NHL free live streams: How to watch hockey games without cable in 2023-24

Bryan Murphy

NHL free live streams: How to watch hockey games without cable in 2023-24 image

We are in the streaming age of television. 

Like a majority of sports in North America, the NHL can be viewed all over. From cable to streaming services, there are a plethora of ways to catch all the hockey action this season. 

In addition to local games being available on each team's respective RSNs, there will be national TV games available on ESPN and TNT, as well as select games on the NHL Network for the fans in the United States. 

MORE: Watch the NHL 2023-24 season with Fubo (free trial)

Here are the different ways you can stream games without cable, both paid and free.

NHL live streams 2023

It doesn't come as a huge surprise that the more money viewers dish out, the more games that are available to watch. 

ESPN+ is the best option for cord cutters to watch the NHL this season. You can get an ESPN+ subscription for $9.99 per month, or bundle ESPN+ (With Ads) with Disney+ (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads) for $12.99 per month.

Fubo carries all NHL games on ESPN this season, with the service offering a free trial as well. Fans can also watch in-market games through Fubo's 24 RSN channels carrying NHL games. However, you must be within the region. Users can also sign up for a Fubo Elite trial and watch NHL Network for free.

YouTubeTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV will stream nationally televised games on ESPN and TNT, providing another streaming option. However, none of these services carry NHL Network or games on RSNs. 

How to watch NHL games in 2023

The easiest way to stream NHL games this season is through cable log-ins. All of the TV services have an app for their respective RSNs that can be used to stream. 

Here's a look at where each team's games can be found.

Bally Sports

  • Anaheim Ducks
  • Carolina Hurricanes
  • Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Dallas Stars
  • Detroit Red Wings
  • Florida Panthers
  • Los Angeles Kings
  • Minnesota Wild
  • Nashville Predators
  • St. Louis Blues
  • Tampa Bay Lightning

MSG

  • Buffalo Sabres
  • New Jersey Devils
  • New York Islanders
  • New York Rangers

TSN

  • Montreal Canadiens
  • Ottawa Senators
  • Toronto Maple Leafs (split with Sportsnet)
  • Winnipeg Jets

Sportsnet

  • Calgary Flames
  • Edmonton Oilers
  • Vancouver Canucks
  • Toronto Maple Leafs (split with TSN)

NBC Sports RSN

  • Chicago Blackhawks
  • Philadelphia Flyers
  • San Jose Sharks

Scripps Sports

  • Arizona Coyotes
  • Vegas Golden Knights

Altitude Sports

  • Colorado Avalanche

AT&T SportsNet

  • Pittsburgh Penguins

NESN

  • Boston Bruins

Monumental Sports Network

  • Washington Capitals

Root Sports Northwest

  • Seattle Kraken

Blackout restrictions apply for all of these networks, meaning you'll have to watch your local team.

Other NHL live streams

When it comes to watching national games, it will depend on the network they're on. National games on cable will take place on ESPN, TNT or NHL Network. 

ESPN

On ESPN, users can either go to the ESPN app or use ESPN+, but the latter will be a paid option.

TNT 

With TNT, viewers can use the TNT app to stream the games. 

NHL Network

There is not a free option to stream games on the NHL Network. 

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.