How to Watch the 2024 NHL Playoffs Online: Livestream Hockey Without Cable
Oscar Hartzog
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One of the best tournaments in sports has arrived — here’s how to watch every Stanley Cup Playoff game online without cable

Quick Answer: The best way to watch the 2024 NHL playoffs is with a live TV streaming service like DirecTV Stream or Hulu + Live TV.

The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, delivering some of the best tournament action of any sport. Now in the second round, just eight teams are left. In the East, it’s the New York Rangers against the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers vs. the Boston Bruins. In the West, the Dallas Stars are playing the Colorado Avalanche and the Vancouver Canucks are facing off against the Edmonton Oilers.

No matter which team you’re you’re following, you’ll need a good way to watch this year’s NHL playoffs. Below are a few of the best ways for cord-cutters to livestream the NHL playoffs online, including an option for streamers looking to watch games for free.

How to Watch NHL Playoffs Online Without Cable

This year, ESPN and TNT will be broadcasting NHL playoff games across their respective families of channels (so, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, TNT, TBS, and TruTV). But, if you don’t have cable, you can still stream the NHL Playoffs online. Below are a few streaming services that will let you watch the NHL Playoffs live online, whether through your smart TV, phone, laptop, or any other streaming-enabled device.

Our top pick for streaming the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs is DirecTV Stream, which carries ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, and TruTV in its most affordable package, the Entertainment plan. This plan starts with a five-day free trial and then costs $79.99 a month after that. Shop DirecTV Stream deals here.

DirecTV Stream is one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services with up to 160+ channels, including local channels, regional sports networks, and all popular national channels. Packages start at $79.99 a month and all subscriptions start with a five-day free trial.

Another live TV streaming service that you can use to watch the NHL playoffs online is Hulu + Live TV. The big draw with Hulu + Live TV is the value: For $76.99 a month, you get access to more than 95 live TV channels (including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, TNT, TBS, and TruTV), as well as complimentary subscriptions to Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu on-demand content. Get a three-day free trial here.

Hulu + Live TV bundles together Hulu’s on-demand library and over 95 live TV channels, including local channels and almost all popular national channels. Subscriptions also include ESPN+ and Disney+ at no additional cost. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 a month after a three-day free trial.

A more affordable streaming service that you can use to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs is Sling. With the service’s Orange + Blue plan, you get access to 46 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, and TruTV for NHL playoff livestreams. Sling Orange + Blue costs $55 a month, but doesn’t come with a free trial. Shop Sling deals here.

Sling is one of the most affordable live TV streaming services, with packages starting at $40 a month. You can get up to 46 channels in the Sling Orange + Blue plan, plus more with Sling’s add-ons.

The cheapest way to watch NHL Playoff games online is ESPN+. For just $10.99 a month, you’ll be able to live stream NHL Playoffs games on smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, and any other smart devices. The catch? ESPN+ has limited coverage of the tournament, as you won’t be able to watch any of the games shown on but it’s worth checking out for such a low price.

ESPN+ offers extensive live and on-demand content across just about every sport. The service costs $10.99 a month or $109.99 a year for an annual plan.

This year, Max is also offering limited NHL playoff livestreams through its B/R Sports add-on. You’ll be able to watch all games shown on TNT channels for only $9.99 a month (on top of your existing Max plan — those also start at $9.99 a month).

Max (formerly HBO Max) delivers a deep on-demand library of blockbuster movies and exclusive series. Subscriptions range from $9.99 a month to $19.99 a month. You can also get live sports coverage with Max’s new B/R Sports add-on for an additional $9.99 a month.

Can You Get Free NHL Playoff Livestreams?

Don’t want to pay more to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs? You’re in luck. Thanks to the free trials from DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV, you can watch NHL playoff games for free for eight days. That won’t get you every game for free, but it’s a great way to catch a few games without paying. Just remember to cancel your subscription before the trial ends to avoid any charges.

How to Get Tickets to NHL Playoff Games

The only thing better than live streaming the NHL playoffs online is of course catching a game in person.

Playoff games are happening all over the U.S. and Canada, so you likely have an opportunity to see a game somewhere near your area. Head to trusted resale sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and Seat Geek to check locations and get the best prices on authentic tickets (even last minute).

When Are the NHL Playoffs? 2024 Schedule, Bracket

This year’s NHL playoffs started on Saturday, April 20, and run until June when we’ll have the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. We’re now in the tournament’s second round with eight teams left. Here’s the schedule of upcoming games.

(Times in ET)

New York Rangers (Metropolitan 1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Metropolitan 2) Game 1: Rangers 4, Hurricanes 3Game 2: Rangers 4, Hurricanes 3 (2OT)Game 3: Rangers 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT)Game 4: Hurricanes 4, Rangers 3Game 5: Hurricanes 4, Rangers 1Game 6: Thursday, May 16, Rangers at Hurricanes, TBD*Game 7: Saturday, May 18, Hurricanes at Rangers, TBD

Florida Panthers (Atlantic 1) vs. Boston Bruins (Atlantic 2) Game 1: Bruins 5, Panthers 1Game 2: Panthers 6, Bruins 1Game 3: Panthers 6, Bruins 2Game 4: Panthers 3, Bruins 2Game 5: Tuesday, May 14, Bruins at Panthers, TBD*Game 6: Friday, May 17, Panthers at Bruins, TBD*Game 7: Sunday, May 19, Bruins at Panthers, TBD

Dallas Stars (Central 1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (Central 3) Game 1: Avalanche 4, Stars 3 (OT)Game 2: Stars 5, Avalanche 3 Game 3: Stars 4, Avalanche 1Game 4: Stars 5, Avalanche 1Game 5: Wednesday, May 15, Avalanche at Stars, TBD*Game 6: Friday, May 17, Stars at Avalanche, TBD*Game 7: Sunday, May 19, Avalanche at Stars, TBD

Vancouver Canucks (Pacific 1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (Pacific 2) Game 1: Canucks 5, Oilers 4Game 2: Oilers 4, Canucks 3 (OT) Game 3: Canucks 4, Oilers 3 Game 4: Tuesday, May 14, Canucks at Oilers, TBD on ESPNGame 5: Thursday, May 16, Oilers at Canucks, TBD*Game 6: Saturday, May 18, Canucks at Oilers, TBD*Game 7: Monday, May 20, Oilers at Canucks, TBD

* If necessary
One of the best tournaments in sports has arrived — here’s how to watch every Stanley Cup Playoff game online without cable
Quick Answer: The best way to watch the 2024 NHL playoffs is with a live TV streaming service like DirecTV Stream or Hulu + Live TV. The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, delivering some of the best tournament action of any sport. Now in the second round, just eight teams are left. In the East, it’s the New York Rangers against the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers vs. the Boston Bruins. In the West, the Dallas Stars are playing the Colorado Avalanche and the Vancouver Canucks are facing off against the Edmonton Oilers. No matter which team you’re you’re following, you’ll need a good way to watch this year’s NHL playoffs. Below are a few of the best ways for cord-cutters to livestream the NHL playoffs online, including an option for streamers looking to watch games for free. This year, ESPN and TNT will be broadcasting NHL playoff games across their respective families of channels (so, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, TNT, TBS, and TruTV). But, if you don’t have cable, you can still stream the NHL Playoffs online. Below are a few streaming services that will let you watch the NHL Playoffs live online, whether through your smart TV, phone, laptop, or any other streaming-enabled device. Our top pick for streaming the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs is DirecTV Stream, which carries ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, and TruTV in its most affordable package, the Entertainment plan. This plan starts with a five-day free trial and then costs $79.99 a month after that. Shop DirecTV Stream deals here. DirecTV Stream is one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services with up to 160+ channels, including local channels, regional sports networks, and all popular national channels. Packages start at $79.99 a month and all subscriptions start with a five-day free trial. Another live TV streaming service that you can use to watch the NHL playoffs online is Hulu + Live TV. The big draw with Hulu + Live TV is the value: For $76.99 a month, you get access to more than 95 live TV channels (including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, TNT, TBS, and TruTV), as well as complimentary subscriptions to Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu on-demand content. Get a three-day free trial here. Hulu + Live TV bundles together Hulu’s on-demand library and over 95 live TV channels, including local channels and almost all popular national channels. Subscriptions also include ESPN+ and Disney+ at no additional cost. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 a month after a three-day free trial. A more affordable streaming service that you can use to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs is Sling. With the service’s Orange + Blue plan, you get access to 46 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, and TruTV for NHL playoff livestreams. Sling Orange + Blue costs $55 a month, but doesn’t come with a free trial. Shop Sling deals here. Sling is one of the most affordable live TV streaming services, with packages starting at $40 a month. You can get up to 46 channels in the Sling Orange + Blue plan, plus more with Sling’s add-ons. The cheapest way to watch NHL Playoff games online is ESPN+. For just $10.99 a month, you’ll be able to live stream NHL Playoffs games on smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, and any other smart devices. The catch? ESPN+ has limited coverage of the tournament, as you won’t be able to watch any of the games shown on but it’s worth checking out for such a low price. ESPN+ offers extensive live and on-demand content across just about every sport. The service costs $10.99 a month or $109.99 a year for an annual plan. This year, Max is also offering limited NHL playoff livestreams through its B/R Sports add-on. You’ll be able to watch all games shown on TNT channels for only $9.99 a month (on top of your existing Max plan — those also start at $9.99 a month). Max (formerly HBO Max) delivers a deep on-demand library of blockbuster movies and exclusive series. Subscriptions range from $9.99 a month to $19.99 a month. You can also get live sports coverage with Max’s new B/R Sports add-on for an additional $9.99 a month. Don’t want to pay more to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs? You’re in luck. Thanks to the free trials from DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV, you can watch NHL playoff games for free for eight days. That won’t get you every game for free, but it’s a great way to catch a few games without paying. Just remember to cancel your subscription before the trial ends to avoid any charges. The only thing better than live streaming the NHL playoffs online is of course catching a game in person. Playoff games are happening all over the U.S. and Canada, so you likely have an opportunity to see a game somewhere near your area. Head to trusted resale sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and Seat Geek to check locations and get the best prices on authentic tickets (even last minute). This year’s NHL playoffs started on Saturday, April 20, and run until June when we’ll have the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. We’re now in the tournament’s second round with eight teams left. Here’s the schedule of upcoming games. (Times in ET) New York Rangers (Metropolitan 1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Metropolitan 2) Game 1: Rangers 4, Hurricanes 3Game 2: Rangers 4, Hurricanes 3 (2OT)Game 3: Rangers 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT)Game 4: Hurricanes 4, Rangers 3Game 5: Hurricanes 4, Rangers 1Game 6: Thursday, May 16, Rangers at Hurricanes, TBD*Game 7: Saturday, May 18, Hurricanes at Rangers, TBD Florida Panthers (Atlantic 1) vs. Boston Bruins (Atlantic 2) Game 1: Bruins 5, Panthers 1Game 2: Panthers 6, Bruins 1Game 3: Panthers 6, Bruins 2Game 4: Panthers 3, Bruins 2Game 5: Tuesday, May 14, Bruins at Panthers, TBD*Game 6: Friday, May 17, Panthers at Bruins, TBD*Game 7: Sunday, May 19, Bruins at Panthers, TBD Dallas Stars (Central 1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (Central 3) Game 1: Avalanche 4, Stars 3 (OT)Game 2: Stars 5, Avalanche 3 Game 3: Stars 4, Avalanche 1Game 4: Stars 5, Avalanche 1Game 5: Wednesday, May 15, Avalanche at Stars, TBD*Game 6: Friday, May 17, Stars at Avalanche, TBD*Game 7: Sunday, May 19, Avalanche at Stars, TBD Vancouver Canucks (Pacific 1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (Pacific 2) Game 1: Canucks 5, Oilers 4Game 2: Oilers 4, Canucks 3 (OT) Game 3: Canucks 4, Oilers 3 Game 4: Tuesday, May 14, Canucks at Oilers, TBD on ESPNGame 5: Thursday, May 16, Oilers at Canucks, TBD*Game 6: Saturday, May 18, Canucks at Oilers, TBD*Game 7: Monday, May 20, Oilers at Canucks, TBD * If necessary
 How to Watch NHL Playoffs Online Without Cable Can You Get Free NHL Playoff Livestreams? How to Get Tickets to NHL Playoff Games When Are the NHL Playoffs? 2024 Schedule, Bracket