How to Watch NHL Games in 2026-27: TV & Streaming Guide
The 2026-27 NHL season is underway, and this year comes with a notable change: each team will play 84 regular-season games for the first time in more than three decades. The regular season opened September 29 and runs through April 10, 2027, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs to follow.
With a fragmented coverage landscape, covering everything from national television networks to regional stations, with streaming in between, finding the games you want to watch can be difficult.
But whatever team you support, this guide will show the what, where, and when of NHL coverage in the 2026-27 season. For up to the minute information and coverage details, though, don’t hesitate to check out our full NHL TV schedule.
Which networks have NHL games in 2026–27?
National NHL coverage in the US is primarily split between ESPN/ABC and TNT Sports. ESPN’s package extends across its streaming services, including ESPN Select, Hulu and Disney+, while TNT Sports games are shown across TNT, TBS and truTV, with streaming available on HBO Max.
NHL Network also carries live regular-season games, including 20 NHL Network Showcase broadcasts, and picks up selected regional telecasts for viewers outside the teams’ local markets.
How are ESPN/ABC and TNT Sports rights divided?
ESPN has 100 exclusive national games during the 2026-27 regular season, with 53 on ESPN or ABC and 47 streaming across ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu. TNT Sports has a 72-game regular-season schedule.
The two broadcasters also divide the season’s major showcase events, including the NHL All-Star Game, Winter Classic, Heritage Classic and Stadium Series. The broadcasting split is summarized below:
| Broadcaster | TV channels | Streaming | 2026–27 coverage | Key events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN / ABC | ESPN, ESPN2, ABC | ESPN Select, Hulu, Disney+ | 100 exclusive games | Opening Night, Frozen Frenzy, All-Star Game |
| TNT Sports | TNT, TBS, truTV | HBO Max | 72 regular-season games | Winter Classic, Heritage Classic |
| NHL Network | NHL Network | — | Selected live games | NHL Network Showcase, studio coverage |
Where can NHL games be streamed?
NHL games are available on various streaming platforms:
- ESPN / NHL Power Play - NHL Power Play on ESPN+ offers more than 1,050 out-of-market games during the season. ESPN+ content is included with both ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited. Unlimited also includes ESPN’s linear networks and ESPN on ABC, making it the more complete option for fans who want both NHL Power Play and ESPN’s national broadcasts.
- Disney+ and Hulu - 47 of ESPN’s 100 exclusive national games are scheduled to stream across ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu during the regular season.
- HBO Max - TNT Sports’ NHL broadcasts can also be streamed live on HBO Max.
- Live TV Streaming Services - YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV and Sling carry ESPN, ABC and TNT through eligible packages, giving subscribers access to national NHL broadcasts. NHL Network and regional sports networks require packages that specifically include those channels.
Each streaming provider is noted in the NHL streaming schedule.
Will I be able to watch NHL on local team broadcasts?
Yes. Regional broadcasts remain a major part of the NHL schedule, but the way they are distributed differs significantly between teams.
One of the biggest changes for 2026-27 is the expansion of Prime Video as a local NHL streaming provider. Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues now use Prime Video as their exclusive local streaming provider within their respective regional territories.
Prime Video is the exclusive local streaming service for those six teams, but local television distribution is handled separately. Anaheim, for example, has 77 regional games available on Prime Video while 65 games also air free over the air on FOX Los Angeles + (KCOP Channel 13) or FOX 11.
Other teams continue to use regional networks and team-specific services, including NESN, MSG Networks, Altitude and Monumental Sports Network.
Because each team has its own local distribution setup, check the individual matchup on our NHL schedule for the TV channel and streaming service available in your market.
Are there local restrictions for NHL games?
Yes. NHL Power Play on ESPN+ is an out-of-market service. If you are located inside a team’s local television territory, that team’s regional broadcast is blacked out on NHL Power Play and you must use the local TV or streaming provider carrying the game.
Nationally televised games are also subject to national broadcast rights. If a game is unavailable on NHL Power Play because it is part of the US national schedule, it must be watched through the broadcaster carrying that national telecast.
There is one further exception worth knowing: when NHL Network carries a regional broadcast for viewers outside the teams’ local markets, that live game is not available on ESPN+ in those out-of-market areas.
National TV carriage does not automatically eliminate the local broadcast. National exclusivity is set on a game-by-game basis. For example, Boston’s October 13 game at San Jose airs on ESPN outside the Boston market while NESN carries the game locally. Check the listing for the specific matchup to see which broadcast applies in your location.
I support a team across the border - Can I see their games?
For those of you in the U.S. supporting the likes of the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers or Calgary Flames, you can watch their regional broadcasts through NHL Power Play on ESPN+ as an out-of-market viewer.
The exception is when the game is carried nationally in the US or selected by NHL Network for an out-of-market broadcast. In those cases, the live ESPN+ feed is not available and the game must be watched through the US broadcaster carrying it.
NHL Power Play also lets viewers choose between the home and away broadcast feeds for its out-of-market games.
How can I watch the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs?
ESPN and TNT Sports will share U.S. coverage of the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs. ESPN’s coverage includes the First Round, Second Round and one Conference Final, while TNT Sports holds exclusive U.S. rights to the 2027 Stanley Cup Final.
For a full breakdown of how to watch every round, including TV channels and streaming options, see our NHL Playoffs Viewing Guide.
Where can I find the channel for a specific NHL game?
Where you watch depends on the broadcast category and your location:
- Out-of-market regional game - NHL Power Play on ESPN+ or NHL Center Ice. If NHL Network has selected the game for its out-of-market schedule, watch on NHL Network instead of ESPN+.
- In-market regional game - The team’s local television broadcaster or local streaming provider.
- National game - The ESPN, ABC or TNT Sports platform carrying that matchup.
The broadcaster attached to each game can be found on our NHL TV schedule.
NHL Viewing FAQs
Is NHL.TV available in the US?
No. NHL.TV is available through DAZN in eligible international markets, but not in the United States. US viewers instead use the national, regional and out-of-market services covered in this guide.
What is the difference between NHL Power Play and NHL Center Ice?
Both provide access to out-of-market NHL games, but through different platforms. NHL Power Play is the streaming option through ESPN+, while NHL Center Ice is the television package offered through participating cable and satellite providers.
Does ESPN+ include NHL Network?
No. NHL Network is a separate television channel and is not included with ESPN+. When NHL Network carries a regional game nationally outside the teams' local markets, that game is unavailable live on ESPN+.
Can I watch NHL games for free in the US?
There is no free service that carries every NHL game. However, selected games are available free over the air, including games shown on ABC and local broadcasts carried by over-the-air stations in certain team markets.
Are NHL away games blacked out on ESPN+ too?
Yes. ESPN+ blackouts are based on your location, not where the game is being played. If you are inside a team's local television territory, its regional NHL Power Play broadcast is blacked out whether the team is playing at home or away.