The Ultimate Guide to Streaming NHL Games in 2025 – All Free and Paid Options
Hockey fans, rejoice! A new season begins and the Cup is back up for grabs. We’ll break down every U.S.-based NHL team and what you’ll need to pay to keep tabs on them throughout the year.
If you want to watch every game of your team, you’ll need at least 3 services:
- National games: DIRECTV and Sling TV are the only live TV services that carry ESPN, TNT, and NHL Network. (DIRECTV has ABC, Sling users can access those games on ESPN3.)
- Out-of-Market games: ESPN Select (previously called ESPN+) has more than 1,050 out-of-market NHL games. This package is also included in the higher tier, called ESPN Unlimited.
- Regionally televised games: Your channel or streaming option depends on where you live. See our chart below.
Because DIRECTV has the regional option for every U.S. team except the Stars and Flyers, that makes the most sense for most NHL fans. If you choose the MySports package ($69.99), that includes ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NHL Network. MySports includes free ESPN Unlimited. Add on the MyHome Team package ($19.99) for most regional sports networks and that’s the most cost-effective NHL combo.
$69.99/mo.+
Includes FREE ESPN Unlimited, add regional sports for $19.99
Regional Streaming NHL Options in 2025
| NHL Team | Channel | Carriers | Standalone Streamer | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | FOX 11 Plus (KCOP Channel 13) | DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo | Victory+ | Free |
| Boston Bruins | NESN | DIRECTV, Fubo | NESN 360 | $29.99/mo. or $120/year |
| Buffalo Sabres | MSG Buffalo | DIRECTV, Fubo | Gotham Sports App | $24.99/mo. or $239.99/year |
| Carolina Hurricanes | FanDuel Sports South | DIRECTV, Fubo | FanDuel Sports Network | $19.99/mo. (7-day free trial) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Chicago Sports Network | DIRECTV, Fubo | Chicago Sports Network | $19.99/mo. |
| Colorado Avalanche | Altitude Sports | DIRECTV, Fubo | Altitude+ | $19.95/mo. |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | FanDuel Sports Ohio | DIRECTV, Fubo | FanDuel Sports Network | $19.99/mo. (7-day free trial) |
| Dallas Stars | N/A | Victory+ | Free | |
| Detroit Red Wings | FanDuel Sports Detroit | DIRECTV, Fubo | FanDuel Sports Network | $19.99/mo. (7-day free trial) |
| Florida Panthers | Scripps Sports (channel varies by city) | DIRECTV, Fubo | Panthers+ | $69.99/season |
| Los Angeles Kings | FanDuel Sports West | DIRECTV, Fubo | FanDuel Sports Network | $19.99/mo. (7-day free trial) |
| Minnesota Wild | FanDuel Sports North | DIRECTV, Fubo | FanDuel Sports Network | $19.99/mo. (7-day free trial) |
| Nashville Predators | FanDuel Sports South | DIRECTV, Fubo | FanDuel Sports Network | $19.99/mo. (7-day free trial) |
| New Jersey Devils | MSG Networks | DIRECTV, Fubo | Gotham Sports App | $24.99/mo. or $239.99/year |
| New York Islanders | MSG Networks | DIRECTV, Fubo | Gotham Sports App | $24.99/mo. or $239.99/year |
| New York Rangers | MSG Networks | DIRECTV, Fubo | Gotham Sports App | $24.99/mo. or $239.99/year |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NBC Sports Philadelphia | Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV | Peacock + add-on | $32.94+/mo. |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | SportsNet Pittsburgh | DIRECTV, Fubo | SNP 360 | $21.99/mo. or $99.99/half-year |
| San Jose Sharks | NBC Sports California | DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV | Peacock + add-on | $25.94+/mo. |
| Seattle Kraken | TEGNA (channel varies by city/state) | DIRECTV, Fubo | Prime Video | $8.99/mo. |
| St. Louis Blues | FanDuel Sports Midwest | DIRECTV, Fubo | FanDuel Sports Network | $19.99/mo. (7-day free trial) |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Scripps Sports (channel varies by city) | DIRECTV, Fubo | Lightning App | $66/season |
| Utah Mammoth | Utah 16 (KUPX-TV Channel 16) | DIRECTV, Fubo | Mammoth+ | $14.99/mo. or $69.99/season |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Scripps Sports | DIRECTV, Fubo | KnightTime+ | $69.99/season (free trial until Oct. 4) |
| Washington Capitals | Monumental Sports Network | DIRECTV | Monumental+ | $19.99/mo. or $199.99/year |
Watching the NHL with DIRECTV
National NHL channels: ABC, TNT, ESPN, NHL Network
Regional NHL channels: All except Flyers
ESPN Unlimited option: Free with MySports
DIRECTV is your best choice for the NHL unless you live in Philadelphia. It can give you every channel you need, and the MySports channel bundle includes ESPN Unlimited so you can get all out-of-market games. It’s a great all-around TV service.
$69.99/mo.+
Includes FREE ESPN Select, add regional sports for $19.99
Watching the NHL with Sling TV
National NHL channels: ABC (via ESPN3), TNT, ESPN, NHL Network
Regional NHL channels: None
ESPN Unlimited option: Purchase separately
Sling TV is a strong budget choice to keep tabs on the NHL. You can even choose to buy it for a single day for $4.99! Sling doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other streaming services, but that gives you a lower price overall. I’ve used it and I like it, but it’s not what you’d choose if you need a regional sports network.
$45.99/mo.+
Watching the NHL with Fubo
National NHL channels: ABC, ESPN, NHL Network
Regional NHL channels: All except Capitals
ESPN Unlimited option: Unlocks with Fubo credentials
Fubo is a very strong option for NHL games because you can access nearly every regional sports network. Using your Fubo credentials, you can access all the out-of-market games through ESPN Unlimited. The price is quite high and you won’t get the TNT games.
$100.98/mo.
Watching the NHL with Hulu + Live TV
National NHL channels: ABC, TNT, ESPN
Regional NHL channels: Flyers, Sharks
ESPN Unlimited option: Included
Hulu + Live TV is a nice option for NHL games, though you won’t get NHL Network. The Hulu regional sports lineup only helps in Philadelphia or the San Jose area.
If you lock in your subscription by Oct. 23, you’ll get your first 3 months for $64.99. That’s important because the price is going up to $89.99 on Oct. 21. The free ESPN Unlimited, Disney+, and Hulu on-demand are great perks.
$82.99/mo.$64.99/mo.
Watching the NHL with YouTube TV
National NHL channels: ABC, ESPN, TNT
Regional NHL channels: Flyers, Sharks
ESPN Unlimited option: Purchase separately
YouTube TV is a middle-of-the-road option for NHL. Its regional sports lineup is weak and there is no NHL Network. You can watch ABC, ESPN, and TNT, but that’s it for hockey.
$82.99/mo.
Watching the NHL with the ESPN App
National NHL channels: ABC (via ESPN3), ESPN
Regional NHL channels: None
With the ESPN app, you’ll get 1,050+ out-of-market NHL games. If you choose the ESPN Unlimited option, you’ll see any games on ABC and ESPN. So it’s a great choice on a budget. You’d miss any TNT and NHL Network games and there’s no regional sports network option, but it does give you a ton of hockey at a good price. If you just want ESPN Select, that price will increase to $12.99 on Oct. 21.
$11.99-$29.99
Watching the NHL with HBO Max
You probably won’t get HBO Max specifically for the NHL. It does include any TNT games on the ad-free plan, but that’s where the hockey ends. HBO Max is a good choice to pair with Fubo.
$16.99/mo.
Watching the NHL with Prime Video
Prime Video itself doesn’t have hockey, but if you live where a FanDuel Sports Network covers the team, you can add it as a Prime Video channel. Get started with a free trial.
$19.99/mo.
Watching the NHL with Hulu
If you have the on-demand version of Hulu, you will have access to 47 NHL games. It’s not a perfect hockey option, but it’s a nice benefit. You may as well pair Hulu with ESPN Unlimited because you can bundle them with Disney+ for $29.99/month for 12 months. Be aware that the cost of ad-supported Hulu will go up to $11.99 on Oct. 21.
$9.99/mo.
Watching the NHL with Peacock
Peacock itself doesn’t have the NHL, but you can pay extra to add the 2 NBC Sports Networks that carry local NHL teams. It’s only an option if you live near San Jose or Philadelphia.
$16.99/mo.
Streaming Services Without the NHL
With live TV services, you won’t get the NHL with Frndly TV, Philo, or FOX One.
For on-demand streamers, there are no NHL games with Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, AMC+, or other services.
How to Watch NHL Games on ABC
ABC is available with DIRECTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo. Any ABC games will also air on ESPN3, so you’ll be able to watch with Sling TV and the ESPN App.
How to Watch NHL Games on ESPN
You can stream ESPN games with DIRECTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo. Any ABC games will also air on ESPN3, so you’ll be able to watch with the ESPN App.
How to Watch NHL Games on TNT
Any TNT NHL games will be available on DIRECTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and HBO Max.
How to Watch NHL Games on NHL Network
NHL Network is the hardest hockey channel to find. Your options are DIRECTV, Fubo, and Sling TV.
Can You Watch the NHL for Free?
Yes! There are a few ways to watch the NHL without having to pay.
Try a Free Trial
Most streaming services offer free trials. You can watch at least some NHL games with a free trial of DIRECTV, Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV.
If you live in an area where FanDuel Sports Network is the regional streamer, you can watch that for free with a 7-day trial.
Enjoy Victory+ for Free
If you live near Anaheim or Dallas, Victory+ gives you Ducks and Stars games for free! The other regional streaming services require payment.
Use an Antenna
With a simple antenna, you can watch any NHL games on ABC at no cost.
If you live near the Ducks, Panthers, Kraken, Lightning, Mammoth, or Golden Knights, you’ll be able to watch all regional games over-the-air for free!
Channel Master FLATenna
Use this great indoor antenna to pick up free HD and digital signals with a 35-mile range. Watch ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, and more for free forever!
If you’d like to supercharge the antenna, pair it with a HDHomeRun and Plex Pass and you’ll be able to stream your antenna signal to any device in your home and record games on your computer’s hard drive!
Conclusion
For most die-hard hockey fans, DIRECTV is the best bet with the widest variety of options. The price you’ll pay to watch your team depends on your regional sports option. ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited are strong new options this year, but you’ll probably want more than they offer.
