The best time on the hockey calendar is here, as 16 teams embark on the quest for the Stanley Cup.
The 2023 NHL playoffs kick off on Monday. There are a number of intriguing matchups on deck to start the postseason, highlighted by the 2022 first-round rematch between the Maple Leafs and Lightning.
MORE: Watch 2023 NHL playoff games on ESPN with Fubo
ESPN and TNT are once again the homes for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Like last year, the two networks are dividing up the games through the first three rounds, before TNT takes over as the lone provider of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
For those that are without a cable package, don't fear. The Sporting News has fans covered on how to live stream the 2023 NHL playoffs without cable.
MORE: Watch the 2023 NHL playoffs on TNT with Sling TV
How to watch the 2023 NHL playoffs without cable
- Live stream (U.S.): ESPN+, SlingTV, Fubo
- Live stream (Canada): SN NOW, CBC Gem
Fans in the United States looking to stream the NHL playoffs have options. Games on ESPN's platforms can be streamed through ESPN+ or through Fubo, which offers a free trial. Fubo also offers NHL Network for fans who just can't get enough puck talk.
TNT games can be streamed through SlingTV.
Both ESPN and TNT games can be streamed either on the network's website or in their apps, however, a cable subscription is required.
For the Canadian audience, games on Sportsnet are available to stream on SN NOW. Any contests on CBC can be streamed through CBC Gem.
What channel are the 2023 NHL playoffs on?
- TV channel (U.S.): ESPN, ABC, TNT, TBS
- TV channel (Canada): Sportsnet, CBC
The NHL playoffs will be split in the United States between the ESPN family of networks and Turners. The two media corporations are in the second year of their seven-year contracts with the league.
In the first round, Saturday night games will air on ABC. Other first-round contests may air on ESPN and TNT's other channels, such as ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, TBS or TruTV.
ESPN and TNT are splitting the second-round series, as well as the conference final. Since ESPN aired the Stanley Cup Final last year, it is TNT's turn, the first time the network will broadcast hockey's championship series.
In Canada, all the playoff games will be aired on Sportsnet and CBC.
NHL playoff schedule 2023
(All times in Eastern )
(* = If necessary)
Monday, April 17
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Hurricanes vs. Islanders | ESPN2, SN360, TVAS2 | 7 p.m. |
| Game 1 | Bruins vs. Panthers | ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS | 7:30 p.m. |
| Game 1 | Stars vs. Wild | ESPN2, SN360, TVAS2 | 9:30 p.m. |
| Game 1 | Oilers vs. Kings | ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS | 10 p.m. |
Tuesday, April 18
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Devils vs. Rangers | TBS, SN360, TVAS2 | 7 p.m. |
| Game 1 | Maple Leafs vs. Lightning | ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS | 7:30 p.m. |
| Game 1 | Golden Knights vs. Jets | ESPN2, SNW, TVAS2 | 9:30 p.m. |
| Game 1 | Avalanche vs. Kraken | ESPN, SN360, TVAS | 10 p.m. |
Wednesday, April 19
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 2 | Hurricanes vs. Islanders | ESPN2, SN360, TVAS | 7 p.m. |
| Game 2 | Bruins vs. Panthers | ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS | 7:30 p.m. |
| Game 2 | Stars vs. Wild | ESPN2, SN360, TVAS | 9:30 p.m. |
| Game 2 | Oilers vs. Kings | ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS | 10 p.m. |
Thursday, April 20
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 2 | Maple Leafs vs. Lightning | ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS | 7 p.m. |
| Game 2 | Devils vs. Rangers | TBS, SN360, TVAS | 7:30 p.m. |
| Game 2 | Avalanche vs. Kraken | ESPN, SN360, FX, TVAS | 9:30 p.m. |
| Game 2 | Golden Knights vs. Jets | ESPN2, SNW, TVAS2 | 10 p.m. |
Friday, April 21
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 3 | Islanders vs. Hurricanes | TBS, SN1, TVAS | 7 p.m. |
| Game 3 | Panthers vs. Bruins | TNT, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS | 7:30 p.m. |
| Game 3 | Wild vs. Stars | TBS, SN1, TVAS | 9:30 p.m. |
| Game 3 | Kings vs. Oilers | TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS | 10 p.m. |
Saturday, April 22
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 3 | Jets vs. Golden Knights | TBS, SN, CBC, TVAS | 4 p.m. |
| Game 3 | Lightning vs. Maple Leafs | TBS, SN, CBC, TVAS | 7 p.m. |
| Game 3 | Rangers vs. Devils | ABC, SN1, City, TVAS | 8 p.m. |
| Game 3 | Kraken vs. Avalanche | TBS, SN360, TVAS | 10 p.m. |
Sunday, April 23
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 4 | Islanders vs. Hurricanes | TNT, SN360, TVAS | 1 p.m. |
| Game 4 | Panthers vs. Bruins | TNT, SN1, TVAS | 3:30 p.m. |
| Game 4 | Wild vs. Stars | TBS, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS | 6:30 p.m. |
| Game 4 | Kings vs. Oilers | ESPN, SNW, TVAS | 9 p.m. |
Monday, April 24
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 4 | Rangers vs. Devils | ESPN, SN360, TVAS | 7 p.m. |
| Game 4 | Lightning vs. Maple Leafs | TBS, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC | 7:30 p.m. |
| Game 4 | Jets vs. Golden Knights | ESPN, SNW, TVAS | 9:30 p.m. |
| Game 4 | Kraken vs. Avalanche | TBS, SN360, TVAS | 10 p.m. |
Tuesday, April 25
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 5* | Hurricanes vs. Islanders | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5* | Stars vs. Wild | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5* | Oilers vs. Kings | TBD | TBD |
Wednesday, April 26
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 5* | Bruins vs. Panthers | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5* | Avalanche vs. Kraken | TBD | TBD |
Thursday, April 27
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 5* | Maple Leafs vs. Lightning | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5* | Devils vs. Rangers | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5* | Golden Knights vs. Jets | TBD | TBD |
Friday, April 28
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 6* | Islanders vs. Hurricanes | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | Panthers vs. Bruins | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | Wild vs. Stars | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | Kraken vs. Avalanche | TBD | TBD |
Saturday, April 29
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 6* | Lightning vs. Maple Leafs | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | Rangers vs. Devils | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | Jets vs. Golden Knights | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | Kings vs. Oilers | TBD | TBD |
Sunday, April 30
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 7* | Hurricanes vs. Islanders | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | Bruins vs. Panthers | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | Stars vs. Wild | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | Avalanche vs. Kraken | TBD | TBD |
Monday, May 1
| Game | Matchup | TV Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 7* | Maple Leafs vs. Lightning | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | Devils vs. Rangers | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | Golden Knights vs. Jets | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | Oilers vs. Kings | TBD | TBD |
