial.
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FREE TRIAL
DirecTV
Pros: Streamlined package, free trial, great coverage
Cons: More expensive than Sling
get free trial
DirecTV now offers hardware-free streaming options to rival any cable package. Their best offering for hockey fans is the MySports plan, which carries 20+ top sports channels — including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and TBS to livestream every Stanley Cup Playoff game this year. ESPN+ is also included. The package costs $69.99 a month, and you get a five-day free trial to start. Overall, it’s probably the best package for sports fans, and makes a great option if you’re also looking to stream the NBA Playoffs or any other sports right now.
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ALSO CONSIDER
Hulu + Live TV
Pros: Free trial, bonus streaming services
Cons: Pricey
get free trial
Another streaming service that carries all the channels you need to livestream the NHL playoffs is Hulu + Live TV. This one offers a three-day free trial to start, but it’s pricier than the above at $82.99 a month. However, you do get more channels (95+), as well as complimentary access to ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu’s entire on-demand library. This makes it a great option for anyone looking to overhaul their streaming setup and watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Note: Fubo is another popular live TV streaming service, but it does not carry TNT/TBS, so we left it off this list.
NHL Playoffs Schedule, Bracket 2025
The 2025 NHL playoffs begin on Saturday, April 19. The tournament will end no later than June 23.
Here’s the full schedule for the first round:
Western Conference
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Game 1: Oilers at Kings — Monday, April 21, 7 p.m. PT, ESPN2
Game 2: Oilers at Kings — Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. PT, TBS/Max
Game 3: Kings at Oilers — Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. PT, TNT/truTV/Max
Game 4: Kings at Oilers — Sunday, April 27, 6::30 p.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
* Game 5: Oilers at Kings — Tuesday, April 29, TBD
* Game 6: Kings at Oilers — Thursday, May 1, TBD
* Game 7: Oilers at Kings — Saturday, May 3, TBD
* If necessary
St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets
Game 1: Blues at Jets — Saturday, April 19, 3 p.m. PT, Max/truTV/TNT
Game 2: Blues at Jets — Monday, April 21, 4:30 p.m. PT, ESPN2
Game 3: Jets at Blues — Thursday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. PT, ESPN2
Game 4: Jets at Blues — Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
* Game 5: Blues at Jets — Wednesday, April 30, TBD
* Game 6: Jets at Blues — Friday, May 2, TBD
* Game 7: Blues at Jets — Sunday, May 4, TBD
* If necessary
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars
Game 1: Avalanche at Stars — Saturday, April 19, 5:30 p.m. PT, Max/truTV/TNT
Game 2: Avalanche at Stars — Monday, April 21, 6:30 p.m. PT, ESPN
Game 3: Stars at Avalanche — Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 p.m. PT, ESPN
Game 4: Stars at Avalanche — Saturday, April 26, 6:30 p.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
* Game 5: Avalanche at Stars — Monday, April 27, TBD
* Game 6: Stars at Avalanche — Thursday, May 1, TBD
* Game 7: Avalanche at Stars — Saturday, May 3, TBD
* If necessary
Minnesota Wild vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1: TBD at Golden Knights — Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. PT, ESPN
Game 2: TBD at Golden Knights — Tuesday, April 22, 8 p.m. PT, ESPN
Game 3: Golden Knights at TBD — Thursday, April 24, 6 p.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
Game 4: Golden Knights at TBD — Saturday, April 24, 1 p.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
* Game 5: TBD at Golden Knights — Tuesday, April 29, TBD
* Game 6: Golden Knights at TBD — Thursday, May 1, TBD
* Game 7: TBD at Golden Knights — Saturday, May 3, TBD
* If necessary
Eastern Conference
Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1: Senators at Maple Leafs — Sunday, April 20, 4 p.m. PT, ESPN2
Game 2: Senators at Maple Leafs — Tuesday, April 22, 4:30 p.m. PT, ESPN2
Game 3: Maple Leafs at Senators — Thursday, April 24, 4 p.m. PT, ESPN2
Game 4: Maple Leafs at Senators — Saturday, April 26, 4 p.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
* Game 5: Senators at Maple Leafs — Tuesday, April 29, TBD
* Game 6: Maple Leafs at Senators — Friday, May 1, TBD
* Game 7: Senators at Maple Leafs — Saturday, May 3, TBD
* If necessary
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1: Panthers at Lightning — Tuesday, April 22, 5:30 p.m. PT, ESPN,
Game 2: Panthers at Lightning — Thursday, April 24, 3:30 p.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
Game 3: Lightning at Panthers — Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
Game 4: Lightning at Panthers — Monday, April 28, TBD
* Game 5: Panthers at Lightning — Wednesday, April 30, TBD
* Game 6: Lightning at Panthers — Friday, May 2, TBD
* Game 7: Panthers at Lightning — Sunday, May 4, TBD
* If necessary
Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals
Game 1: Canadiens at Capitals — Monday, April 21, 4 p.m. PT, ESPN
Game 2: Canadiens at Capitals — Wednesday, April 23, 4 p.m. PT, ESPN
Game 3: Capitals at Canadiens — Friday, April 25, 4 p.m. PT, TNT/truTV/Max
Game 4: Capitals at Canadiens — Sunday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
* Game 5: Canadiens at Capitals — Wednesday, April 30, TBD
* Game 6: Capitals at Canadiens — Friday, May 2, TBD
* Game 7: Canadiens/at Capitals — Sunday, May 4, TBD
* If necessary
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1: Devils at Hurricanes — Sunday, April 20, 12 p.m. PT, ESPN
Game 2: Devils at Hurricanes — Tuesday, April 22, 3 p.m. PT, ESPN
Game 3: Hurricanes at Devils — Friday, April 25, 5 p.m. PT, TBS/Max
Game 4: Hurricanes at Devils — Sunday, April 27, 12:30 p.m. PT, TBS/truTV/Max
* Game 5: Devils at Hurricanes — Tuesday, April 29, TBD
* Game 6: Hurricanes at Devils — Friday, May 2, TBD
* Game 7: Devils at Hurricanes — Sunday, May 4, TBD
* If necessary
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