How to Watch The 25'-26' NHL Season Live: Stream Every Hat Trick and Big Hit This Season

Where to watch NHL games and playoffs online in 2025

NHL regular-season games will be available across a variety of networks, beginning with regional sports networks (RSNs) in each local market. Out-of-market fans can catch these RSN broadcasts via ESPN Plus, while national matchups will air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Plus, NHL Network, and TNT. Here’s a breakdown of the primary channels where you can watch NHL games and how to access them.

The NHL 2025-2026 season: Important schedule dates for you to know

• October 3–4, 2025 – NHL Global Series: Buffalo Sabers vs. New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia.

• October 7, 2025 – NHL Opening Night: Florida Panthers raise their first Stanley Cup championship banner before taking on the Boston Bruins.

• October 21, 2025 – NHL Frozen Frenzy: All 32 teams play, with staggered start times throughout the night.

• November 6–7, 2025 – NHL Global Series: Dallas Stars vs. Florida Panthers in Tampere, Finland.

• December 31, 2025 – Winter Classic: St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field.

• February 11–19, 2026 – NHL 4 Nations Face-Off: Tournament featuring Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the U.S., held in Montreal and Boston.

• March 1, 2026 – NHL Stadium Series: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium.

• April 16, 2026 – Final Day of the Regular Season.

• April 18, 2026 – Stanley Cup Playoffs Begin.

Watch the 25'-26' NHL Season Live on DIRECTV With a 5-Day Free Trial

DIRECTV remains one of the few streaming services that lets you watch nearly every local and national NHL broadcast in 2025–26 without long-term contracts. The Entertainment plan includes 90+ channels, featuring ABC, ESPN, and TNT; upgrade to Choice to access regional stations like FanDuel Sports Network, or go with Ultimate if you also want NHL Network. 

With the BYOD plan, all you'll need is something to stream on and DIRECTV will handle the rest. DIRECTV is one of the best ways to catch almost every matchup this season. Plus, it currently offers a five-day free trial.

Watch NHL Games with a 3-Day Free Trial on Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV remains one of the top choices for streaming NHL action during the 2025–2026 season. Its popular package includes 95+ channels, featuring major sports networks like ABC, ESPN, and TNT. While NHL Network isn’t available and regional sports networks (RSNs) are limited, Hulu + Live TV makes up for it with the Disney Bundle — giving subscribers access to more than 1,000 out-of-market NHL games and 75 national matchups on ESPN Plus.

Watch NHL games on Sling TV and get 50% off your first month of streaming

If you’re looking for an affordable way to stream NHL games in the 2025–2026 season, Sling TV is one of the best budget-friendly options available. With Sling Orange, you’ll get access to major sports networks like ESPN and TNT, while Sling Blue includes TNT for key national matchups. Fans can upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on to watch even more hockey on NHL Network.  

Local channel availability, including ABC, CBS, and Fox, depends on your market and is accessible through Sling Blue or the combined Orange & Blue plan.

Watch NHL Games Live on Fubo with a 5-Day Free Trial

Fubo remains one of the best streaming platforms for hockey fans in the 2025–2026 NHL season. Known as the original sports-first streaming service, Fubo’s Pro plan includes 200+ channels, featuring major networks like ABC, ESPN, and extensive regional sports coverage for local teams. You’ll also get access to additional sports content across channels such as beIN Sports, NFL Network, Golf Channel, and FS1.

Right now, Fubo offers a 5-day free trial for new users, giving fans a chance to explore live NHL coverage and the full channel lineup before committing to a subscription.

Watch NHL games on YouTube TV with a new 2-day free trial

YouTube TV is one of the best ways to stream NHL games live during the 2025–2026 season, offering a balanced mix of sports and entertainment channels. The base plan includes ABC, ESPN, and TNT—covering most nationally televised NHL matchups—along with popular networks like Fox, PBS, FS1, CNN, NFL Network, E!, and The Disney Channel. YouTube TV remains a top choice for hockey fans looking to watch live NHL action without a cable subscription.

Select out-of-market games on ESPN Plus

If you love streaming NHL games, ESPN Plus is the ultimate destination for nonstop hockey action throughout the 2025–26 regular season. Now in the fifth year of its partnership with the NHL, ESPN Plus will stream more than 1,000 out-of-market games, giving fans access to live matchups almost every night. In addition, ESPN produces 75 nationally televised games each season that air exclusively on ESPN Plus and Hulu, making it a must-have service for dedicated hockey fans.

FAQ

How can I watch NHL games for free?

You can catch select NHL games for free on ABC during the regular season and playoffs using a digital antenna. However, to stream most matchups, you’ll need a live TV streaming service that includes key networks like ESPN, NHL Network, and TNT, along with your regional sports network for local coverage. ESPN Plus is another great option for out-of-market NHL games, and several streaming platforms offer free trials lasting up to seven days, giving fans a chance to watch games at no cost.

Do you get every NHL game on ESPN Plus?

ESPN Plus doesn’t stream all 1,312 regular-season NHL games, but it does feature over 1,000 out-of-market matchups along with 75 nationally televised games. However, local market games are subject to blackout restrictions, meaning you’ll need another service to watch your hometown team live.

What is the cheapest way to get NHL games in October 2025?

ESPN Plus provides the most affordable way to stream a large portion of NHL games in 2025. While it doesn’t include many national matchups, it remains an excellent budget-friendly option for accessing out-of-market NHL action.