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With the end of the 2025-26 NHL regular season, the best teams are vying to win the famous Stanley Cup trophy. There are plenty of great players making the playoffs — Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Jason Robertson, Nikita Kucherov, Leon Draisaitl, Cale Makar and others — but only one team can pull off the victory.
The NHL playoffs continue until the end of the NHL Stanley Cup Final on Sunday, June 21 — if the championship series continues seven games.
At a Glance: Watch the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs live online
- when: Until June 21
- TV channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT and truTV
- Stream online: DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, ESPN Unlimited, HBO Max
Keep reading to find out how to watch the 2026 NHL Playoffs. In the meantime, check out the full schedule of playoff games here, or the tournament bracket here.
How to watch the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs without cable
While the NHL Playoffs are televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT and truTV, games can be streamed on online cable streaming services, such as DirecTV, Sling and Hulu + Live TV. Postseason games are also available to stream on platforms like ESPN Unlimited and HBO Max.
First, learn how to watch the NHL playoffs with and without a cable subscription.
Editor’s Choice
DirectTV
125+ channels
Watch the 2026 NHL Playoffs with DirecTV, which carries ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT and truTV, along with over 125 other channels – like NHL Network, CBS Sports Network, FOX Sports, NFL Network, FanDuel TV and more. Sports fans can watch NHL games for free with a five-day trial of the cable streaming device. After that, you can either cancel the service or continue watching, with prices starting at $59.99 for the first month of service ($94.99 per month after that) for the starters’ Choice package with the streamer’s current deals.
sling
Please note: Prices and channel availability depend on your local TV market.
Sling is one of the most affordable options for new live TV subscribers who want to watch the NHL playoffs on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, and truTV with the Orange + Blue plan with prices starting at $60.99 per month. Meanwhile, NHL Network is available through Sling’s Sports Extra package for an additional $11 per month. The sports package includes NBA TV, MLB Network, ESPNU, and more.
Hulu + Live TV
It comes with Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN Unlimited
To watch ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, and truTV online, subscribing to Hulu + Live TV is a great option. The streaming service includes Disney+, ESPN Unlimited, and access to 95+ live channels — like CBS Sports Network, BET, CNN, Food Network, and more — starting at $89.99 per month. In addition to live cable, Hulu + Live TV lets subscribers watch originals from Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN Unlimited. Also includes unlimited cloud DVR. Hulu also offers a free three-day trial.
ESPN Unlimited
Watch NHL games on ESPN Unlimited; Plants from $29.99 per month.
ESPN Unlimited includes all of the network’s sports channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ABC on ESPN, ESPNU, ESPNEWS and more, plus original programming, such as Pat McAfee Show, 30 for 30, McEnroe Places, Man in the arena: Tom Brady, Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball, Dion’s double play And others. It also comes with direct access to live sports from the NBA, UFC, Formula 1, MLB, and other sports leagues.
HBO Max
Sign up via Prime Video
HBO Max has the B/R Sports add-on for free, as part of its streaming service.
Available through Prime Video, HBO Max’s Sports Center has access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs starting at $10.99 per month; Note that a Prime membership ($14.99 per month or $139 per year) or a Prime Video subscription ($8.99 per month) is required.
Plus, it includes HBO Max NHL on TNTAnd American football, motorcycle racing and other sports tournaments. The service has reached movies like Sinners, Battle after battle, Barbie, Area of interest, Wonka, Avatar: Water Road And others, in addition to award-winning series such as The last of us, Hacks, White lotus And others.
How to watch the 2025-26 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on cable
NHL postseason games are broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT and truTV. You can watch through your cable TV provider, on networks’ websites and mobile apps by logging into your cable TV account — including live streaming and traditional services like DirecTV, Sling, Verizon, Xfinity and others.
