Stanley Cup playoffs live stream: how to watch 2023 NHL Conference Finals free online from anywhere

Watch a Stanley Cup Playoffs live stream

You can live stream the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals for free on CBC in Canada. The Conference Finals are on Kayo Sports in Australia. In the US, the channels you need are TNT, ABC and ESPN, with games being live streamed on ESPN Plus too. You can tune in on Viaplay in the UK. Full TV and streaming info for the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs below.

Conference Finals – Game 1 TV times 

• Panthers vs Hurricanes, Game 1 – Thu, May 18, 8 pm ET | TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
• Stars vs Golden Knights, Game 1 – Fri, May 19, 8:30 pm ET | ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2023 preview

Having dumped the Boston Bruins out of the Stanley Cup playoffs in round one, and then despatched the Maple Leafs in round two, the Florida Panthers have made it to the Conference Finals in style. Not bad for a second wild card.

The closest Florida have come to winning the Stanley Cup Finals was in 1996, when they lost to Colorado. Can they see off the Hurricanes – the No.1 seed in the Metro area – and go one better? Game 1 is tonight at 8pm ET on ESPN.

Over in the West, it's the Las Vegas Golden Knights versus the Dallas Stars. The Stars punched their ticket with a 2-1 win over the Kraken in a spectacular Game 7 finale and will fancy their chances against Bruce Cassidy's side.  

The Knights – the No. 1 seed from the Pacific Division – face a replay of the 2020 Western Conference Final, when the Stars defeated them 4-1 before losing to Tampa in the Stanley Cup Final. Can they avenge that loss? Game 1 is at 8.30pm ET on Friday.

Every Conference Final game is free to watch on CBC in Canada.  Here's how to get a 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs live stream no matter where you are in the world. You might want to try a VPN if you're looking to tune into NHL while abroad.

Watch Stanley Cup Playoffs FREE online in Canada

In Canada, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are split between Sportsnet and CBC Sports. All Conference Finals are free on CBC and can be live streamed on the CBC Sports website.

If you're unable to tune in due to geo-blocking restrictions, remember that a VPN is all you need to watch the action as you would at home in Canada. 

Stanley Cup Playoffs live stream: watch every game in the US without cable

Coverage of the 2023 Stanley Cup Conference Finals is available through TNT, ESPN, and ABC. 

The cheapest way to live stream Stanley Cup Playoffs without cable

A subscription to ESPN Plus service, which replaced NHL.tv last year, costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, though it's also available as part of a better value $13.99 package with Hulu and Disney Plus as part of the Disney Bundle.

More ways to watch NHL without cable

Sling TV, meanwhile, is an OTT service that's especially good for NHL fans.

The Sling Orange package offers TNT, ESPN, ESPN2 and TBS in most major markets, with ABC coverage available via simulcasts on ESPN 3. The usual cost is $40 a month, but if you're new to the service you can get 50% off your first month.

How to watch Stanley Cup Playoffs from outside your country

Unfortunately, if you try to watch your domestic coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs from somewhere outside your home country, you'll soon find a problem - geo-blocking.

That's where the broadcaster prevents you from watching your usual feed from abroad. It's a common problem for streamers all over the world, but there's an easy solution.

Use a VPN to live stream 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs from anywhere

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Once you've downloaded the software, just follow the prompts to install it then select the location you want to relocate your IP address to - it really is that easy.

Stanley Cup Playoffs live stream: watch every game in the US without cable

Coverage of the 2023 Stanley Cup Conference Finals is available through TNT, ESPN, and ABC. 

The cheapest way to live stream Stanley Cup Playoffs without cable

A subscription to ESPN Plus service, which replaced NHL.tv last year, costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, though it's also available as part of a better value $13.99 package with Hulu and Disney Plus as part of the Disney Bundle.

More ways to watch NHL without cable

Sling TV, meanwhile, is an OTT service that's especially good for NHL fans.

The Sling Orange package offers TNT, ESPN, ESPN2 and TBS in most major markets, with ABC coverage available via simulcasts on ESPN 3. The usual cost is $40 a month, but if you're new to the service you can get 50% off your first month.

How to watch NHL: live stream Stanley Cup Playoffs in the UK

Viaplay is the exclusive NHL broadcaster in the UK, and is showing every game of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the Conference Finals. 

You'll have to subscribe to the Total package for coverage, which costs £14.99 per month or £143.88 per year.

As well as the NHL, Viaplay has the rights to La Liga football, the United Rugby Championship, the rugby league Championship, plus the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and Champions Hockey League.

• Related: how to watch Indian Premier League cricket free online

How to watch NHL: live stream Stanley Cup Playoffs in Australia

ESPN, available through Foxtel, has got ice hockey fans in Australia covered for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which you can also stream on your laptop or mobile using the Foxtel Now streaming service. 

Alternatively, you can live stream everything that's being shown on ESPN on the incredible sports platform Kayo Sports – better still, new users get a FREE 7-day trial.

Kayo lets you stream on one device with its One plan (AU$25/month), two devices with Basic (AU$30/month), and three devices Premium (AU$35 a month).

Kayo also gives you access to over 50 other sports including cricket, NBA, PGA Tour golf, NRL, F1... the list goes on! Handy if you don't want to go all out on Fox.

Not in Australia right now? Use a VPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your domestic coverage.

Stanley Cup Conference Finals schedule

EASTERN CONFERENCE: 

Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers 

Sat., May 20: Panthers at Hurricanes, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS

Mon., May 22: Hurricanes at Panthers, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS

Wed., May 24: Hurricanes at Panthers, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS

*Fri., May 26: Panthers at Hurricanes, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS

*Sun., May 28: Hurricanes at Panthers, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS

*Tue., May 30: Panthers at Hurricanes, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS

WESTERN CONFERENCE: 

Vegas Golden Knights vs Dallas Stars

Sun., May 21: Stars at Golden Knights, 3 p.m.; ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS

Tue., May 23: Golden Knights at Stars, 8 p.m.; ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS

Thu., May 25: Golden Knights at Stars, 8 p.m.; ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS

*Sat., May 27: Stars at Golden Knights, 8 p.m.; ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS

*Mon., May 29: Golden Knights at Stars, 8 p.m.; ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS

*Wed., May 31: Stars at Golden Knights, 9 p.m.; ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS

*If necessary

STANLEY CUP FINALS 2023

Hurricanes/Panthers vs. Knights/Stars