How to watch NHL games in 2025 with a VPN
Bypass streaming restrictions on your school or office Wi-Fi and learn how to watch NHL games live from anywhere:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location that matches the broadcaster you want to watch. For example, United States hockey fans can connect to a server in the U.S. to catch games on Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV.
- It’s game time!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Why you need a VPN to watch NHL games
Your internet provider might slow your connection if it thinks you’re streaming too much, causing laggy streams and buffering. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, keeping your online activity private from your ISP, so you can bypass this type of throttling and watch NHL games without any issues.
If you’re working at night and the Wi-Fi at your job blocks streaming services, you could miss out on watching some games. VPN encryption hides your activity from the network, allowing you to unblock streaming platforms with ease. Just make sure you don’t celebrate too loudly when your favorite team scores.
Best VPN for watching the NHL in 2025
ExpressVPN has a global network of servers in 105 countries and 12 U.S. states, making it easy to find one in your preferred location. Our service works seamlessly with sports streaming platforms that broadcast NHL games, such as NHL.TV, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV. Our 10-Gbps servers give you a blazing-fast VPN connection, so you can enjoy pixel-perfect video quality, even in UHD.
You can connect up to 8 devices to the VPN at once with a single account, so you can watch any game of your choosing on your smart TV while your roommates stream movies and shows on their smartphones, gaming consoles, and other devices. Try ExpressVPN now with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to watch out-of-market NHL games with NHL.TV
In the U.S. and Canada, blackouts are put in place to protect local broadcasters’ viewership in a given team’s local broadcast area. If you’re streaming from a different country, every game is effectively “out-of-market,” meaning that there are no blackouts to worry about.
NHL.TV offers various packages, including one for those who only want to watch a specific team. Prices vary by country. The NHL’s official website has a full list of countries where NHL.TV is available.
Is ISP throttling ruining your streaming quality and enjoyment of the game? Connect to one of ExpressVPN’s servers in 105 countries to bypass activity-based throttling and enjoy picture-perfect streaming quality wherever you are.
How to watch NHL games online via regional sports networks
As in Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association, most NHL games air locally on regional sports networks. However, not every streaming service offers every RSN, and YouTube TV does not provide Bally Sports Networks in any area. As of October 2024, eight of the NHL’s 32 teams play on Bally Sports Network RSNs.
As for the other 24 teams, some like the Chicago Blackhawks (Chicago Sports Network), New York Rangers (MSG Network), and Washington Capitals (Monumental Sports Network) either own or co-own their own regional sports networks.
Where to watch NHL games without cable
| Service | Channels | Regional sports networks available | Free trial length |
| DirecTV Stream | ABC, ESPN, NHL Network (Choice plan and up), TBS, TNT, truTV, select regional sports networks | Altitude Sports, Bally Sports (Detroit, Florida, Midwest, North, Ohio, South, Southwest, Sun, West) Chicago Sports Network, Monumental Sports Network, MSG, MSG Western, NBC Sports California, New England Sports Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh, Root Sports | 5 days |
| Fubo | ABC, ESPN, NHL TV (Sports Plus add-on), select regional sports networks | Altitude Sports (Colorado Avalanche), Bally Sports (Detroit, Florida, Midwest, North, Ohio, South, Southwest, Sun, West); Chicago Sports Network, Monumental Sports Network, MSG, MSG Western, NBC Sports (California, Philadelphia) New England Sports Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh, Root Sports | 7 days |
| Hulu + Live TV | ABC, ESPN, TBS, TNT, truTV, select regional sports networks | Chicago Sports Network, Monumental Sports Network, NBC Sports California | 3 days |
| YouTube TV | ABC, ESPN, TBS, TNT, truTV | N/A | Varies |
| Sling TV | ABC, ESPN, NHL TV (Sports Extra), TNT, select regional sports networks | Monumental Sports Network, NBC Sports California | N/A |
Prefer to watch on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.
How to watch NHL games for free in Germany
In Germany, you can watch select NHL games for free on ProSieben and its sports streaming platform, Ran.de. The platform also gives you access to live soccer, the NBA, motorsports, and other popular sports.
How to watch the NHL using Amazon Prime Video
You can watch select NHL games featuring Canadian teams on Amazon Prime Video during the 2024-25 season. If you’re a new customer or are returning after more than 12 months without a subscription, you can use Prime Video’s 30-day free trial to watch some of these games for free, as well as enjoy the Prime Video library in Canada. You’ll need a local payment method to subscribe.
We’ll keep this page updated with more ways to watch NHL games as they’re announced.
Live stream the NHL on all your streaming devices
ExpressVPN offers up to eight simultaneous connections across many devices, allowing you to live stream NHL games on your smartphone, tablet, gaming console, smart TV, and more. Whether you’re watching the NHL at home or on the go, we’ve got an app for you.
2024-25 NHL season: key dates
The 2024-25 NHL season officially begins Tuesday, October 8. Here are some key dates to keep in mind throughout the league’s 108th season.
| Date | Event |
| October 4-5, 2024 | NHL Global Series (New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres in Prague) |
| October 8, 2024 | NHL regular season begins |
| October 22, 2024 | Frozen Frenzy |
| November 1-2, 2024 | NHL Global Series (Florida Panthers vs. Dallas Stars in Finland) |
| December 31, 2024 | NHL Winter Classic (Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field in Chicago) |
| January 18, 2025 | Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada |
| February 12-20, 2025 | NHL 4 Nations Face-Off |
| March 1, 2025 | NHL Stadium Series (Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio) |
| April 19, 2025 | NHL Playoffs begin |
ExpressVPN is a VPN service not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention. Please read the ExpressVPN Terms of Service and your content provider’s Terms of Use for more details.
FAQ: About watching NHL games online
Can I use a VPN to watch the NHL from another country?
Some users might watch NHL games by connecting to a VPN server in a country other than their own, but doing so may violate copyright or the streaming service’s terms of use. ExpressVPN is a privacy and security tool, and using it to circumvent copyright is against our Terms of Service. We cannot see or control what you do while connected to our VPN, so you are responsible for ensuring that your use complies with all relevant terms and laws.
Should I use a free VPN to watch NHL games?
You can try, but free VPNs often have limited server networks, so you might not find a server in the location you need. They typically provide slower speeds and limit your bandwidth, so you may have to deal with constant buffering or disconnects during matches. ExpressVPN offers high-speed servers, so you can stream NHL games in HD or even UHD when available. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.
Can you stream NHL hockey for free?
In Germany, you can watch select NHL games for free on ProSieben and its sports streaming platform, Ran.de.
Is there a way to watch all NHL games?
If you live outside the United States or Canada, you can watch all NHL games via NHL.TV.
How can I watch NHL games in Europe?
In most European countries, you can watch NHL games via NHL.TV. Additionally, you can live stream select games for free on Ran.de in Germany.
Can you watch the NHL on Amazon Prime?
You can watch select NHL games featuring Canadian teams on Amazon Prime Video in Canada. If you’re a new customer or are returning after more than 12 months without a subscription, you can use Prime Video’s 30-day free trial to watch some of these games for free, as well as enjoy the Prime Video library in Canada. You’ll need a local payment method to subscribe.
Does YouTube TV have NHL?
Yes, YouTube TV has NHL games airing on ABC, ESPN, TBS, TNT, and truTV. However, YouTube TV does not offer the NHL Network or regional sports networks.
What is the cheapest way to stream NHL games?
As of October 2024, Sling TV is the cheapest way to stream NHL games. Please note it doesn’t offer a free trial.
How much does NHL TV cost?
The cost of NHL.TV varies depending on your country.
Is there an app to watch the NHL?
Yes, various apps allow you to watch NHL games. Notable platforms include Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, NHL.TV, and Prime Video. Please note that prices and availability vary by country.
What is the cheapest way to get the NHL Network?
As of October 2024, Sling TV is the cheapest way to watch the NHL Network. Please note the platform doesn’t offer a free trial.
How can I watch the NHL outside the U.S.?
You can watch NHL games outside the U.S. by subscribing to NHL.TV, unless you are in Canada. In Canada, you must subscribe to other platforms such as Prime Video or TSN to live stream NHL games.
Can I use a VPN to watch NHL games?
Yes, you can use a VPN to watch NHL games. The benefits of live streaming hockey with a VPN include encrypting your internet traffic, which hides your activity from the network, allowing you to unblock streaming platforms easily. It also enables you to bypass activity-based ISP throttling.
Does Europe have the NHL?
Although Europe has no NHL teams, European viewers can watch NHL games via NHL.TV. Additionally, in Germany, you can live stream select games for free on Ran.de.
Is the NHL on Hulu free?
No, NHL games on Hulu are not free, but you can use the platform’s 3-day free trial to watch a few games for free.
