How to Watch the 2024 NHL Games Live Online (Without Cable)
Reading time: 16 min
Updated on December 01, 2023
The NHL is arguably the best hockey league in the world with top-level players, so I love to watch it whenever possible. However, with how things are online, you always need additional protection when watching the NHL. A VPN helps you achieve that.
While hypothetically, you could also use a VPN to access streaming platforms streaming the NHL from countries where it’s unavailable, this would be against most platforms’ terms of service, and my team and I don’t condone any illegal activity.
If you’re already where the NHL is broadcast, you can use a VPN to stay safe and anonymous online. After various tests, I found that ExpressVPN is the best to ensure secure and lag-free streams. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. Also, its 30-day money-back guarantee lets you get a full refund if you’re unsatisfied with the performance. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Watch every NHL game with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: 3 Steps to Watch Every NHL Game With a VPN
- Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN’s blazing-fast server speeds to watch the NHL without any lag or buffering.
- Connect to a nearby server in the US or Canada. I recommend you choose a server close to your physical location to get the best speeds.
- Start watching the 2024 NHL season.
Important! The VPNs on this list have strict no-log policies and military-grade encryption, so nobody knows what you do online, not even the VPNs themselves. This means it’s your entire responsibility to abide by applicable online laws. We don’t condone anything that could be considered illegal or that breaches terms and conditions.
The Best VPNs to Watch NHL Games in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — The Fastest Servers to Access and Stream NHL Games Live Without Lag
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 locations globally, with hundreds in the US and Canada, so you can connect and stream NHL matches
- Extremely fast speeds for seamless streaming on any sports streaming platform
- Watch the NHL on up to 8 devices at once
- 24/7 live support via email or chat to help you with any streaming issues
- 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out risk-free
ExpressVPN is my top pick for streaming every 2024 NHL game — it delivered consistently fast speeds for lag-free live streams. Unlike other providers that greatly reduce speeds, ExpressVPN allowed me to enjoy UHD live coverage consistently. No matter the selected viewing quality, I experienced no buffering or lag.
During testing, my team and I found that ExpressVPN could access every streaming service we tested, including platforms that carried national channels and RSNs, including:
| ESPN+ | Hulu + Live TV | DirecTV Stream | fuboTV | YouTube TV |
| CBC (Canada) | SportsNet Now (Canada) | Premier Sports (UK) | NHL.TV | …and more! |
In addition to its fast speeds, ExpressVPN is available on multiple OSs, including Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and more. You can even connect your Roku and Apple TV devices to its servers and stream hockey on the big screen. Plus, you can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between devices when traveling.
While it’s slightly more expensive than the other VPNs on this list, it’s well worth it for a virtually seamless streaming experience from anywhere. You can also save % on your subscription and pay /month when you sign up for its 2-year + 4 months free plan.
Don’t take my word for it — you can try ExpressVPN to watch the NHL at no risk to you. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can claim a refund if you’re not happy. I tested the policy myself and had the money back within 4 days — no questions asked!
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.
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2. CyberGhost — Specialized Streaming Servers to Watch the NHL From Anywhere
Key Features:
- 11,670+ servers in 100 countries and 1350+ servers located in the US and 480+ in Canada for streaming the 2024 NHL games
- Dedicated servers for ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and more for smooth, buffer-free HD streaming
- Stream the NHL on 7 different devices simultaneously without any bandwidth limits
- 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost has optimized streaming servers for access to US-based NHL channels and platforms, including ESPN+, Hulu, and YouTube TV. These servers are constantly tested to work with the respective streaming platforms, ensuring you always get the best possible experience and can watch in the best quality lag-free.
When reviewing it, my team and I found that its servers maintain stable connections with fast speeds for zero-buffering. Even on its regular servers, CyberGhost worked with American and international services, including:
| ESPN+ | YouTube TV | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV | DirecTV Stream |
| fuboTV | SportsNet Now (Canada) | Premier Sports (UK) | Star+ (Latin America) | …and more! |
It also has an incredibly user-friendly interface. CyberGhost makes it easy to find the best server manually by sorting servers into different categories for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and more. It also shows the server load for every server, so you can choose a low-load server for the best streaming experience.
One issue I found is that CyberGhost has slightly lower speeds on non-optimized servers than on streaming servers. However, the difference was small, and I could still watch the game in HD with minimal buffering.
While its short-term plans can be quite expensive, you’ll pay just a month when you sign up for its 2-year + 2 months plan. If you only need a VPN for a short while, you should check out these VPNs with the best monthly deals.
Your other option is to try CyberGhost’s optimized servers completely free using its generous 45-day money-back guarantee. After testing it for a few weeks, I contacted customer support to ask for a refund. I waited 15 minutes for a response, but my request was approved minutes later. The money was credited to my PayPal account within 5 working days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
CyberGhost works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Large Server Network for the 2024 NHL Season on International Platforms
Key Features:
- 35,000+ servers in 91 countries for reliable NHL live streams on international platforms, including NHL.TV, ESPN+, Sportsnet Now, Premier Sports, and more
- Large server network minimizes the chances of overcrowding and server slowdowns
- Supports up to unlimited device connections at the same time
- 24/7 customer service with live chat and email support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Private Internet Access (PIA) has the largest server network of any VPN I’ve tested. With access to 35,000+ servers in 91 countries, you’ll be able to find a nearby speedy server, no matter where you are. When my team and I tested it, we didn’t have issues with user congestion, and could connect to servers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and more that worked with the following services:
| ESPN+ | NHL.TV | Hulu + Live TV | fuboTV |
| Premier Sports (UK) | CBC (Canada) | Sling TV | YouTube TV |
I connected to more than 40 PIA servers and had great speeds for HD streaming on most of them. However, the quality was best on nearby servers — I watched the puck drop and saw every shift in the game in high definition. PIA sorts its servers by latency, so all you have to do is choose servers with a low ping rate or an optimized streaming server to get fast speeds.
PIA worked seamlessly on all the devices I tested. Connecting to a server only took a few clicks on all devices, and I wasn’t surprised to find that it is one of the best VPNs for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and other operating systems. You can connect up to unlimited devices simultaneously or install it on your router and connect all your devices to your preferred location.
While it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN or CyberGhost, PIA offers excellent value for money; you pay just a month on a 2-year + 2 months subscription.
You can also use its 30-day money-back guarantee to watch the NHL with PIA for free. There’s no small print — as long as you request a refund before the guarantee ends, PIA will give you your money back without an issue.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
PIA works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Kodi, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers, and more.
Where to Watch NHL Hockey Games Without Cable in 2024
| Broadcasting Platform | National Broadcasts | RSNs/ In-market games | Price |
| ESPN+ (US) | 1000+ out-of-market games | All games for Canadian teams (Flames, Oilers, Canadiens, Senators, Maple Leafs, Canucks, and Jets) | $9.99/month |
| Hulu + Live TV (US) | All nationally televised games on ABC, ESPN, and TNT | NBS Sports RSNs | $69.99/month |
| DirecTV Stream (US) | All nationally televised games on ABC, ESPN, and TNT | Bally Sports RSNs, NESN, MSG, NBC Sports RSNs, Altitude, AT&T SportsNet RSNs (+$20.00) | $69.99/month |
| YouTube TV (US) | All nationally televised games on ABC, ESPN, and TNT | NBC Sports RSNs | $64.99/month |
| fuboTV (US, Canada, Spain) | Nationally televised games on ABC and ESPN (no TNT games or Stanley Cup) | NESN, MSG, NBC Sports RSNs, Altitude, MSG Sportsnet, AT&T SportsNet RSNs, Root Sports Northwest | $69.99/month |
| Sling TV (Orange) (US) | Nationally televised games on TNT and ESPN (no ABC) | None | $35.00/month |
International 2024 NHL Broadcasters
- SportsNet Now Premium (Canada) — With a premium subscription, you can watch every out-of-market game during the regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. You’ll also have access to all the in-market games for the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers, plus 22 Jets games, 56 Maple Leafs games, 30 Canadiens games, and 27 Senators games.
- CBC (Canada) — Watch Hockey Night free on this Canada-only service that you can now access from anywhere with a VPN.
- Premier Sports (UK) — Watch up to 15 regular season games live weekly and the Stanley Cup Finals.
- Star+ (Latin America) — All 1,300+ games, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final, NHL All-Star Weekend, NHL Winter Classic, and NHL Stadium Series matches. This is the only streaming service that isn’t subject to any NHL blackouts.
- NHL.TV (Worldwide excl. US & Canada) — Blackout restrictions apply to all games being nationally televised in your home country (e.g., UK viewers will not have access to any live broadcasts that are being aired on Premier Sports).
Important! While the VPNs on this list could hypothetically be used to get a US-based IP address from anywhere, doing so for the purposes of bypassing geo-blocks or otherwise streaming from a service that wouldn’t otherwise be available to you goes against the streaming platforms’ terms of service and could constitute copyright infringement. We don’t condone this activity.
How to Sign up With ESPN+ and Watch the 2024 NHL Season
You can sign up for ESPN+ using a credit card or PayPal account. However, remember that ESPN+ is only available in the US, so in order to abide by its terms and conditions you should be physically located there.
Credit Card Method/PayPal Method
- Download a VPN. ExpressVPN reliably works with ESPN+ and is the fastest VPN for streaming the 2024 NHL playoffs.
- Connect to a US server. Since ESPN+ is only available in the US, that’s where you’ll need to connect.
- Visit the ESPN+ website and sign up for a new account. Enter your personal details and click “Sign Up.”
- Pick a plan. Select a monthly or yearly payment plan, your preferred payment method, and enter your payment details. You can use an international credit card or your PayPal account.
- Enjoy watching the 2024 NHL Season on ESPN+.
FAQs on Watching the 2024 NHL Games With a VPN
How do the Stanley Cup Playoffs work?
The Stanley Cup is the NHL’s post-season trophy, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs is the elimination tournament that decides who wins the Cup. It uses a 16-league format, selecting the top teams from the NHL’s divisions and conferences. The playoffs usually last three months, starting in early April and ending in June, during which it is available on multiple streaming platforms.
Three of the best teams in the NHL’s four divisions (Atlantic, Metropolitan, Pacific, and Central) automatically qualify to compete. Two more teams are selected from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, the four wildcards. In the end, 16 teams are selected for the playoffs, four from each division and eight from each conference.
The Stanley Cup has four rounds – the 1st Round, 2nd Round, Conference Finals, and Stanley Cup Finals. In the 1st round, the first seed (or best team) in each given division plays against a wildcard team, and the other two teams play each other. Each round’s winner is determined by a seven-game series where the first team to win four games goes to the next round. The first team to win four games in the Stanley Cup Finals is the winner, and the NHL season is over.
How do I watch Hockey Night in Canada on CBC?
You can easily watch CBC by going to its official website while in Canada. However, even though CBC is available all over Canada and it’s a trustworthy service, it doesn’t mean you’re safe when using it. A top VPN helps you with this by encrypting your entire internet connection so that you’re safe from cyberattacks and all you do online stays private.
This also means that it’s entirely up to you to keep your online activity legal. This is especially important because VPNs on this list could theoretically be used to get a Canadian IP from anywhere, but doing so in order to watch from CBC goes against the platform’s terms of service and could constitute copyright infringement. We don’t condone this.
Can I watch NHL games on Roku, Firestick, Apple TV, and Samsung Smart TV?
Yes, you can watch NHL games on Roku, Firestick, Apple TV, and Samsung Smart TVs through streaming platforms like Hulu + Live TV, ESPN+, and DirecTV Stream. The games are also available for streaming on gaming consoles, Android, iOS, and good old Windows and macOS through most NHL-streaming websites.
Regardless of what device you use, the VPNs I tested provide excellent speeds and a great streaming experience. There’s no risk in trying it since they’re all backed by a money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can always get a full refund.
What else can a VPN do besides helping me access NHL games?
A VPN can help you stay secure online while you watch other sporting events and leagues like the EPL, NFL, MLB, NBA, Formula 1, and many more. If you prefer to watch movies and TV shows, good VPNs will secure your connection while you watch the best streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, etc.
Apart from streaming, quality VPNs keep you anonymous online. Public WiFi in cafes, malls, and hotels are known hotspots for hackers trying to steal user information. In some cases, governments and advertisers are tracking your internet activity without permission. You can use a VPN to protect yourself from them and start surfing the internet safely.
Of all the VPNs I’ve tested, ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN for staying anonymous, and even bypassing strong censorship in places like China. You can start getting the benefits of a VPN now by trying ExpressVPN. Its 30-day money-back guarantee means you can buy and test it risk-free.
Can I watch NHL Hockey games with a free VPN?
Yes, but I don’t recommend it. It’s difficult to find free VPNs that can bypass stream reliably. Usually, they’re riddled with buffering, lag, and poor-quality connections — unlike the recommended VPNs for streaming NHL matches.
This is because their limited servers are almost always overcrowded, which explains why the connection drops every few minutes. Even when I tried the best free VPNs, I missed many goals amidst the lagging and reconnections.
Free VPNs sound good on the surface, but most have shady practices like selling user data, installing malware and serving tons of annoying ads. If you want a smooth stream on any NHL-streaming service, a paid VPN is a no-brainer. ExpressVPN was the best for NHL hockey games during my tests, and you can try it completely risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, you have up to 30 days to claim a refund.
Start Watching NHL Hockey Games From Anywhere Today!
You shouldn’t have to choose between being safe online and watching your favorite hockey games. With a top VPN, you can have the best of both worlds, that is, perfect streaming and bulletproof security and privacy.
ExpressVPN is my top pick for watching the 2024 NHL season. It has the best speeds for live streaming in HD and works with every NHL broadcaster my team and I tested. Best of all, you can try ExpressVPN to watch the NHL risk-free. Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can claim a refund if you’re unsatisfied with its performance. I tested the policy, and my money was back in my account in 4 days.
Summary — These Are the Best VPNs for the NHL Games in 2024
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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