For the first time in quite some time, the NHL playoffs are not on NBC and its family of networks.
Instead, ESPN and TNT are the host networks for hockey's postseason. It was a part of the companies' media rights deal made with the league last summer.
It's a change of pace from past years, so viewers may not know where to go to catch all of the playoff action. Here is a breakdown of how to watch the 2022 NHL playoffs.
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How can I watch NHL playoff games live on ESPN?
- Channels: ESPN, ESPN2
The games are going to air either on ESPN or ESPN2 during the postseason.
The first three days of the first rounds features ESPN-ESPN2 doubleheaders for three nights in a row. ESPN will have about half the games in the first and second round, one of the conference finals series and the entirety of the Stanley Cup Finals.
ESPN has a multitude of broadcast teams in line to announce the games. John Buccigross, Gord Miller, Bob Wischusen, Sean McDonaugh, Steve Levy and Mike Monaco will serve as the play-by-play broadcasters. Ray Ferraro, Ryan Callahan, Kevin Weekes, Dominic Moore, AJ Mleczko and Cassie Campbell-Pascall will be utilized as analysts.
Leah Hextall, Caley Chelios and Emily Kaplan will be used as reporters and in the studio, and it will be combinations of Steve Levy, Mark Messier, Chris Chelios, John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes, Arda Ocal and Hilary Knight breaking down the games during intermissions and postgame.
How can I stream NHL playoff games on ESPN?
- Streams: ESPN.com, ESPN app
Any game that is being aired on ESPN can also be streamed on ESPN.com or on the ESPN app. All streams are free with a cable subscription.
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How can I watch NHL playoff games live on TNT?
- Channels: TNT, TBS
The NHL playoffs make their appearance for the first time on TNT and its family networks. During the first and second round, the network is splitting up games with ESPN, so about half the games will be on either TNT or TBS.
TNT will host one of the two conference final series. The network will not air any of the finals, as part of the agreement was that ESPN and TNT would switch off every year broadcasting the finals.
For the broadcasts, Kenny Albert and Brendan Burke will be the play-by-play announcers, Eddie Olczyk and Darren Pang will be analysts, and Jennifer Botterill, Tarik El-Bashir and Jackie Redmond will be on-ice reporters.
In the studio, it will be the crew of Liam McHugh, Wayne Gretzky, Rick Tocchet, Anson Carter and Paul Bissonnette.
How can I stream NHL playoff games on TNT?
- Streams: DirecTV Stream, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV
If you are looking to stream the games on TNT, you can watch them through a number of streaming services. DirecTV Stream, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV all will have games from TNT or TBS on their platform. You will need to purchase a subscription package for one of these services.
