Hockey fans have it made. There are now so many great ways you can watch an NHL live stream without cable. It’s exciting to be able to watch all of the action on the ice when you don’t have to worry about extraordinary cable bills. You can watch hockey games legally on your TV, phone, tablet, or computer — the freedom is amazing and the savings are huge.
If you’re wondering how to watch NHL online, we’ve got you covered. Learn about all of the best streaming options in our complete guide below.
What NHL Channels Do You Need?
In order to watch NHL without cable, you’ll still need access to the channels that cover NHL games. So, what are the main NHL channels that you’ll need?
Most games air on regional sports channels, mostly from FOX Sports and NBC Sports (formerly Comcast SportsNet). These networks are important for following your local teams.
Some games also air on NBCSN, NBC, NHL Network, USA, and CNBC. These channels are important for important regular season games, and most of the NHL Playoffs.
The good news is that you can get all of these channels online – keep reading to learn how to watch NHL games without cable TV!
Hulu Live Offers the NHL Live Stream and Comprehensive Entertainment
Get every in-market game and most national hockey games – plus a lot more!
Price: $40/month+ (free 7-day trial)
Key Channels Included: FOX Sports Regionals (FSN), NBC Sports regionals (NBCS), USA, NBCSN, NBC, CNBC
What’s Missing?: NHL Network
NHL Games You Can Stream: All local games on FOX/NBC regional channels, and most national games (except those on NHL Network)
App Authentication: NBC Sports, FOX Sports Go, NBC
Device Availability: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, iOS devices, Android devices, web browsers, and more.
Hulu Live is a rapidly growing live streaming service that offers a complete entertainment solution. It’s a great way to get the NHL live stream, because it covers the bulk of local teams with coverage of NBC Sports and FOX Sports regional networks. It doesn’t include NHL Network, however.
Beyond hockey, Hulu Live offers tons of entertainment – both live and on-demand. Over 50 channels are included for live streaming, so there’s something for the whole family. And for times when it feels like there’s nothing good on, you can access Hulu’s legendary on-demand library for free! The service costs $40 a month, with no contract needed.
More Local Sports, More On-Demand Entertainment
Hulu Live is a one-stop-shop for your entertainment needs. It’s a top choice for sports fans, because it covers the most local affiliates of NBC/FOX/CBS/ABC of any of the streaming services, as well as excellent coverage of regional sports teams. But it’s also a top choice of entertainment junkies, due to the wide selection of channels and the impressive on-demand library.
- $40/mo with no contract
- Enjoy over 50 channels
- Get the NHL live stream every week for your favorite local teams
- When there’s nothing on, head to the on-demand library for thousands of TV and movie options
- Cancel at any time – there is no commitment or contract!
- Read our Hulu review to learn more
Try Hulu Live free for 7 days to get the NHL live stream free for a week!
Watch NHL Online All Season Long with DIRECTV NOW
A premium assortment of channels covers most NHL games, and entertains the whole family
Price: $40/month+ (free 7-day trial)
What’s Missing?: A few other regional sports networks
NHL Games You Can Stream: Local games in FOX Sports or NBC Sports markets, national games, NHL Playoffs
App Authentication: FOX Sports Go, NBC, NBC Sports, USA NOW, more
Device Availability: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, iOS devices, Android devices, web browsers, and more.
DIRECTV NOW is a popular streaming service that offers fans easy access to stream NHL games online. Whether you’re wanting to follow your local team’s games or want to catch the big national TV games, you can do it all with DIRECTV NOW.
The service starts at $40 per month, although to get regional sports networks (which you’ll need for local teams), you’ll need the $55/month package. You’ll get 65+ or 85+ channels, depending on which you choose, so there is plenty to watch!
Entertainment for the Whole Family
DIRECTV NOW is a complete entertainment solution, with both live and on-demand entertainment to choose from. And with up to 125+ channels, the whole family can stay busy!
- Plans from $40 a month
- $55/month package is best for NHL fans
- Get the NHL live stream on local sports networks, NHL Network, USA, and more
- One of very few ways to get NHL Network without cable
- Premium channel selection with up to 125+ networks in total
- No contract or commitment.
Read our DIRECTV NOW review for more details.
DIRECTV NOW is a streaming solution, so there is no need for a satellite subscription. Start now with a FREE 7-day trial to watch the NHL streaming and see for yourself what this service is all about!
fuboTV Offers Comprehensive NHL Streaming for Loyal Sports Fans
fubo covers the most sports and is built specifically for sports fans!
Price: $45/month+ (free 7-day trial)
What’s Missing?: NHL Network, a few other regionals
NHL Games You Can Stream: Local games in FOX Sports or NBC Sports markets, national games (except those on NHL Network), NHL Playoffs
App Authentication: FOX Sports Go, NBC Sports, USA Now, CNBC
Device Availability: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iOS devices, Android devices, web browsers, and more.
fuboTV is a sports-centric streaming service that has become quite popular among fans. With a sports-heavy channel lineup that includes a ton of regional sports networks (like FOX Sports and NBC Sports), NBCSN, NBC, FOX, FS1, and more, it’s a great way to watch NHL online without cable.
fuboTV starts at $45 a month, and there’s no contract, so you can cancel any time. While the service is lacking NHL Network, its robust regional lineup makes it a great option for following your local team in most US markets.
More Local Channels, More Local Sports
fuboTV offers some of the best coverage of local and regional sports networks of any streaming service. This makes it a great choice for any fan looking to follow their local team – whether that’s an NHL team, NBA, NFL or even soccer!
- $45/month, with no contract
- Over 75 networks (mostly sports)
- Excellent regional and local sports coverage
- Includes all channels for the NHL live stream, except for NHL Network
- Follow your favorite local teams across all sports
Check out our fuboTV review for more info about the service.
Click here to try fuboTV free for 7 days — a great way to watch NHL online free for a week.
Stream NHL Games on the Cheap with Sling TV
Save money with this ultra-affordable cable TV alternative
Price: $25/month+ (free 7-day trial)
What’s Missing?: A few other regional sports networks
NHL Games You Can Stream: Local games in FOX Sports or NBC Sports markets, national games, NHL Playoffs
App Authentication: FOX Sports Go, NBC, USA NOW, more
Device Availability: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox One, AirTV, Android TV, iOS devices, Android devices, web browsers, and more.
Sling TV is another option for live television streaming, and it gives you ability to watch NHL without cable TV. It also happens to be the cheapest way to stream NHL games.
There are a couple different packages to choose from, as well as some add-ons to expand your selection. For hockey fans, Sling Blue is the best bet, and then you can add on the Sports Extra package if you want (which adds NHL Network and many more). This will cost $30 a month, and give you over 50 great channels, including just about everything you need to stream hockey games online!
A Budget-Friendly Solution for Live Entertainment
Sling TV is the cheapest way to watch hockey online – and just a cheap way to keep up with TV in general. For $30 a month, you can get pretty much all the channels you need for hockey streaming!
- Affordable packages from just $25/mo
- No contract or commitment
- Save tons of money over cable
- Get the NHL live stream for most games
Read our Sling TV review for details.
To see more, try a FREE 7-day trial of Sling TV and watch the NHL live stream free for a whole week!
YouTube TV Lets You Watch NHL Games Without Cable in Many Areas
Excellent coverage for local and national sports teams; no contracts or commitments
Price: $40/month+ (free 7-day trial)
Key Channels Included: NBCSN, NBC, regional FOX Sports, regional NBC Sports, USA, CNBC
What’s Missing?: NHL Network, local networks missing in a few areas
NHL Games You Can Stream: Most local games in most markets, most national games (except NHL Network games)
App Authentication: FOX Sports Go, NBC Sports, NBC, more
Device Availability: Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, iOS devices, Android devices, web browsers, and more.
YouTube TV is a fast-growing service that lets subscribers watch live TV without cable. It offers over 50 networks for live streaming, including many that are important for live hockey streaming. NHL Network is not included, but beyond that, all the important NHL streaming channels are covered.
A Good Service with Room for Improvement
YouTube TV is an exciting addition to the ranks of live streaming services. So far, the service is promising, but it certainly still has some room for improvement.
- No contract, plans from $40/mo
- Get all the NHL channels you need, except NHL Network
- Good local/regional sports coverage
- Missing some popular entertainment networks, like HGTV and Comedy Central
For more info, read our YouTube TV review or try it out for free for 7 days!
Watch NHL Live Stream and Keep the Family Happy with PlayStation Vue
Vue’s generous terms allow you to stream simultaneously on 5 different devices
Price: $44.99/month+ (free 5-day trial)
What’s Missing?: NHL Network, some other regional sports networks
NHL Games You Can Stream: Local games in FOX Sports or NBC Sports markets, many national games (except those on NHL Network), NHL Playoffs
App Authentication: FOX Sports Go, NBC Sports, USA Now
Device Availability: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, PS3/PS4, Android TV, iOS devices, Android devices, web browsers, and more.
Another complete cable replacement option is PlayStation Vue. This service, from Sony, can convert your favorite devices into an entertainment hub. You can stream NHL games through several options with the service.
PlayStation Vue starts as low as $44.99 per month, making it a more expensive option to watch NHL without cable. But you do get a robust channel lineup, and Vue has good coverage of local channels needed to keep up with your favorite local teams.
An Entertainment Solution for the Whole Family
Although Vue is more expensive than most alternatives, it still provides significant value – particularly to families and larger households. That’s because this service lets you watch on up to 5 devices simultaneously – and each device can be watching something different!
- No contract, plans from $45/month
- The whole family can watch at once, on up to 5 different devices
- Get the NHL live stream on all channels you need (except NHL Network)
- Good coverage of local sports networks.
Read our PlayStation Vue review for more info. Or, if you’d rather get started, click here to start your free 5-day trial!
Access NHL Streaming Live with NHL.TV (Blackouts Apply)
Hockey fans have another great option to watch NHL live stream without cable. NHL.TV is an online streaming service direct from the NHL itself. You can stream all out-of-market games all season long. That is the major drawback, too. It means that if you’re a Redwings fan in Detroit, you can’t watch games with the service. But if you’re a Redwings fan who’s moved to Texas, this is the service for you.
The service provides a live stream for out-of-market games, so you can watch right when it airs. But for local games, you can watch on-demand after 48 hours.
You can stream NHL games on NHL.TV with a variety of devices, including your PC or Mac computer, mobile phones and tablets, and devices like Roku, Chromecast, and more. It even works with gaming consoles like PS3 or Xbox 360.
There are several price points. For access to all out-of-market games, you can get the service for $139.99, which is the best value. Or, you can pay for the monthly package at $24.99 a month. Or, if you’d rather just follow one single team, you can get a package for $109.99 per year. Just remember that you will only be able to access a single team if you’re out of that team’s market.
That is what we know about how to watch the NHL live stream without cable. For more info, check out this guide on how to watch NHL Playoffs live stream during the postseason. If you want to know more, don’t be afraid to ask questions in the comments section. Also, make sure to check out our guide on how to watch sports without cable for more details on your other favorite sports!
