What ESPN+ gives you for NHL games

ESPN+ is a streaming service that carries a portion of the NHL regular season and playoff games. It does not carry every game — national broadcasts on ABC, ESPN, and TNT still happen separately — but ESPN+ holds the rights to show games that would otherwise not appear on cable or broadcast television. These are sometimes called "exclusive" games because they stream only on ESPN+.

The service costs a monthly fee (the price varies and changes periodically). You watch through the ESPN+ app on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV device. You need an ESPN+ account to log in, separate from a cable subscription or other streaming service.

ESPN+ also includes other sports beyond hockey: college football, college basketball, MLB, MLS, and UFC events. If you subscribe, you get access to all of these, not just NHL content.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN+ streams selected NHL regular season and playoff games that do not appear on traditional cable or broadcast channels.
  • You must have an ESPN+ account and pay the monthly subscription fee to watch these games.
  • Not every NHL game is on ESPN+ — games on ABC, ESPN, and TNT air separately and may require a cable login or different streaming service.
  • You can watch on the ESPN+ app across phones, tablets, computers, and most connected TV devices.
  • ESPN+ includes other sports content beyond hockey, so your subscription covers multiple leagues and events.

How to set up an ESPN+ account

Go to the ESPN+ website or read the ESPN+ app from your device's app store. Select the option to create a new account. You will need an email address and a password. ESPN+ will ask for a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account — to charge your monthly subscription fee.

After you enter your payment information and confirm your account, you can log in when ready. The app will show you the current schedule of available games, upcoming broadcasts, and on-demand replays of past games. You do not need a cable subscription to watch ESPN+ content.

If you already have a Hulu or Disney+ account, you can bundle ESPN+ with those services at a combined monthly price, which is usually lower than paying for each separately. You can manage all three through one login.

Finding NHL games on ESPN+

Open the ESPN+ app and look for the NHL section or use the search function to find hockey. The app displays upcoming games with dates, times, and team matchups. Games that are exclusive to ESPN+ will be labeled clearly. You can also check the NHL's official schedule online to see which games are streaming on ESPN+ that week.

ESPN+ typically shows games throughout the regular season (October through April) and carries playoff games as well. The exact number of games varies by season. Not every team plays the same number of games on ESPN+, so if you follow a specific team, you may want to check their schedule directly to see which of their games will stream.

You can set reminders or add games to a watchlist within the app so you do not miss broadcasts you want to see. The app will notify you when a game is about to start if you turn on notifications.

Watching on different devices

The ESPN+ app works on most smartphones and tablets running iOS or Android. On a computer, you can watch through a web browser by going to ESPN.com and logging into your ESPN+ account. For television, ESPN+ is available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, and most smart TV platforms.

read the app to your device, log in with your ESPN+ email and password, and select the game you want to watch. The stream will begin when ready. You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward through most games, though live games cannot be rewound until they finish broadcasting.

If you are traveling or away from home, you can still watch ESPN+ on any device as long as you have internet access and are logged into your account. There are no blackout restrictions on ESPN+ games in most cases, though some regional restrictions may explore depending on your location and the specific game.

Difference between ESPN+ games and cable broadcasts

Games on ESPN+ are exclusive to that streaming service — you cannot watch them on cable or broadcast television. Games on ABC, ESPN, or TNT air on those channels instead and may also be available through cable provider apps or other streaming services. Some games appear on multiple platforms, but ESPN+ exclusive games do not.

The broadcast quality and commentary are the same whether you watch on ESPN+ or cable. You get the same announcers, graphics, and production. The main difference is the platform: streaming through an app instead of a cable box or antenna.

If you have a cable subscription, you may be able to watch some ESPN and TNT games through your provider's app without needing ESPN+. Check your cable provider's streaming options to see what is included with your package. ESPN+ is separate and requires its own subscription.

What happens if a game is blacked out

Blackout rules limit where certain games can be watched based on geography and broadcasting agreements. Most ESPN+ exclusive games do not have blackouts, which is one reason ESPN+ carries them — they would not appear anywhere else otherwise. However, some regional games may have restrictions depending on where you are located.

If you try to watch a game and see a blackout message, it means the game is not available to stream in your location. This usually happens with games that are broadcast on a regional sports network in your area. You would need to watch on that regional channel or cable provider instead.

You can check the game details in the ESPN+ app to see if a blackout applies before the game starts. If a blackout is in effect, the app will typically show that information on the game's listing.

Canceling or pausing your subscription

You can cancel your ESPN+ subscription at any time through your account settings. Log into ESPN.com or the app, go to your account or subscription settings, and select the option to cancel. You will lose access to ESPN+ content when ready after cancellation, though you can restart your subscription later if you want to return.

ESPN+ does not offer a pause or temporary hold option like some other services do. If you want to stop paying but think you might return, you must cancel and then resubscribe when you are ready. There is no penalty for canceling or restarting.

If you subscribed through a bundle with Hulu and Disney+, canceling ESPN+ will remove only that service from your bundle. Your Hulu and Disney+ subscriptions will continue unless you cancel those separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need cable to watch ESPN+ NHL games?

No. ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service that does not require a cable subscription. You only need an internet connection, an ESPN+ account, and a payment method to watch. Games exclusive to ESPN+ are not available on cable television.

Can I watch games on ESPN+ if I have cable?

Yes. Having a cable subscription does not prevent you from using ESPN+. They are separate services. You can subscribe to ESPN+ even if you already have cable, and you will be able to watch both cable broadcasts and ESPN+ exclusive games.

Are all NHL games on ESPN+?

No. ESPN+ carries selected games throughout the season, but many games air on ABC, ESPN, TNT, or regional sports networks instead. Check the NHL schedule or the ESPN+ app to see which specific games are streaming on ESPN+ each week.

Can I watch ESPN+ games on my TV?

Yes. The ESPN+ app is available on most smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV, and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. read the app, log in, and select the game you want to watch.

What if I miss a live game on ESPN+?

Most games are available on-demand after they finish broadcasting. You can watch the full game replay in the ESPN+ app anytime after it ends. The app typically keeps replays available for an extended period, though older games may eventually be removed.