Table of Contents
The Stanley Cup playoffs are the most exciting time of year for hockey fans. The first round of the 2025 NHL playoffs kicked off on April 19, with a matchup between the St. Louis Blues and the Winnipeg Jets. The playoffs are a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and athleticism, with teams competing for the coveted Stanley Cup.
When Do the Stanley Cup Playoffs Start?
The first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs kicked off on April 19 with a matchup between the St. Louis Blues and the Winnipeg Jets. Teams generally play every other day, with games scheduled through May 4 if necessary. The dates for the second round, third round (conference finals), and Stanley Cup final will depend on how the first series pans out. The final will take place no later than June 23. You can check out the full schedule on the official NHL website.
What Channels Are the NHL Playoffs On?
If you have cable or access to a cable login, live games will air on the ESPN/ESPN2/ABC and TNT/truTV/TBS family of networks throughout the postseason. Each series is not strictly designated to one broadcaster — for example, games in a series could air on TNT, ABC, and ESPN within the same week. You can check out the official playoffs schedule on NHL.com to find out which channel to tune into for specific games.
How Can I Watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs Without Cable?
If you don’t have cable access or a cable login, you’ll need at least one streaming service to catch all the playoff games live. To watch games that air on the TNT family of networks, you can either tune in through the Max app or via a live TV streaming provider like Sling TV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV. You’ll be able to catch a fraction of the games that air live on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 through ESPN+, but definitely not all of them. Instead, you’ll need a paid TV provider (either cable or live TV streaming via YouTube TV, Sling TV, etc.).
Best Streaming Services for the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Here’s a breakdown of the best services and streaming deals to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs live. *
| Service | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Max | $139.99/year (or $11.67/month) | Access to NHL on TNT games, including simulcast TBS and truTV games |
| Sling TV Orange | $46/month | Access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and TBS, plus 30 other channels |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/month | Access to 100+ channels, including all networks you’ll need to tune into the Stanley Cup playoffs live |
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99/month | Access to all networks, including ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 |
| Fubo TV | $54.99/month | Access to 90+ channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 |
| ESPN+ | $11.99/month | Access to select NHL games |
Can I Watch the NHL Playoffs for Free?
Penny pinchers can watch at least part of the postseason for free by utilizing free trials. You’ll have to be extremely strategic to get the most out of it, but we’ll leave all the details up to you. Here are your options. *
- YouTube TV: 20-minute preview, then 5-day free trial
- Fubo TV: 7-day free trial
- Hulu + Live TV: 3-day free trial
- ESPN+: 11.99/month (or as part of the $16.99/month Disney+ bundle)
Conclusion
The Stanley Cup playoffs are an exhilarating experience for hockey fans. With the first round kicking off in mid-April, you can catch all the action on various channels, including ESPN, TNT, and ABC. If you don’t have cable access or a cable login, you can watch the games live through streaming services like Sling TV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV. With the right streaming service, you can enjoy the entire postseason without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan or just looking for an exciting sporting event, the Stanley Cup playoffs are a must-watch. So, grab your popcorn, get comfortable, and enjoy the thrill of the Stanley Cup playoffs!
