How to Watch the NHL Playoffs Online: Live Stream Hockey Without Cable

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Before the tournament has even started, there are several thrilling storylines taking shape.

The first and most buzzy narrative to follow is of course the Boston Bruins, who have amassed a record 65 wins and 135 points. A trophy at the end of the playoffs would cement the Bruins’ season as one of, if not the best ever. But they’ll be up against tough opposition like the reigning champion Colorado Avalanche, the Western No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights, and the Eastern No. 2 Carolina Hurricanes.

No matter what storyline 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, ESPN2, TBS, and TNT will be broadcasting NHL playoff games (the Stanley Cup Final will air on TNT). 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.

Sling: Every NHL Playoff Channel

fuboTV: Free Trial

ESPN+: Most Affordable

1. Stream the NHL Playoffs on Sling

The best way to watch the 2023 NHL playoffs is Sling. The budget-friendly live TV streamer carries ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, and TNT in its Orange + Blue plan, which costs just $60 a month. That means you can watch every NHL playoff game live online throughout the tournament.

Buy Sling Orange + Blue $60

2. Stream the NHL Playoffs on fuboTV

fuboTV is the best streaming service with a free trial, which is great for anyone looking to watch NHL playoff games online for free this year. The streamer’s most affordable package — the Pro plan — delivers ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT for playoff games (but no TBS). The Pro plan costs $74.99 a month, but you get a seven-day free trial to start — use that to stream the NHL playoffs for free for a few games.

Buy Free Trial fuboTV

3. Stream the NHL Playoffs on ESPN+

The cheapest way to watch the NHL Playoffs online is ESPN+. For just $9.99 a month, you’ll be able to live stream NHL Playoffs games on smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, and any other smart devices. ESPN+ won’t have every game, but it’s worth checking out for such a low price.

Buy ESPN+ Subscription $9.99

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 VividSeats.com to check locations and prices and secure authentic NHL playoff tickets (even last-minute).

When Are the NHL Playoffs? 2023 Schedule

This year’s NHL playoffs get underway on Monday, April 17, and run until June when we’ll have the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.

Below is the schedule for the first round of the NHL playoffs, which will go until May 1 if necessary

(Times in ET; * games if necessary)

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Bruins vs. (WC2) Florida Panthers
Game 1: Monday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. at BOS (ESPN)
Game 2: Wednesday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. at BOS (ESPN)
Game 3: Friday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. at FLA (TNT)
Game 4: Sunday, April 23, 3:30 p.m. at FLA (TNT)
Game 5*: Wednesday, April 26 at BOS
Game 6*: Friday, April 28 at FLA
Game 7*: Sunday, April 30 at BOS

(2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1: Tuesday, April 18, 7:30 p.m. at TOR (ESPN)
Game 2: Thursday, April 20, 7 p.m. at TOR (ESPN)
Game 3: Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m. at TBL (TBS)
Game 4: Monday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. at TBL (TBS)
Game 5*: Thursday, April 27 at TOR
Game 6*: Saturday, April 29 at TBL
Game 7*: Monday, May 1 at TOR

(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC1) New York Islanders
Game 1: Monday, April 17, 7 p.m. at CAR (ESPN2)
Game 2: Wednesday, April 19, 7 p.m. at CAR (ESPN2)
Game 3: Friday, April 21, 7 p.m. at NYI (TBS)
Game 4: Sunday, April 23, 1 p.m. at NYI (TNT)
Game 5*: Tuesday, April 25 at CAR
Game 6*: Friday, April 28 at NYI
Game 7*: Sunday, April 30 at CAR

(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (3) New York Rangers
Game 1: Tuesday, April 18, 7 p.m. at NJD (TBS)
Game 2: Thursday, April 20, 7:30 p.m. at NJD (TBS)
Game 3: Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m. at NYR (ABC)
Game 4: Monday, April 24, 7 p.m. at NYR (ESPN)
Game 5*: Thursday, April 27 at NJD
Game 6*: Saturday, April 29 at NYR
Game 7*: Monday, May 1 at NJD

Western Conference

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC2) Winnipeg Jets
Game 1: Tuesday, April 18, 7 p.m. at VGK (ESPN2)
Game 2: Thursday, April 20, 10 p.m. at VGK (TBS)
Game 3: Saturday, April 22, 10 p.m. at WPG (TBS)
Game 4: Monday, April 24, 10 p.m. at WPG (ESPN)
Game 5*: Thursday, April 27 at VGK
Game 6*: Saturday, April 29 at WPG
Game 7*: Monday, May 1 at VGK

(2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (3) Los Angeles Kings
Game 1: Monday, April 17, 10 p.m. at EDM (ESPN)
Game 2: Wednesday, April 19, 10 p.m. at EDM (ESPN)
Game 3: Friday, April 21, 10 p.m. at LAK (TNT)
Game 4: Sunday, April 23, 9 p.m. at LAK (TBS)
Game 5*: Tuesday, April 25 at EDM
Game 6*: Saturday, April 29 at LAK
Game 7*: Monday, May 1 at EDM

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Minnesota Wild
Game 1: Monday, April 17, 9:30 p.m. at DAL (ESPN2)
Game 2: Wednesday, April 19, 9:30 p.m. at DAL (ESPN2)
Game 3: Friday, April 21, 10 p.m. at MIN (TBS)
Game 4: Sunday, April 23, 6:30 p.m. at MIN (TBS)
Game 5*: Tuesday, April 25 at DAL
Game 6*: Friday, April 28 at MIN
Game 7*: Sunday, April 30 at DAL

(1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC1) Seattle Kraken
Game 1: Tuesday, April 18, 10 p.m. at COL (ESPN)
Game 2: Thursday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. at COL (ESPN)
Game 3: Saturday, April 22, 10 p.m. at SEA (TBS)
Game 4: Monday, April 24, 10 p.m. at SEA (TBS)
Game 5*: Wednesday, April 26 at COL
Game 6*: Friday, April 28 at SEA
Game 7*: Sunday, April 30 at COL