NHL blackout rules have confused hockey fans for years. Unlike the NFL or NBA, where the blackout situation is frustrating but at least understandable, the NHL's rules seem almost designed to be confusing. Games are blacked out based on your location, your cable provider, what package you have, and which team is playing. It's a lot.
The good news is there's a simple way around all of it. Let me walk you through your options.
Why NHL Blackouts Are Uniquely Bad
The NHL sells broadcast rights on a market-by-market basis. Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) have rights to local team games in each city. So if you're in Chicago, local Blackhawks games go through the local RSN. If you try to watch through NHL.tv or a streaming service that doesn't carry that specific RSN, it's blacked out.
The problem gets worse because many RSNs have gone through ownership changes and financial trouble in recent years. Some have folded entirely. So in certain markets, fans can't even find a legal way to watch their local team in real time. It's genuinely broken in some parts of the country.
National games are split between ESPN, TNT, and TBS. You need access to all three to watch the full national schedule, and each requires a separate subscription or a live TV service.
Your Streaming Options for NHL Games
ESPN+ / Disney Bundle
ESPN+ carries some NHL games and is required for the ESPN portion of the national schedule. The Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) runs about $14/month. But ESPN+ alone doesn't get you all games, and the RSN blackouts still apply for local games.
Max (formerly HBO Max)
Turner Sports games air on TNT and TBS, which means some games require a Max subscription to stream. That's another $16/month on top of ESPN+.
YouTube TV or Hulu Live
A live TV service that includes ESPN, TNT, and TBS covers the national games at least. But RSN coverage varies by market and provider, so local game availability is inconsistent. Pricing starts around $73-77/month.
NflNow TV
NflNow TV gives you the entire NHL schedule without blackouts. No RSN restrictions, no local market rules. If the game is being played tonight, you can watch it. Full stop.
Watch Every NHL Game Live
No blackouts. No regional restrictions. Stream every game in HD from any device.
Start Watching NowESPN+ and NHL.tv Explained
NHL.tv (now rebranded and integrated into ESPN+) was the league's official streaming product. It has always had the local blackout issue. If your team's game is available locally, it's blacked out for you on NHL.tv in real time. You can watch replays, but not live.
ESPN+ now handles the streaming side of things for the league. It still has the same restrictions. Out-of-market games are generally accessible, but anything your regional affiliate broadcasts is blocked.
The workarounds people used to use (VPNs) are getting harder as platforms get better at detecting them. And using a VPN technically violates the terms of service for most of these services.
The No-Blackout Alternative
NflNow TV operates outside the US cable rights system. That means none of the RSN-based blackout rules apply. You watch based on a subscription, not based on where you live or what cable package you have.
For hockey fans specifically, this matters a lot. You can watch Leafs games from Miami, Bruins games from Phoenix, or a Friday night playoff game from literally anywhere. No restrictions.
- Full NHL regular season and playoffs
- Works in any browser on any device (Smart TV, phone, laptop, Firestick)
- 100+ live channels so you also get ESPN, TNT, and TBS anyway
- No auto-billing, flexible plans
- 24/7 live chat support if something goes wrong during a big game
How to Get Set Up
- Visit nflnow.tv and pick a plan
- Sign up with email and complete your payment
- Get your credentials (usually a few minutes)
- Open any browser on any device and sign in
- Find tonight's NHL game and watch
No app download, no setup. Works on whatever you have.
Common Questions
Does it include the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Yes. The playoffs are included in every plan.
What about outdoor games or special broadcasts?
Special broadcasts like the Winter Classic are included in the live sports schedule.
Can I watch in HD?
Yes, HD streams are included for all live games.
If you're a hockey fan who's tired of the blackout mess, Nflnow TV fixes the actual problem instead of offering a workaround. One subscription, all games, no restrictions. It's the cleanest solution out there right now.