NHL Center Ice Review
Our sports experts spent the most recent NHL season testing and researching NHL Center Ice to determine if it remains the premier out-of-market package for hockey fans.
NHL Center Ice is an out-of-market sports package available through participating cable and satellite TV providers. It includes up to 40 NHL games per week during the regular season, while some providers also include NHL Network for around-the-clock hockey coverage.
Since 2021, ESPN has been the streaming home of the NHL’s out-of-market matchups in the U.S. Today, those games are available through NHL Power Play on the ESPN app with ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. But NHL Center Ice still benefits those with cable or satellite service. Depending on your provider, it can cost less than an annual ESPN Select plan and lets you watch out-of-market games conveniently through your TV provider’s interface.
Many major league sports make it difficult (or impossible) to watch the games you want within a single TV plan. The NHL is no exception, but NHL Center Ice is not too shabby for those uninterested in cutting the cord. Keep reading to learn if the service deserves a spot on your TV roster.
Is NHL Center Ice worth it?
NHL Center Ice is a good add-on package for NHL fans who already subscribe to a cable or satellite TV service. But if streaming TV is an option for you, I recommend ESPN+ over NHL Center Ice for out-of-market access.
Now bundled within the new ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited tiers, ESPN+ also features up to 50 exclusive NHL matchups each season. These games are only available via streaming on ESPN+ or Hulu, so even a “perfect” cable setup with every national NHL channel, your regional sports network (RSN), and NHL Center Ice would still leave you hanging.
If you truly want every live NHL game this season, you’re better off skipping NHL Center Ice and signing up for ESPN+. That way, you’ll get out-of-market access and those exclusive games within a single streaming subscription. Plus, several live TV providers now bundle ESPN Unlimited into select plans at no extra cost. Before you spend a dime, check your current package—you might already have the access you need.
NHL Center Ice deals and promotions
NHL Center Ice doesn’t offer a standard free trial. Participating TV providers may occasionally run free previews or other promotions, but those offers aren’t guaranteed. Keep an eye out for provider-specific deals before signing up.
NHL Center Ice plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Live games | Video | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHL Center Ice | $69.99/season | ~40/wk. | 1080p | View Plans for NHL Center Ice |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Out-of-market games only. Blackout restrictions and other conditions apply. Actual numbers of games varies by market due to blackout rules and other restrictions.
NHL Center Ice costs $69.99 for the entire season. Some TV providers also offer monthly payment plans, typically three months at $23.33 a month or four months at $17.50 a month.
A few seasons ago, NHL Center Ice was only $59.99 to compete with ESPN+’s then $69.99 annual cost. ESPN+ now costs $129.99 via an annual ESPN Select subscription, while NHL Center Ice only went up by ten bucks—maintaining its position as a cheaper option. But it’s important to note that ESPN+ provides greater value with its exclusive NHL matchups and wide range of other live sports content.
NHL Center Ice vs. NHL Power Play on ESPN
| Service | Price | Live games | Exclusive games | NHL Network included | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHL Center Ice* | Varies by provider | Up to 40/wk. | 0 | Varies by provider | View Plans for NHL Center Ice |
| NHL Power Play (via ESPN Select) | $12.99/mo. | 1,000+/season | ~50 | — |
View Plans for ESPN+ Learn about NHL Power Play |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Out-of-market games only. Blackout restrictions and other conditions apply. Actual numbers of games varies by market due to blackout rules and other restrictions.
As I outlined above, NHL Center Ice and NHL Power Play both offer out-of-market NHL games in the U.S. The primary difference is how you access them. NHL Center Ice requires a participating cable or satellite TV provider, while NHL Power Play streams through the ESPN app as part of ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited.
You can still bundle the new ESPN plans with Disney+ and Hulu for a single monthly price. Better yet, you might already get ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost through select TV providers like DIRECTV and Spectrum. Before subscribing separately, check whether your current TV package includes access.
Service types aside, the core offering is similar: Both packages deliver a massive slate of out-of-market games throughout the regular season. But ESPN pulls ahead with its exclusive national matchups. Since those games aren’t part of NHL Center Ice, traditional TV subscribers are out of luck unless they also have the appropriate ESPN access.
NHL Center Ice specs and features
NHL Center Ice features can vary depending on your TV provider. DIRECTV, for example, includes NHL Network during the season and offers home-and-away broadcast feeds when available. Its Game Mix channel also lets you keep tabs on up to eight games at once.
Other providers put their own spin on the experience. I like Xfinity‘s X1 interface because it makes Center Ice games easy to find by team and includes useful sports features like live scores and stats. Xfinity subscribers can also access Center Ice through the Xfinity Stream app while connected to their home Wi-Fi.
Video and audio quality
Picture quality varies by provider and the available game feed. DIRECTV says most NHL Center Ice games are available in HD, while Xfinity requires HD service to subscribe.
In practice, expect standard HD rather than 4K. Depending on the provider and feed, that may mean 720p or up to 1080i video with standard 2.0 stereo audio.
Can you stream NHL Center Ice?
NHL Center Ice doesn’t come with a standalone streaming app. Unlike MLB EXTRA INNINGS or NBA League Pass, which include access to their respective streaming services, NHL Center Ice is primarily designed for watching out-of-market games through your traditional TV provider. Any additional app or device access depends on your provider.
If streaming is your priority, NHL Power Play on the ESPN app is the better fit. It’s included with ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited and gives U.S. subscribers streaming access to out-of-market NHL games on supported devices.
Ultimately, NHL Center Ice is a solid luxury if you already have cable or satellite TV and like keeping your hockey inside the traditional channel guide. But if you mainly watch on phones, tablets, or streaming devices, NHL Power Play is the more flexible option.
NHL Center Ice FAQ
How much does it cost for NHL Center Ice?
NHL Center Ice costs $69.99 per season or $23.33 a month for three months. You can also expect an NHL Center Ice mid-season price drop around January, but the reduced price varies each year.
How do I get NHL Center Ice without cable?
To get the out-of-market benefits of NHL Center Ice without cable in the U.S., you'll need an ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited subscription. Viewers based in Canada will need Sportsnet+ Premium, and anyone outside the U.S. or Canada will need an NHL.TV subscription.
Does NHL Center Ice include all games?
No, NHL Center Ice focuses on out-of-market regular-season games and is subject to blackout restrictions. Nationally exclusive games and games involving your local team require separate access through the appropriate broadcaster or streaming service.
What's the difference between NHL Center Ice and NHL.TV?
NHL Center Ice is a TV-provider package for out-of-market games in the U.S. and Canada, while NHL.TV is an international streaming service available through DAZN in eligible countries. U.S. viewers instead get out-of-market streaming through NHL Power Play on ESPN, while Canadian viewers can use Sportsnet+ Premium.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, spent time hands-on testing and researching NHL Center Ice to determine its overall value. He tested its features and capabilities in a rural market and compared its pricing, accessibility, and out-of-market coverage with NHL Power Play through the ESPN app. This review combines that firsthand experience with ongoing research into provider pricing, blackout rules, and viewing options to determine whether NHL Center Ice is worth the cost.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
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