The Stanley Cup Finals is the pinnacle of professional ice hockey. Featuring the season’s top two NHL teams, the best-of-seven series determines the ultimate champion.
This year’s series begins on Saturday, June 3, and features the Florida Panthers against the Vegas Golden Knights. The two teams have never won the Stanley Cup trophy, so much anticipation rides on both franchises.
TNT will broadcast the 2023 Finals, alternating with ABC/ESPN+ over the next several years. Because accessing TNT requires a TV provider subscription, we highlight the best ways to watch the championship series below.
What channel is the Stanley Cup Finals on?
Every Stanley Cup Finals game in 2023 will air on TNT, with simulcast coverage also airing on TBS and truTV. Depending on your TV provider, you can toggle between English- and Spanish-language commentary on TNT by selecting your TV’s secondary audio programming (SAP) option.
In Canada, English-language coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals will air on CBC and Sportsnet, with Canadian French–language commentary on TVA Sports.
Pro tip: For those on the go, you can listen to the NHL Playoffs on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (ch. 91).
2023 Stanley Cup Finals schedule
The grand finale of the 2022–2023 NHL season begins on Saturday, June 3. If all seven games are necessary, the championship series will wrap up in Las Vegas on Monday, June 19.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1: Florida at Vegas | Saturday, June 3 | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
| Game 2: Florida at Vegas | Monday, June 5 | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
| Game 3: Vegas at Florida | Thursday, June 8 | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
| Game 4: Vegas at Florida | Saturday, June 10 | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
| Game 5: Florida at Vegas* | Tuesday, June 13 | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV |
| Game 6: Vegas at Florida* | Friday, June 16 | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
| Game 7: Florida at Vegas* | Monday, June 19 | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
*If necessary.
Pro tip: Once the Finals are over, prepare for the next season by visiting our How To Watch the NHL Draft guide. Nashville hosts the draft, which begins Wednesday, June 28.
Best Stanley Cup Finals TV plans
The best TV plan for watching the Stanley Cup Finals depends on your viewing setup. This season, we recommend Sling TV because the live TV streaming service is the cheapest way to get TNT. The Sling Orange plan costs $40 a month and comes with TNT alongside other popular channels like ESPN, TBS, and AMC.
Paying $40 a month to watch up to seven NHL games is not ideal, but Sling TV makes it less of a burden for new subscribers with its various sign-up deals. Plus, unlike cable or satellite providers, Sling TV has no contracts—meaning you can cancel anytime.
Which TV providers carry the Stanley Cup Finals?
| Provider | Type | Price | TNT | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | Streaming | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | Satellite | $84.99–$114.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| fuboTV | Streaming | $32.99–$99.99/mo. | — |
View plans Read fuboTV review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $76.99–$89.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $35.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $25.00/mo. | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $69.99–$74.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Vidgo | Streaming | $69.99–$99.99/mo. | — |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $72.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
How to watch the Stanley Cup Finals for free
The only free way to watch the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals is through a live TV streaming trial. DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV are live TV streaming services that carry TNT and offer free trials. However, trial lengths vary between providers, so you may need to both to watch the complete NHL championship series.
2023 Stanley Cup Finals overview
Previous encounters
The Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights have never met in an NHL playoff series until now. In fact, the two sides have faced off only nine times in the regular season. The historical odds favor the Golden Knights, who hold a 5–4–1 all-time series record against the Panthers.
During this past season, the two sides met twice. Vegas won the first encounter in January, while Florida emerged victorious in the second meeting in March.
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What to expect
The 2023 Stanley Cup Finals marks the second championship appearance for the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights. In 2018, Vegas reached the Finals during their inaugural season but fell to the Washington Capitals after five games. The Panthers had an even more difficult time in the 1996 Finals when the Colorado Avalanche shut them out.
It's official – there will be a new #StanleyCup champion in 2023!
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 30, 2023
The @GoldenKnights and @FlaPanthers vie for their first-ever championship with both clubs making their second appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. #NHLStats: https://t.co/1BOy9gcFK0 pic.twitter.com/wyzknyvXel
Regardless of previous Stanley Cup appearances, both teams showcase immense talent on the ice. The Panthers have Matthew Tkachuk and Sergei Bobrovsky to thank for much of their postseason success. But their Vegas counterparts, Jack Eichel and Adin Hill, are on a similar level.
The momentum may be with Florida, who had to pass through the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Carolina Hurricanes to get here. But that’s not to rule out Vegas. The two teams make for a unique matchup, and we can see it go either way.
How to watch the Stanley Cup Finals FAQ
What date will the Stanley Cup Finals be played?
The 2023 Stanley Cup Finals will begin on Saturday, June 3, almost three months after the NHL regular season ended on Thursday, April 13.
Can I watch the Stanley Cup Finals without cable?
Yes, you can watch the Stanley Cup Finals without cable by signing up for any live TV streaming service that carries TNT. The cheapest way to get the channel is through Sling TV for as low as $40 a month.
Will ESPN+ have the Stanley Cup Finals?
No, the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals will not stream live on ESPN+. While the streaming service carried the 2022 championship series, this year’s games will appear on TNT, TBS, and truTV instead.
Taylor Kujawa is a sports and entertainment fanatic who loves using his industry expertise to help keep you informed about your favorite leagues. With a bachelor’s degree in video production and over seven years of writing experience, Taylor brings a wealth of digital media knowledge to CableTV.com. He’s also the co-founder and media producer at Her Football Hub, a UK-based web publication dedicated to women’s soccer football. Outside of work, you can usually find Taylor exploring nature or binge-watching the latest TV craze.
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