How To Watch The 2021 NHL Hockey Season Without Cable

The new NHL season has gotten underway, and this year, the way you can watch Hockey has changed quite a bit. Thanks to ESPN+ securing a new contract with the NHL, you’ll be able to watch out-of-market games on ESPN+. Join as we outline how you can watch your favorite teams all season long, throughout the 82-game season and into the Stanley Cup Playoffs next spring.

The NHL has seen plenty of other changes over the off-season as well. Including a brand-new team in Seattle, called the Kraken. Like usual with expansions, this team includes a collection of players that were taken away from other teams. They will, of course, join the Western Conference.

Here’s how you can watch the NHL this season without cable.

What networks do I need to watch the NHL?

Games will be available on ESPN, TBS and TNT. They will no longer be available on NBC’s family of networks. TNT will broadcast 50 NHL games, which include the Winter Classic, Stadium Series and Heritage Classic. ESPN or ABC will air about 25 games, which includes half of the playoffs and the entirety of the Stanley Cup Finals. Then we have ESPN and Hulu with 75 exclusive matchups.

Of course, for in-market games, you will still be able to watch on your regional sports network. As we have outlined below.

ESPN+

As noted, ESPN+ as well as Hulu, are going to stream a number of games this season. And for just $7 per month, it’s probably going to be worth it. It’ll carry all out-of-market games, plus 75 exclusive games this season. Though, blackout restrictions do still apply.

This is a good price, as you can get a year of ESPN+ for $70, and this would have cost you $145 with NHL TV in the past.

ESPN+

DIRECTV Stream

DIRECTV Stream is the new name for AT&T TV and previously DIRECTV Now, and it is the only option for most of these regional sports networks. It offers all of them, except for NBC Sports Philadelphia which is a bit odd. But, they are only available in the “Choice” package which will cost $85 per month.

It also has ESPN, TBS and TNT, so you’ll be able to watch the televised national games this season as well.

DIRECTV Stream

Hulu with Live TV

Hulu with Live TV does offer the majority of these national networks. Including ESPN, TBS and TNT. Unfortunately, it does not offer most regional sports networks, as you can see from the table above.

It costs $65 per month, and it also includes a load of other sports networks. You can check out which networks are available in your area by putting in your ZIP Code. It also has DVR available, and you can watch on two screens simultaneously.

Hulu with Live TV

Fubo TV

Fubo TV is the go-to streaming TV service for sports fans. And that is because it has just about every sports network you can think of. However, when it comes to regional sports networks, it doesn’t have very many. It does offer ESPN, but it did lose the Turner networks recently, which means no TBS or TNT unfortunately. So while it’s meant for sports fans, it might not be the best for hockey fans.

Fubo TV

Sling TV

Sling TV is pretty popular for its a la carte offerings. Where you can get in for as little as $30 per month, but depending on what channels you want to add, you can really raise that price. It does offer ESPN, TBS and TNT in the Sling Orange package.

However, due to Sling TV’s low price, you won’t find any regional sports networks available here. So if you are a big hockey fan and want to watch all of your home-team’s games, you’re out of luck here.

Sling TV