How to watch the NHL Playoffs online with a VPN
Streaming the NHL playoffs is possible with a VPN, either through free services or those offering free trials. This page will help guide you to the best platforms for watching your team’s quest to win the Stanley Cup.
Watch the NHL Playoffs on free streaming services
Stream the games on CBC Gem
Channel: ‘Live TV’
CBC Gem is a free and easy way to watch a large percentage of the NHL playoffs without spending a dime. The official NHL schedule indicates the broadcasters for every game, and if CBC is among them, you can tune in to watch without signing up with your credit card.
To stream on CBC Gem:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location in Canada.
- Head to CBC Gem and sign up for a free membership. All you’ll need to provide is your name and email address.
- Enjoy the stream!
Learn more about watching CBC Gem with ExpressVPN.
Want it on the big screen? Check out this handy guide.
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Stream the NHL playoffs with Locast.org
Channel: NBC
The American broadcast of the NHL playoffs is split between NBC and NBCSN. Locast is an excellent free option for the games broadcast on NBC. Check the schedule for the Peacock logo with no lettering beneath it; that indicates the game is on NBC and will be available to watch live on local TV through Locast.
To stream the playoffs with Locast:
- Get ExpressVPN
- Fire up the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
- Connect to a server location in the U.S. where the game is taking place
- Go to Locast.org and sign up.
- Select the market that corresponds with the server location you’re connected to.
- Tune in to the local NBC channel and enjoy the hockey!
Learn more about watching Locast with ExpressVPN.
Want it on the big screen? Check out this handy guide.
Watch the games on Peacock TV
Price: 5 USD/month
Channels: NBC, NBCSN
Peacock TV offers a number of channels for watching the NHL playoffs and comes with a seven-day free trial. To watch the NHL on Peacock:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location in the U.S.
- Go to the Peacock TV website and sign up (5 USD/month). You may need to provide a valid U.S. postal code (e.g., 10001, 48104) and pay with a U.S. credit/debit card or PayPal account.
- Enjoy the stream.
Learn more about watching Peacock TV with ExpressVPN.
Want it on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.
Watch the playoffs on NBCSN, CNBC, and USA Network
Price: 10 USD/month and up
Channel: NBCSN
A number of the playoff games will be broadcast on NBCSN, CNBC, and USA Network which are best accessed through cord-cutting services. A variety of free trials are available.
To watch:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location in the U.S.
- Head to fuboTV (65 USD/month), YouTube TV (65 USD/month), Sling TV Blue (10 USD/month and up) or Hulu+Live TV (55 USD/month), and sign up. You may need to enter a valid U.S. ZIP code (e.g., 10001, 48104).
- Enjoy the stream!
Learn more about watching fuboTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV and Hulu+Live TV with ExpressVPN.
Want it on the big screen? Check out this handy guide.
Watch the run to the Stanley Cup Finals on NHL.TV
Price: 99.99 USD for the playoffs
Although it comes with a hefty price tag, NHL.TV grants access to every NHL game without having to toggle between different broadcasters. If this convenient one-stop-shop approach is worth the price to you, a VPN can help avoid any regional blackouts.
Here’s how:
- Get ExpressVPN
- Connect to a server location where the event is NOT being aired (this way you can avoid blackouts)
- Visit NHL.TV and sign up
- Stream without any blackouts!
Want it on the big screen? Check out this handy guide.
Third round playoff matchups
Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights
It’s unusual to see a late-series matchup with such a clear favorite and underdog, but the disparity between the Golden Knights and Canadiens on paper is profound. Vegas should comfortably handle a Montreal team with middling offensive capabilities, but the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets probably liked their chances against the Habs, too. This should be a low-scoring series as both teams’ goaltenders—Carey Price and Marc-André Fleury—enter it with a goals-against-average below two.
[Series tied 1-1]
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Islanders
The Lightning’s march to a Stanley Cup repeat now goes through a team notorious for making life difficult on offensively-gifted opponents. The Islanders play a brutally-effective brand of hockey that clogs up the neutral zone and makes the game a conservative slog, which could be what it takes to slow down Tampa’s explosive attack. But even if the Lightning are forced to play tighter-checking hockey that hardly means they’re doomed thanks to the team’s outstanding goaltending and rock-solid defense.
[Series tied 1-1]
Conn Smythe Trophy candidates
Although the winner of the playoffs’ most prestigious award is extremely hard to forecast until we know who’s playing in the Stanley Cup finals, here are a few possible candidates to bring home the hardware:
Carey Price, G, Montreal Canadiens
No one expected the Canadiens to make it this far, and there’s no better single explanation than the play of Price. The 33-year-old appeared past his prime during the regular season, but he’s found a new level in the playoffs and shut the door on the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets. If the Habs win it all, Price is by far the best candidate to win the award.
Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
After missing the entire regular season, Kucherov has returned and looks like the player who was the NHL’s MVP and top point producer in the 2018-19 season. The Lightning are a solid bet to repeat, and if Kucherov is their best offensive weapon, he’ll have a strong comeback narrative backing his Conn Smythe candidacy.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, C, New York Islanders
If the Islanders win the Stanley Cup, it will be difficult to choose a Conn Smythe winner because the team’s success is predicated on team contributions rather than individual brilliance. That said, Pageau has been an unbelievable two-way center for New York, providing offensive punch and logging hard minutes against other teams’ top threats.
Marc-André Fleury, G, Vegas Golden Knights
Like Price, there have been times recently when it seemed like Fleury’s best days were behind him. However, the 36-year-old had an outstanding bounce-back season and carried his momentum into the playoffs. Keeping the deadly Colorado Avalanche offense to just six goals over three games as the Golden Knights came back from a 3-1 series deficit was an impressive feat, and if he can drive Vegas to a title, he’ll likely be rewarded with the Conn Smythe.
Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning
While Hedman brought home the trophy last season, that doesn’t mean he’s not a threat to repeat. The Swedish defenseman plays a truly complete game, logs huge minutes on special teams, and manages to put up gaudy offensive numbers. Hedman is indispensable to a club that’s got a great chance to win it all.
2021 NHL calendar
Here is a list of some of the most important 2021 NHL playoff and offseason events. Dates listed here may be subject to change.
| Event | Date |
| First game of the NHL Playoffs | May 15, 2021 |
| Last possible game of the Stanley Cup Finals | July 9, 2021 |
| Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft | July 21, 2021 |
| NHL Draft | July 23-24, 2021 |
| Free agency begins | July 28, 2021 |