NHL Network Without Cable: Stream the Essential Hockey Channel Cheaper Online

I rely on NHL Network not only for watching hockey games but also for their in-depth analysis and news coverage. Fortunately, as someone who prefers streaming services over traditional cable, I can easily access NHL Network through various live streaming platforms.

In a hurry? As much as some of us may love the game, NHL is not as popular as the NBA and NFL. As a result, none of the streaming services offer NHL Network in their base plans. But you can still get it easily and cheaply:

Why You Need a VPN Today

However, first you need a VPN to unblock US streaming services from . Our favourite is ExpressVPN. It’s definitely not the cheapest option at $4.99/month, but it just works – and across all your devices.

They have servers in 25+ US cities/states and 105 countries, which unblock access to premium streaming platforms available only in the US, as well as free “on demand” TV services worldwide.

You’ll have access to local platforms as if you were in the country, meaning you can watch BBC iPlayer as if you were in the UK, CBC Gem as if you were in Canada, plus hundreds more worldwide.

Sign Up for ExpressVPN

Hotdog users get three months free at ExpressVPN, so it’s a “no-brainer” for us. Decide for yourself with their 30 day money-back guarantee.

IMPORTANT: Once you’ve installed your VPN and connected to a US server, you’ll still need to subscribe separately to access premium streaming services.

The NHL Network is a cable channel dedicated to providing coverage of the league’s 32 franchises. Each night during the regular season, it will typically show one game featuring NHL teams playing on the East Coast and one game featuring teams playing on the West Coast.

The network will also show select preseason games as well as offer live look-ins whenever there is an opportunity to do so on a given night. Plus, it covers the later rounds of the NHL Entry Draft and the annual Hockey Hall of Fame Induction.

This network is available in most parts of the country, so there is a good chance that you’ll be able to acquire it through your favorite streaming service.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

Streaming Services With NHL Network

NHL Network is a premium cable channel. It isn’t a broadcast station like your local network affiliates. So you can’t get it with an antenna. It only comes via a third-party provider like a cable, satellite, or streaming company.

If you want to stream NHL Network on your favorite devices, you can do so through DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, and Sling TV. These services are generally available anywhere in the country and allow you to watch content on a variety of devices.

In all cases, you can cancel service at any time without paying any sort of termination fee. Furthermore, your service generally travels with you to a new home or apartment without the need to go through a formal transfer process.

Fubo

You can get the NHL Network by subscribing to Fubo (formerly called FuboTV)’s Elite package, which costs $89.99/month per month and features a total of 150+ channels. This plan comes with several other features. It’s cheaper to just get the Pro plan for $79.99/month/mo plus the Fubo Extra add-on for $7.99/mo for the same number of channels.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

NHL Network is also available as part of the Sports Plus with NFL RedZone plan for $10.99 per month. This add-on comes with roughly 25 other sports channels including NHL Network.

The base Fubo plan comes with 750 hours of cloud DVR storage and the ability to stream on 10 devices simultaneously. It also includes ABC, CBS, and other channels depending on your area.

For all the details, see our Fubo review.

Sling TV

NHL Network is not included in the Sling Orange or Sling Blue service packages, which cost $40.00/month each. However, you can add NFL Network for $11 per month with the Sports Extra add-on. It comes with 10+ other channels including MLB Network and NBA TV.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR. With the Blue plan, you can watch on up to 3 screens at the same time. With the Orange plan, you are limited to one. Find out more in our Sling TV review.

The NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Tournament is underway right now, leading up to the Frozen Four and the national title matchup on April 8. Sign up now for Sling Orange to be ready for the next game day.

DIRECTV STREAM

NHL Network is available through the DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) Ultimate package, which starts at $129.99/month. It comes with 130+ channels including a number that are premium.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free Trial

In terms of sports, you also get a total of 21 channels including MLB Network, ESPN, FS1, TNT, TBS, and CBS Sports Network. Additionally, you get access to DIRECTV STREAM’s unparalleled regional sports networks (RSNs) collection, which will allow you to watch pretty much all the games of your local team.

DIRECTV STREAM comes with unlimited cloud DVR (as long as you sign up online) and the ability to view on up to 20 devices simultaneously at home and 3 on the road.

See our DIRECTV STREAM review for more details.

Other Ways to Get NHL Network

It may be possible to get access to NHL Network content by downloading the channel’s app. However, you will still need to sign up for a cable or streaming service that offers the channel before you can get access to it.

If you’re only interested in watching live games throughout the league, it may be in your best interest to sign up for ESPN+. It provides access to most NHL games every season (blackout restrictions apply). The catch is that you can only watch out-of-market games so it isn’t a good choice for fans of the local team. But at just $10.99/month, it’s a deal — especially considering all the other stuff they air.

If you live in Canada, you can subscribe to NHL Live. It is similar to ESPN+ in that it provides access to over 1,000 out-of-market NHL games. But it focuses on hockey, of course.

As the NHL Network is partially owned by NBCUniversal, some games are simulcast on other channels such as USA. It’s also possible to see NHL Network content on Peacock, which is NBC’s primary streaming service.

Although NHL Network is not available on the biggest streaming services Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, you can find other sports networks such as ESPN. It’s also worth noting that you can find NHL Network content through the network’s traditional YouTube channel.

For cable or satellite TV subscribers who are out of market, an NHL Center Ice subscription can also provide access to NHL Network during the season.

Streaming Devices for NHL Network

You can watch NHL Network on most of the streaming devices in use:

• Amazon Fire TV
• Android mobile devices
• Apple TV
• Google Chromecast
• iOS devices (iPhone, iPad)
• Roku
• Samsung smart TVs
• Web browsers.

Both FuboTV and Sling TV work on smart TVs from LG, Vizio, and Android TV-based units. They also support Xbox One. The Oculus VR system is even supported by Sling TV.

These are not the only devices supported. Check our individual streaming services reviews for complete lists.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

Wrapping Up

The NHL Network is a cable channel owned by both the National Hockey League and NBCUniversal. In addition to coverage of select preseason and regular-season games, the network provides original programming dedicated to players, coaches, and others who make the league as successful as it is.

Generally speaking, it only takes a few minutes to sign up for a streaming service. Once your account has been activated, you can start watching content immediately.

FAQs

What’s the difference between NHL Network and NHL.TV?

The NHL Network is designed to be a comprehensive look at the sport of hockey and everything that makes the game so great. While this network does broadcast live games on most nights during the season, that isn’t its main purpose. NHL.TV was designed to show all the games of the league to hockey fans who lived outside the local market. Note that NHL.TV was shut down and most of its content moved to ESPN+.

Are games broadcast on NHL Network subject to league blackout rules?

In most cases, any games that are shown on NHL Network are subject to the league’s blackout rules. This means that if a game is being shown in your local market, you may be required to watch it on a regional sports network (RSN) instead. Both FuboTV and DIRECTV STREAM offer RSNs.

Can I watch the postseason on NHL Network?

No, the NHL Network doesn’t air any of the playoff games. Those are on ESPN and Turner channels, affordably available on Sling TV. See our guide to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, schedule, and Final on Sling TV for more info.

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Alanna Baker

Alanna Baker was the Streaming Content Editor at Hotdog.com, specializing in comprehensive streaming coverage across various genres, with a particular focus on sports and Sling TV offerings. With a background in literature and education, coupled with extensive experience in media and law, Alanna brings a unique perspective to the streaming industry.

Her expertise stems from being an early adopter of various entertainment technologies, from mail-order Netflix to modern streaming platforms. Alanna's in-depth knowledge of Sling TV's modular service and her ability to cover diverse streaming content make her a key expert in navigating the complex landscape of modern streaming options, especially in sports and entertainment.

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