How To Watch the 2024 NHL Playoffs Without Cable
By Staff• Edited by Lisa Holden • Updated Dec 11, 2023
The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs officially begin on April 22, 2024, with 16 teams competing for the Stanley Cup. The Stanley Cup finals begin on June 13.
The 2024 NHL playoffs will be broadcast across five channels: ABC, TNT, TBS, ESPN, and ESPN2. Half of both the first and second-round games will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC, while the other half will be broadcast on TBS and TNT. Some playoff games are scheduled for simulcasting on regional sports networks.
But the Stanley Cup Finals will be broadcast exclusively on ABC and ESPN.
While you can watch the games on cable and satellite, they’re conveniently available on live TV streaming services—including Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV. And while there are a variety of streaming options available, it’s best to choose the option that will allow you to watch all of the games.
As with a regular cable or satellite TV plan, you’ll also have to consider the pros and cons of each streaming service. Some streaming services are pricier than others and have different devices that are supported. (We all understand the importance of budgeting with inflation at an all-time high!)
6 Best Streaming Services To Watch The 2024 NHL Playoffs
1. Hulu + Live TV
With Hulu + Live TV, subscribers of the base plan get access to ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TBS, and TNT. Overall, subscribers will get access to more than 90 live channels, plus Hulu’s entire streaming library (including Disney+ and ESPN+).
Subscribers of the premium plan will enjoy these live channels, the streaming library, and additional content on Disney+ and ESPN+.
Subscribers will also enjoy 50 hours of DVR recording.
Supported devices for Hulu + Live TV
- Desktops and laptops: Most Mac and PC browsers
- Smart TVs: Select models of LG TV, Samsung TV, Android TV, and Roku TV
- Smartphones and tablets: Android 5.0 and up, iOS 11 and up, and the Amazon Fire tablets
- Game consoles: Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
- Smart home devices: The Amazon Echo Show
- TV streaming media players: Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Five TV Stick, Chromecast, Roku, and Apple TV (4th generation and up)
2. Sling TV
Sling TV is the most affordable multi-channel streaming service for streaming the NHL playoffs. You’ll need to sign up for Sling Blue if you want to watch NBC Sports and NBC broadcast network (where it’s available).
Other channels available under Sling Blue include TBS, IFC, FOX Sports, and the NFL Network. Sling Orange carries ESPN.
While Sling TV doesn’t carry ABC, if you pair the subscription with ESPN+, you can watch all of the games that air on ABC. Subscribers also get 50 hours of DVR streaming and they can stream up to three devices simultaneously.
Supported devices for Sling TV
- Desktops and laptops: Chrome on Windows and Mac are highly recommended
- Smart TVs: Roku TV, Mi TV, Android TV (4.4 and up), Samsung TV (2016 - 2018 models), LG TV (Web OS 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0; select 2016 - 2018 models)
- Smartphones and tablets: Amazon Fire Tablets, Android 4.4 and up, iOS 11 and up
- Game consoles: Xbox One
- TV streaming media players: Roku (LT and up), AirTV, all versions of Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV (4th generation and up), Chromecast
3. YouTube TV
YouTube TV subscribers get access to more than 100 channels (including TNT, ABC, ESPN, NBC, and NBC Sports). Great features include unlimited DVR space, six accounts to share with your household, and access to numerous sports channels.
Supported devices for YouTube TV
- Desktops and laptops: The majority of Mac and PC browsers
- Smart TVs: selected models of Android TV, Hisense, and Sharp; LG TV (2016+ models only), Vizio (selected SmartCast models), and Samsung TV (2016+ models only)
- Smartphones and tablets: iOS 9.1 and up, Android 5.0 and up
- Game consoles: Xbox One
- TV streaming media players: Most models of Roku and Chromecast, Apple TV (4th generation and up), Amazon Fire TV
4. Fubo
Fubo is the largest cable-free sports streaming option on the market right now. Fubo also has live ESPN coverage, allowing you to stream both the NHL playoffs and the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Starter package carries NBC, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, and other sports channels. Other add-ons to the Starter package include 250 hours of DVR storage (with the option to upgrade for additional storage space) and the ability to log up to three screens simultaneously.
On the downside, Fubo does not have TNT, which isn’t great for NHL fans.
Supported devices for Fubo
- Desktops and laptops: The majority of Mac and PC browsers
- Smart TVs: Android TV 4.4
- *Smartphones and tablets: **All recent Android and iOS models
- *Game consoles: **N/A
- TV streaming media players: Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick (1st generation and up), Apple TV (4th generation and up)
5. DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as AT&T TV, DirecTV Stream’s Entertainment package has more than 75 channels, including ESPN, TNT, NBC Sports Network, the local NBC Sports Network, CBS, and ABC.
Notable features include unlimited cloud DVR storage and device support for every market-leading operating system and device.
Supported devices for DirecTV Stream
- Desktops and laptops: The Safari and Chrome browsers are recommended
- Smart TVs: Chromecast Built-in TV, Roku TV (7000X), Android TV (4.4 and up), Mi TV, Amazon Fire TV Edition smart TV (2nd generation and up), Samsung TV (2017 and 2018 models),
- Smartphones and tablets: iOS 10 and up, all Amazon Fire tablets, Android 5.0 and up
- Game consoles: N/A
- TV streaming media players: Amazon Fire TV (2nd generation and up; 1st generation for the Cube), Apple TV (4th generation and up; 5th generation and up for 4K), most models of Roku, Chromecast (2nd generation and up)
6. Peacock
Owned by NBC, Peacock TV is pretty basic and costs the least out of our listed options. On the plus side, subscribers get access to NBC Sports Network and their local NBC broadcast network. This allows them to watch the 2024 NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup Finals without having to pay for a pricey subscription at a multichannel streaming service.
Supported devices for Peacock
- Desktops and laptops: Most Mac and PC browsers
- Smart TVs: Select models of LG TV, Samsung TV, Android TV, Vizio, and Roku TV
- Smartphones and tablets: Android 6.0 and up, iOS 14 and up, and the Amazon Fire tablets
- Game consoles: Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Playstation 4, and Playstation 5
- TV streaming media players: Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Five TV Stick, Chromecast, Roku, and Apple TV (4th generation and up)
Sam Cook • Author
Sam Cook is a full-time content strategist by day, a part-time freelance content writer since 2015. In another life, he was a high school English teacher for nearly a decade. Based in sunny New Orleans, he writes long-form educational content on technology, including Insurtech, Fintech, HRtech, and content streaming.
Lisa Holden • Editor
Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.