The NHL is the world's premier professional ice hockey league and one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. If you’re a fan of the sport like me, I’d love to share some of the best places to watch free NHL live streams.
Signing up for a subscription on ESPN+ or NHL Live is expensive. Although the quality is assured, and they don’t bombard you with ads, not everyone can afford those prices. That’s why there are so many free alternatives available.
Watch Free NHL Streams with a VPN
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Here are my top NHL streaming picks;
Best Free NHL Streaming Websites
1. NHLBite
NHLBite is an online platform that offers live streaming of all NHL games and related content online. It is free to use and does not require registration or login details. So, if you want to watch your favorite team play, this will be paradise.
This site has origins as a Reddit NHL stream. Don’t worry; you don’t need a Reddit membership to stream NHL Live. It’s dressed up as a regular sports channel and even comes with nicely tabled game schedules.
Since it’s a regular website, you can watch NHL Ice Hockey Live Stream on NHLBite on your PC, laptop, or smartphone by simply opening the website in your browser. Next, click the play button on any ongoing game to start streaming.
NHLBite is legitimately my top choice of NHL streaming site. It doesn’t give off that cheesy feeling when you visit a less-than-legitimate website. The interface is clean and quite minimalistic too.
Visit NHLBite
2. NHL LIve Stream
NHL Live Stream is a website that lets you stream NHL games for free. The strangest thing about this website is how similar it looks to NHLBite. I’d suspect they simply mirror services if I didn't know better.
Yet website design apart, NHL Live Stream is very simple to use. Loading the page will simply present you with a long list of NHL matches. You’ll see the teams scheduled to play and a date and time when. Ongoing games are marked “LIVE” in bright red font.
I love how professional this website feels, and it's impressive they can afford to broadcast the games in HD. Each NHL stream also has multiple channels if some go down during the game. Even more remarkable is that most streams here don’t get flooded with ads.
Like most sports streams, NHL Live Stream offers more than just hockey (despite the name). You can also watch NBA, UFC, and NFL streams. Give this streaming website a go; you won’t regret it.
Visit NHL Live Stream
3. NHL66
NHL66 is a live streaming service that lets you watch NHL games, including the Stanley Cup Final, on your favorite devices. From your phone to your tablet to your desktop computer, there are plenty of ways to stream NHL games with NHL66.
However, like many integrated streaming services, there’s a chance that some channels might go down. Here’s where you’ll see the main advantage of NHL66. It offers incredible support (for a free streaming service), including a dedicated YouTube channel with tutorials, reviews, and more.
Amazingly, their tutorials even teach you how to remove ads on the streams and value-added information like the ranking system on their collection of streams. There's a pay-to-view system in place for those who prefer a more streamlined experience if you want.
NHL66 is unlike most other streaming channels on this list since it’s the only hardcore NHL streaming platform dedicated to this league alone. Oh, and there’s live chat, too, to discuss games with fellow NHL enthusiasts.
Visit NHL66
4. Buffstreams
Buffstreams shouldn’t come across as a stranger to regular sports streaming fans. It’s a comprehensive live sports streaming website that covers so much more than just the NFL. You get access to soccer, baseball, NBA, and much more.
Despite the diversity, Buffstreams offers one of the best collections of hockey streams out there, with plenty of links to watch the NHL Ice Hockey Live Stream games. The stream quality is also pretty decent despite forcing videos to open in a new window.
Be warned, though, that antivirus apps may throw up warning signs when you open any live streams via Buffstreams. I didn’t notice anything untoward except for that warning, though. It’s likely just caused by some of the website's scripts for video.
Even though the site offers many sports steams, I somehow feel they could offer a better user experience. Having so many windows pop open just to watch an NHL game isn’t my idea of fun. Still, if all else fails, this site is a viable option.
Visit Buffstreams
5. FirstRow Sports
FirstRow Sports offers an excellent selection of different leagues and competitions, so you can always find your favorite game to watch online. The site has been online for many years now, so I can say that it's a pretty reliable platform.
I recommend this website to anyone who wants to watch their favorite team playing online without paying fees. The site offers decent quality video streaming for most NHL matches, but the overall design leaves much to be desired.
It gives the impression of the atypical shady-looking website ripping off NHL streams to broadcast free – Yet, it works. A word of caution, though, before you visit this website. It loads tons of popup ads that crash the user experience.
FirstRow Sports wouldn’t be my first choice if I had better options. There’s a good reason why it’s ranked number five on this list. Still, for the desperate, it’s an old, reliable brand where I see many new sites crash and burn.
Visit Firstrow Sports
What Are NHL Streaming Sites?
The NHL is a professional league full of talented athletes who can perform amazing feats on the ice. And if you live in Canada or the United States, chances are you'll be able to catch some games on television. But what if you don't have cable TV? Or what if you want to watch a game while traveling abroad?
That's where NHL streaming sites come in handy. They allow you to watch live or recorded video content from your computer or mobile device without subscribing to cable or satellite TV services. You can also use these sites to watch replays of past games and highlights from recent matches.
Are NHL Streaming Sites Safe?
NHL streaming sites are safe if you take the proper precautions. The most considerable risk is that these sites may be illegal in your country. While this may seem like a big deal, it is quite rare for anyone to get into trouble using these sites because of how easy it is to hide your identity.
All you need is to use a VPN. The VPN will hide your device identity, but it may also allow you to access more NHL streams than you might otherwise. Many excellent VPN brands in the market cost just a few dollars per month.
My top pick is NordVPN (see my NordVPN Review), thanks to its good balance of the price (Just $3.99/mo – get the deal here) versus performance. I ran all of the streams above with NordVPN active, and the experience was perfect. There was no excessive buffering or lag that was noticeable.
For the curious, here’s a speed test result I obtained with NordVPN when using the NordLynx protocol;
Also Read:
- Best Sites to WatchMLB
- Best Sites to Watch NBA
- Best Sites to Watch UFC
Final Thoughts on Watching NHL Live Streams for Free
Watching NHL games online is a great way to enjoy the game, even if you don't have cable. If you live in an area that doesn't get NHL coverage or want to watch your favorite team on a streaming service, this guide can help you find free and legal ways to stream NHL games online.
Watching a free NHL stream may not be the best experience, but it’s an affordable way to access a favorite sport. Dedicated sports cable channels can quickly charge anything from $50/mo onwards, which is insane. personally, we much prefer to use NHLBite. It's simply too good to miss.
FAQs
What apps can I watch NHL for free? ›
Viewers who use Adrar TV have a chance to enjoy live HD streaming of NHL games and other popular hockey leagues from around the world. There is also a catch-up feature that lets you view replays of previous games in case you missed them. Adrar is available for free on the Google Play Store.
What VPN works with NHL? ›- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a secure VPN server in Canada.
- Log in and enjoy the games!
Watch the NHL Live on Hulu
Flip channels like cable, stream like Hulu. Catch your favorite hockey games all season long with Hulu + Live TV, now with Disney+ and ESPN+.
Introducing NHL Power Play on ESPN+
Now part of the ESPN+ base-tier subscription at no additional cost. Access over 1,000 out of market NHL games from every team, all season long. Blackouts and restrictions apply.
ESPN+ is the new home of the NHL.TV package, which means hockey fans can watch over 1,000 out-of-market games this season, plus 75 exclusive ones.
Is the NHL channel free? ›Is NHL Network free? No, NHL Network is not free, and you usually have to pay more to get it. NHL Network is available in most cable and satellite providers' higher-priced plans, plus some live TV streaming services' channel lineups—like DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, and Sling TV.
How do I bypass blackout restrictions NHL? ›To bypass the blackout restrictions, you must subscribe to NHL TV's International Pass. All you have to do is connect to a VPN server in a country where the service is available (Preferably France), subscribe, and stream the 2022/23 season anywhere.
How do I watch blackout games? ›Here's how to watch blackout games:
Sign up for and download a good VPN service provider with plenty of bandwidth and server locations. We particularly recommend NordVPN. Install the VPN app on your Macbook or PC and run it. Connect to a server in a location where the game you want to watch is not blacked out.
- Amazon Prime.
- AMC+
- DAZN.
- Disney+
- ESPN+
- Fanatiz.
- FITE TV.
- FloSports.
In addition to NHL content, U.S. consumers can go to Hulu.com to watch a large selection of hit TV shows, movies, clips and more in high-quality – any time, for free.
Why is it so hard to watch NHL games? ›
The problem is that the NHL often sells its games' local broadcast rights to local networks. There are other factors, such as whether a team is playing at home or away. For example, if you live in Toronto, you'll only be able to watch the Maple Leafs play on the regional broadcast network.
How can I watch all out-of-market games? ›Visit ESPNplus.com/NFL for more details. Watch live out-of-market Preseason and live local Regular season games on your phone and tablet with NFL+.
Is there an app to watch NHL? ›NHL Live is available on iOS, Android, Xbox, Roku, Apple TV/tvOS (see below) and PlayStation devices. Go to the schedule page in the app. Choose the game you wish to watch. Sign in and enjoy!
How can I watch NHL for free on Roku? ›Over-the-air NHL broadcasts
If you have a Roku TV, you're in luck. All you have to do is connect the HDTV antenna of your choice to the “Ant/Cable In” connector on the back of your Roku TV and follow the setup instructions to start streaming.
Sportsnet App
Delivering up to the minute stories, stats, video highlights and more from across the sports world anytime, anywhere. Download for free today!
- ESPN+ (US Users Only) For more information about ESPN+ or to purchase, visit the NHL on ESPN+ ...
- Sportsnet NOW Premium (Canada Users Only) ...
- For more information about NHL.TV (outside of the United States) or to purchase, visit NHL.TV. ...
- Star+ ...
- ESPN Player. ...
- ESPN Play. ...
- ESPN App. ...
- Viaplay.
The NHL joins expansive sports programming on Peacock. Upcoming live sports coverage on Peacock includes US Open Golf, Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Premier Lacrosse League, INDYCAR, Premiership Rugby, the 2021-22 Premier League season, 2021 Sunday Night Football, and Super Bowl LVI.
Is hockey free on the FireStick? ›Users can easily stream NHL games on FireStick without paying a dime by using third-party streaming apps or Kodi addons. With the right app, you can watch NHL games on the relevant channels. Kodi is by far the most popular third-party streaming app on FireStick.
How do I get around blackout restrictions? ›A VPN is an effective workaround for ESPN blackouts.
Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN routes your internet connection through a server in another location. By connecting to a VPN server outside of the blackout region, you can unlock region-locked streams, or even watch ESPN+ while abroad.
For the NHL specifically, blackouts are present to allow regional sports networks to broadcast as many games as possible. “Blackout restrictions exist to protect the local television telecasters of each NHL game in the local markets of the teams. Blackouts are not based on arena sell-outs.
Why is NHL 22 so dark? ›
Re: HDR too dark in NHL 22
It's happens when you enter the neutral zone or are in the defensive zone.
Last season NHL Live cost $199.99 for a year ($179.99 if you signed up before the early bird deadline) or $29.99 on a monthly basis. Sportsnet Now's premium tier costs $249.99 for a year or $34.99 on a monthly basis.
How can I get ESPN for free? ›At a glance, here are a few streaming services that let you stream ESPN on a variety of devices for cheap (you can even watch ESPN for free with their trials): fuboTV (free 7-day trial, no contract) Hulu with Live TV (free 7-day trial, starting at $65 per month for a TON of channels, no contract)
Is blackout Blitz free? ›Blackout Blitz Bingo can be played for free or real money in the US.
Why are games blacked? ›Each sports league has different rules about when a televised event is blacked out, and those rules are part of the contracts they sign with television distributors. In most cases, the blackout results when a sports league prohibits an event from being televised locally if the event did not sell out all its tickets.
What is the best sports streaming site? ›| Tool Name | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CrackStreams ? | Streaming different types of live sports events for free. | Free |
| Fox Sports Go | Streaming Fox Sports live events on any internet-connected site. | Free |
| ESPN | Watching highlights of sporting events and news from around the world. | Free |
Hulu Live TV and ESPN+
Hulu Live TV is a cheaper option than DIRECTV STREAM to watch the NHL. Hulu Live TV caries ESPN, ABC, and TNT in its channel plan for $69.99 per month after a 1-week free trial.
| Streaming service | Base price | Free trial? |
|---|---|---|
| FuboTV Best overall | $69.99/month | Yes |
| Sling TV Best customization | $40/month | No |
| Hulu + Live TV Best bundles | $69.99/month | No |
| DirecTV Stream Best for regional sports | $69.99/month | Yes |
NHL 22 is available for EA Play and Xbox Game Pass subscribers. EA Play is included with the Xbox Games Pass Ultimate subscription, at no additional cost. Otherwise, it costs $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year for PlayStation and PC users with the following benefits.
Is NHL on Amazon Prime? ›Watch NHL Games | Prime Video.
How much is Hulu NHL? ›
How much is the NHL package on Hulu? The NHL package on Hulu is $69.99 per month.
What has replaced Hesgoal? ›hesgoal.com's top 5 competitors in September 2022 are: wheresthematch.com, livetv. sx, skysports.com, espn.com, and more.
Is Stream2Watch a safe website? ›Is Stream2Watch Safe? Like most other free streaming websites, Stream2Watch depends on ad revenues for its sustenance. As a result, you're likely to encounter several ads while using these sites. Some of these can lead to malicious content, including malware.
Is live stream free? ›Livestream does not require viewers to pay for a Livestream subscription if they are simply looking to watch an event that an organization is hosting on Livestream.
Who hits harder NFL or NHL? ›Hockey hits are, on average, 17% harder than football hits even though hockey players are 20% smaller than football players? Interesting.
Is hockey the hardest sport ever? ›According to an extensive study done by ESPN called Sports Skills Difficulty, ice hockey ranks second behind only boxing among the 60 sports measured. Football is ranked third, basketball fourth, baseball ninth and soccer tenth.
Is hockey popularity declining? ›The research, carried out by sociologist Reginald Bibby of the University of Lethbridge and published in his new book, The Emerging Millennials, shows that since about 1990, teenage interest in the NHL has dropped from 45% to 35%. Among adults, the percentage of fans has slipped from about 35% to 30%.
What's the cheapest NHL team to buy? ›The Arizona Coyotes are the least valuable team in the National Hockey League, according to a new report by Forbes. The financial publication publishes a list every year ranking the NHL franchises by their valuation, and in the 2021 list, which was published last week, the Coyotes came in dead last.
How do you watch sports with a VPN? ›- Pick a VPN you can count on to unblock the NFL. We recommend NordVPN, now 68% OFF.
- Download and install NordVPN to your Windows or Mac PC.
- Once it's all set up, open the VPN app.
- Connect to a new server.
- Load up a streaming app and watch NFL!
NFL.com. Watch Live Local & Primetime Games on Mobile, and More. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE local & primetime Regular Season and Postseason games on the go on your phone or tablet. With NFL+ Premium, you can watch football on your schedule with full and condensed replays of every game.
How do I watch out-of-market games with a VPN? ›
- Subscribe to a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, currently 68% OFF!
- Connect to a server in a country where Game Pass offers blackout-free streaming, such as the United States.
- Sign up for NFL+ on the official website.
- Stream all the matches without any blackouts or restrictions!
In addition to NHL content, U.S. consumers can go to Hulu.com to watch a large selection of hit TV shows, movies, clips and more in high-quality – any time, for free.
Is NHL free on Roku? ›Don't worry, you can stream games after they are over, on demand, whenever you want. Never miss a moment with in-game highlights, post-game highlights, and additional NHL.com video content throughout the season. NHL. TVTM subscription is required.
Why are NHL games blacked out on Hulu? ›If ESPN is blacked out on Hulu for you, it means that the game is being broadcast in your area on another channel.
Is Peacock streaming free? ›Yes, Peacock is really free! No credit card required. You just need an email address and password to sign up to access thousands of hours of great entertainment instantly.
Is the NBC Sports app free? ›Q: Will there be a cost to download the NBC Sports Mobile and Tablet Applications? A: No, all of the mobile and tablet offerings for NBC Sports will be free.
How do you get around NHL blackouts? ›To bypass the blackout restrictions, you must subscribe to NHL TV's International Pass. All you have to do is connect to a VPN server in a country where the service is available (Preferably France), subscribe, and stream the 2022/23 season anywhere.
How do I get around ESPN blackout? ›A VPN is an effective workaround for ESPN blackouts.
Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN routes your internet connection through a server in another location. By connecting to a VPN server outside of the blackout region, you can unlock region-locked streams, or even watch ESPN+ while abroad.
Sling Free is our free live TV streaming service offering: 150+ free live TV channels catering to a wide range of content to stream, such as: news, adult and kids entertainment and sports. You can also access more than 40,000 movies and TV shows available on demand, such as Hell's Kitchen, The Walking Dead and more.