How to Watch Your Favorite NHL Team without Cable in 2017
It’s time to get back out on the ice for the 2017–2018 NHL season. Over the past few years, it’s gotten easier to watch NHL games even if you don’t have cable.
While previously there were only good options for those who wanted to watch an out-of-market package online, now there are even options for those who live in the same city as their home team.
If you live in the same city as your favorite team
Lucky for you, there are now options to stream your favorite team online, even if you don’t subscribe to a traditional cable or satellite service.
For American Viewers
Since last season, one of the biggest changes is that there are now 6 providers that offer Live TV Streaming including regional sports networks.
- DIRECTV NOW — Click here for a 7-day free trial
- fuboTV — Click here for a free 7-day free trial
- Hulu Live TV — Click here for a 7-day free trial
- Playstation Vue — Click here for a 5-day free trial
- Sling TV — Click here for a 7-day free trial
- YouTube TV — Click here for a 14-day free trial
National Telecasts
All the services include NBC Sports Network in their basic plan, so you will get all the nationally televised NHL games.
- NBC Sports Network (99 national games): Included in all services
Additionally, DIRECTV NOW includes NHL Network in their $60 “Go Big” package and Sling TV includes it in their $10 “Sports Extra” pack.
- NHL Network (~100 national games): Included in DIRECTV Now “Go Big” and Sling TV “Sports Extra” plans
Regional Telecasts
Most of your team’s games will be on a Regional Sports Network (RSN) like Fox Sports Detroit, NBC Sports Washington, NESN, or MSG Network.
- Regional Sports Network: Included in all services — DIRECTV NOW ($50+) and Playstation Vue ($45+) require an upgraded plan
While most of the services includes RSNs from Fox Sports and NBC Sports, we suggest checking out our NHL Team Streaming Tool to find out which service will get you the most games of your favorite team at the best price.
For instance, MSG (Rangers, Sabres) and MSG+ (Devils, Islanders) are only available on fuboTV, while NESN (Bruins) is only available on YouTube TV & Playstation Vue.
Sometimes if a game is on an overflow channel (like NBC Sports Washington+ or Fox Sports West+) you might have to use your TV Everywhere credentials in the NBC Sports, Fox Sports Go, or MSG Go apps.
Unfortunately, none of the streaming services offer AT&T SportsNet (Penguins, Golden Knights) or Altitude (Avs).
Check out our NHL Team Streaming Tool to find the best service for your team
For Canadian Viewers
While none of the US-based Live TV Streaming Services work in Canada, you do still have an option.
For $25/month, you can subscribe to Sportsnet NOW which will include regional matchups for Oilers, Flames, Canucks, and Leafs.
Additionally, you’ll get Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hockey and Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey game, and the entire 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs
If you live in the different city as your favorite team
For US Viewers
Your only option to stream your favorite team while out-of-market is to subscribe to NHL.TV. This is the online version of NHL Center Ice.
You will be able to stream games on a wide range of smartphones, tablets, and connected TV devices including Apple TV and Roku.
It is $140 to watch every team or you can pay $112 to watch a single team. If you are a student, you can save 35% on NHL.TV by just using your Student ID.
While you’ll be able to watch most of your team’s games — note that all games that air on NBC, NBC Sports Network, and NHL Network will be blacked out.
We suggest adding one of the above Live TV Streaming Services if you want to watch nationally televised games.
Click here to subscribe to NHL.TV
For Canadian Viewers
If you live in Canada, the NHL.TV equivalent is called Rogers NHL Live. You will get over 1,000 national and out-of-market games.
Click here to subscribe to Rogers NHL Live
Recap
For US Viewers
- If you live in the same city as your favorite team — subscribe to a Live TV Streaming Service
- If you in a different city than your favorite team — subscribe to NHL.TV
For Canadian Viewers
- If you live in the same city as your favorite team — subscribe to Sportsnet NOW
- If you in a different city than your favorite team — subscribe to Rogers NHL Live
