How To Watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs
It’s a long, icy road to Lord Stanley’s Cup, but you can watch the complete NHL Playoffs on ESPN and TNT Sports channels.
The NHL Playoffs feature some of the most intense, high-stakes hockey you’ll see all year. I’ve followed countless postseasons, and whether you’re a longtime fan or just catching the fever, tuning into the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a must. You’ll find all the action on ESPN and the TNT Sports channels.
My top pick for watching is Hulu + Live TV because it covers every national NHL playoff channel and throws in ESPN+ for extra coverage. It’s also one of my go-to services for catching college hockey, like the NCAA Frozen Four, which wraps up right before the NHL Playoffs drop the puck.
Of course, Hulu isn’t your only viewing option. Several other TV providers carry the right mix of channels to get you through the postseason. Keep scrolling for info on every playoff channel and the NHL postseason TV schedule.
What channels show the NHL Playoffs?
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs will air on ABC, ESPN, TNT, TBS, and truTV. All TNT Sports games stream on Max with a Standard or Premium plan, while ESPN+ will carry all ABC games and ESPN’s Conference Finals matchups. You can also catch Spanish-language coverage of select playoff matches on ESPN Deportes.
Pro tip: In Canada, viewers can watch the NHL Playoffs across CBC and Sportsnet networks. TVA Sports channels also provide coverage for those who want Canadian French–language commentary.
2025 NHL Playoffs schedule
The 2025 NHL Playoffs began on April 19, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason journey. It all builds to the Stanley Cup Final, which will wrap up by June 20 on TNT, truTV, and Max.
Teams will battle through four best-of-seven rounds, each packed with intensity, endurance, and strategic play. From the First Round’s opening faceoff to the final horn of the championship game, fans can expect unforgettable moments in the fight for hockey’s most coveted trophy.
- First Round: Starts Saturday, April 19
- Second Round: Starts Monday, May 5
- Conference Finals: Starts Tuesday, May 20
- Stanley Cup Final: Starts Wednesday, June 4
Stanley Cup Final TV schedule
| Round | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley Cup Finals | |||
| Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers (Game 1) | Wednesday, June 4 | 8:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max |
| Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers (Game 2) | Friday, June 6 | 8:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max |
| Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers (Game 3) | Monday, June 9 | 8:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max |
| Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers (Game 4) | Thursday, June 12 | 8:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max |
| Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers (Game 5)† | Saturday, June 14 | 8:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max |
| Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers (Game 6)† | Tuesday, June 17 | 8:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max |
| Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers (Game 7)† | Friday, June 20 | 8:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max |
Data effective as of post date.
†If necessary.
Best TV plans for watching the NHL Playoffs
If you’ve been following the NHL regular season, you likely already have the channels needed for watching playoff games. But if you’re just skating in for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and need a TV provider, a live TV streaming service is your best bet.
After years of covering NHL viewing options, I recommend Hulu + Live TV for postseason hockey because it includes every playoff channel and bundles ESPN+ for full-game replays. However, if you’re on a budget and don’t need ESPN+, Sling TV is a solid, wallet-friendly alternative that still delivers ESPN and TNT in one service.
I typically prefer DIRECTV STREAM for the most comprehensive NHL coverage, which includes NHL Network and regional sports networks. That said, those channels aren’t required to watch playoff games, so you can choose the service that best fits your needs.
Which TV providers offer NHL playoff channels?
Most TV providers carry every NHL playoff channel, though exact coverage can vary depending on your TV plan. For a closer look at every major TV provider’s hockey coverage, I’ve broken down which services offer the five NHL playoff channels below.
| Provider | Type | Price | ABC | ESPN | ESPN2 | TBS | TNT | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | Streaming | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | Satellite | $91.99–$121.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | — |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $30.00–$160.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $28.00/mo. | — | — | — | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $45.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔* | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available only in select markets with Sling Blue. Without ABC, Sling TV subscribers can watch ESPN on ABC broadcasts via ESPN3.
How can I watch the NHL Playoffs for free?
†CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $48.99 (as of 5/23/25 2:30 p.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to watch the entire NHL Playoffs for free because most games air on paid TV channels like ESPN and TNT. But with ABC airing select playoff games, you can watch those matchups completely free through your local ABC network. All you need to do is make a one-time purchase of a digital antenna.
The Mohu Leaf 50 is one of my favorite antennas because it’s 4K-ready and has a 60-mile range, which is ideal for anyone living in the suburbs. But before you go this route, I recommend checking your zip code on the FCC’s Reception Map Tool to ensure you have an ABC affiliate within range.
How to watch the NHL Playoffs FAQ
When do the NHL Playoffs start?
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs began on Saturday, April 19, with the best-of-seven championship series starting around June 7.
Which teams make it to the NHL Playoffs?
Of the 32 NHL teams, 16 of them reach the NHL Playoffs. This includes the top three teams in each of the league’s four divisions, with the two next-best teams (based on total points) in the league’s two conferences earning wild-card spots.
Can I watch the NHL Playoffs on Amazon Prime?
Yes, you can stream the NHL Playoffs on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. if you have a Max Standard add-on subscription.
Are the NHL Playoffs on Peacock?
No, the NHL Playoffs are not on Peacock. While 17 playoff games aired on the streaming service in 2021, Peacock’s parent company, NBCUniversal, no longer maintains the NHL’s broadcasting rights.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts spent eight hours researching the best ways to watch this season’s NHL Playoffs. We compared the most popular TV providers head to head, focusing on each provider’s channel offerings, pricing, and ease of use. Additional features like DVR storage space and on-demand capabilities were also taken into account.
To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
†Amazon.com price as of 5/23/25 2:30 p.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
