How to Watch the NHL Playoffs: Stanley Cup Glory Starts Here

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The Stanley Cup is one of the most treasured and iconic trophies in all of sports. Hoisting it up high above the ice after a championship victory is the dream of every hockey player. This year, the cup could fall into any team's hands. And if you want to follow every moment of a sure-to-be historic postseason, here's how to watch the NHL playoffs, starting on April 19.

Judging by the regular season standings, this year's Stanley Cup playoffs could be a series of hard-fought matchups between teams going toe-to-toe. As the season comes to a finish just two days before the playoffs begin on April 19, a host of teams all had similar win-loss records. In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, and Carolina Hurricanes all won around 50 games. And in the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings are all also hovering around 50 wins. With 11 teams with comparable performances in the regular season all battling for one Stanley Cup, hockey fans could be in store for a wildly entertaining postseason. 

The Panthers have appeared in the last two Stanley Cup finals. Will they be back a third time to win their second-straight title? Or will a smoking hot, surging club like the Maple Leafs (who won 8 of 10 games heading into the postseason) stop the Panthers in their path? Can a team like the Capitals, who struggled towards the end of the season, right their ship in time for the playoffs? 

The oddsmakers have six teams in serious contention for the cup, but really it's anyone's guess. Who can make NHL playoff predictions with this many teams neck in neck? Here's all you need to know about how to watch every second of the high-drama, high-stakes action.

When do the NHL playoffs start?

The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on April 19. The games will be spread out across a number of TV channels and streaming services, including channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, and truTV, plus streaming services like ESPN+, Hulu, and Max.

How do the NHL playoffs work?

As the regular season draws to a close, the top three teams in each NHL division earn spots in the playoffs. Each conference also has two wild-card teams that make it to the playoffs. The top team in each division will begin the playoffs by facing a wild-card team. Second and third place teams in each division will face off against each other in the first round of the playoffs.

How to Watch the NHL Playoffs on Hulu + Live TV

ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and truTV are all available, along with nearly 100 other channels, on Hulu + Live TV. You can get Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads) for $82.99/month after a 3-day free trial. Or, you can pay a bit extra to get rid of the ads on Hulu and Disney+ for $95.99/month. Hulu + Live TV is another stellar option for catching this year's NHL playoffs.

How to Watch the NHL Playoffs on DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM is now offering another option to compete with its lowest tier package (the Entertainment Plan which starts at around $84.99/month). Introducing Genre Packs — DIRECTV STREAM's solution to affordable channel packs that streams content all under the same genre. Sports fans can now opt for the MySports pack at $69.99/month, which comes with 20+ channels including ESPN, FS1, TNT, NHL Network, and more. To top it all off, it also includes ESPN+ totally free. Sure, you can also subscribe to one of DIRECTV STREAM's multiple channel plans like the Entertainment Plan we mentioned earlier, but for true sports fans, this is really all you need.

Heads up: pricing may be different in your area for DIRECTV STREAM. Please see pricing in your area below.

How to Watch the NHL Playoffs on Sling TV

Sling TV offers ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and truTV (the channels airing this year's NHL playoffs) in its various plans. Subscription options include Orange (around $45.99/month but just $23 for your first month) and Blue (around $50.99/month but just $25.50 for your first month), as well as Orange + Blue, which is $65.99/month ($33 for the first month).

How to Watch the NHL Playoffs on Fubo

Fubo carries ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT, all of which will be airing this year's Stanley Cup playoff games. The streamer's Pro Plan goes for $84.99/month, but is currently on sale at $64.99 for the first month. Fubo also offers a number of different add-ons for sports lovers that are worth checking out.

How to Watch the NHL Playoffs on Max

Max will be airing 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games (as well as the Stanley Cup Final) via its Live Sports plans. A subscription to either Standard ($139.99/year, $16.99/month) or Premium ($169.99/year, $20.99/month) will get you access to NHL playoff games, as well as Max's vast entertainment library.  

How to Watch the NHL Playoffs on Max via Prime Video

Prime Video (which costs $14.99/month) also offers Max so you can have all your favorite apps in one place. The pricing is for both the Standard and Premium plans are the same as they are in Max's standalone app.

How to Watch the NHL Playoffs on ESPN+

ESPN+ will stream a solid lineup of 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games throughout the postseason. While it won't have every matchup, a subscription for $11.99/month gets you access to plenty of live NHL action, along with ESPN's full lineup of sports content and original programming. 

How to Watch the NHL Playoffs on the Disney Bundle

The Disney Bundle has Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ and starts at just $16.99/month. Because the playoffs are on ESPN+, this is a great option to consider if you're also interested in Disney+ and Hulu. Three for the price of one!  

How to Watch the NHL Playoffs from anywhere with a VPN

Don't let annoying regional blackouts keep you from watching the NHL Playoffs. With a VPN, you can stream every slapshot and sudden-death thriller like you're back in your home arena, no matter where you actually are.

ExpressVPN (from $8.32/month) is a fan-favorite for speed and reliability — and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is great if you're only tuning in for playoff season. Want something more budget-friendly? Private Internet Access starts around $2/month, while NordVPN is running a deep discount with over 70% off. Whether you're abroad or just dodging local restrictions, a VPN keeps you in the game from puck drop to Stanley Cup glory.

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