NHL Livestream Guide 2026-27: How to Watch Hockey Games Online Free

The NHL is more popular than ever thanks to shows like 'Heated Rivalry' and young stars like Macklin Celebrini and Gavin McKenna

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Hockey is back and hotter than ever, thanks to the success of shows like Heated Rivalry and Off Campus. Now, the pros are back on the ice for the official 2026-27 NHL season.

At A Glance: How to Watch NHL Games Online Without Cable

• Television: ESPN, ABC, TNT
• Streaming: DIRECTV (free trial), Hulu + Live TV, HBO Max, ESPN+
• Tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats

This year’s NHL games air nationally across ABC, ESPN and TNT and you can watch hockey on TV with any cable package that includes the three channels.

ESPN will air the most number of NHL games, followed by TNT with its long-running NHL on TNT program. ABC’s Hockey Saturday kicks off in January with 18 must-see matchups. The network will also air the 2027 NHL All Star Game live from UBS Arena in New York.

wATCH NHL WITH ANTENNA

Smart TV Indoor Digital TV Antenna

Cable cutters can access ABC and dozens of other local channels with a digital antenna like this one from Amazon. This compact indoor antenna tucks easily behind your TV or by a window and lets you watch the NHL on ABC without paying for cable.

This year’s NHL season is also streaming online, with most games (including out of market matchups) available on the ESPN+ streaming app. The TNT broadcasts are streaming live on HBO Max.

How to Watch NHL Games Online Free

There are also ways to livestream NHL games online free, without needing cable or a pricey subscription.

TOP PICK

Watch NHL Games With DIRECTV

DIRECTV is a popular streaming service that lets you watch live TV online, with a channel lineup that includes ABC, ESPN and TNT.

DIRECTV’s “MySports Genre Pack” includes all the above networks plus 20 other channels, and a free subscription ESPN+ for just $44.99/month. Don’t want to commit? Get a five-day free trial to DIRECTV here and use it to watch the NHL online without cable free.

BEST BUNDLE DEAL

Watch NHL Games With Hulu + Live TV

You can also watch NHL games online with Hulu + Live TV, which offers up more than 100 live television channels in addition to Hulu’s library of on-demand shows and movies. A subscription Hulu + Live TV also includes access to Disney+ and ESPN+, making this one of the best values in streaming.

Another great deal: Hulu + Live TV is currently 50% off right now for a limited time. Grab the deal to start streaming hockey games online without needing cable.

MOST FLEXIBLE PLANS

Watch NHL Games With Sling

Sling is another live streamer that you can use to watch NHL games online. Sling carries ESPN and TNT as part of its Sling Orange package, which starts at $45.99/month.

Only want to watch a specific game? Sling offers 1-Day, 3-Day, and week-long passes to Sling Orange starting from just $4.99. You can cancel or change your subscription at anytime.

All of the above streaming services let you livestream NHL games online from home through your computer, smartphone, tablet or smart TV. All three live streamers also offer free DVR so you can record the games you’re missing to watch back as a replay later.

NHL 2026-27 Season Odds, Favorites

This year’s NHL regular season runs from Sept. 29, 2026 to April 10, 2027, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs following immediately through June.

The Carolina Hurricanes are the defending Stanley Cup champions, after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 finals. Carolina is once again a betting favorite for the Cup this year, along with 2025 champs Florida Panthers, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Colorado Avalanche.

$1500 IN BONUS BETS

See Latest Odds & Wagers

You can see the latest NHL wagers and Stanley Cup odds on BetMGM. You can also claim a first bet offer and get $1500 paid back in bonus bets if you don’t win.*

_{*Bonus Bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms apply.}

Hockey has seen a boon in popularity following the release of Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, along with the rise of young NHL stars like Macklin Celebrini, Conor Bedard and U.S. Olympic champ Jack Hughes. All eyes will also be on the Yukon-born, 18-year-old Gavin McKenna, who was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the first-overall pick in the 2026 NHL entry draft.

GET OFFICIAL MERCH

NHL Premium Home Jerseys

From T-shirts and jerseys to hoodies and hats, you can shop official 2026-27 NHL merch online right now at Fanatics.com.

SeatGeek, meantime, announced this year that the average number of hockey tickets sold on its site increased by 24% during the week of Heated Rivalry’s buzzy season one finale in December, and that average ticket prices went up by as much as 36% following the show’s airing.