How the watch NHL playoffs 2025: live stream Stanley Cup ice hockey finals online

• Stream the NHL playoffs 2025 on ESPN via Sling TV and Premier Sports (UK)
• Unblock any stream with NordVPN (save 70% today)
• NHL playoffs 2025 start Saturday, April 19 and run until no later than Monday, June 23

The NHL playoffs 2025 promise to be the most fascinating watch yet, with a decent case for the destination of Stanley Cup to go to anyone of the 16 teams who have qualified from a pulsating regular season.

Below we explore the best ways to watch NHL playoffs live streams online and from anywhere as the Winnipeg Jets look to tighten their grip on the title and defending champions Florida Panthers, who finished third in the Atlantic Division, face state rivals Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs for the second successive year.

Want to see who comes out on top? Here's all the channels for the NHL playoffs live streams, as well as a full schedule of 2025 games.

How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 with a free trial

Though there are no free live streams for the NHL playoffs 2025, there is a free trial available for new subscribers. Try the Kayo (7-day FREE trial) in Australia, with games courtesy of ESPN.

Subscriptions start at AU$30 per month after the trial ends.

ABROAD? You unblock your usual stream with a high-quality VPN. Details below.

Use a VPN to watch any NHL playoffs 2025 stream

Exclusive deal

NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
We regularly review all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice. It unblocked every streaming service in testing and it's very straightforward to use as we explain in our 5-star NordVPN review.

The best value plan is the two-year deal which sets the price at $3.09 per month. There's also an all-important a 30-day no-quibble refund if you decide it's not for you.

- Try NordVPN 100% risk-free for 30 days

How to watch NHL playoffs live stream in the US

In the US, the the NHL playoffs 2025 games are being shared across TNT, ESPN and ABC and their respective streaming services. The final will be on TNT – the full split of games and channels is below.

You can watch these channels on most cable packages, but if you're a cord-cutter, you can tune in via one of the best cable alternative services, such as Sling (50% off), Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and YouTube TV.

Our top pick is Sling. Sling Blue will get you 40+ channels including the TNT and ABC in select cities. Sling Orange has TNT and ESPN, and you can combine both plans for as little as $60.99/month.

Limited time offer: Get a 50% off your first month.

PREFERRED PARTNER

All TNT games will simulcast on truTV and stream on Max. Max plans start at $9.99/month, increasing to remove the ads.

ESPN Plus will stream the games on ESPN and ABC, and starts at $11.99/month.

You needn't find yourself in a pickle if you're abroad either, as using a good VPN as described above will let you watch the streaming services and content you pay for at home, from anywhere in the world.

How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in Canada

In Canada, Sportsnet will be showing the NHL playoffs 2025 games.

You can either watch Sportsnet on the TV, or access Sportsnet+ by logging in with your TV provider or taking out a standalone subscription. A Standard subscription costs $24.99/month ($199.99/year) or for Premium it's $34.99 ($249.99/year).

Just remember that if you're abroad right now you can use a VPN to magically transport yourself back in Canada to live stream NHL playoffs 2025 coverage just like you would at home.

How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in the UK

Premier Sports will show NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in the UK.

Premier Sports costs £15.99/month, or you can take out an annual plan for £131.88, which works out to be £10.99 per month.

Though a smaller streaming service, Premier Sports also offers various rugby competitions as well as La Liga and Coppa Italia.

Not in the UK at the moment? To access your usual streaming service from outside the UK, you'll need to download a good VPN as detailed above.

How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in Australia

In Australia, the NHL playoffs 2025 will be on ESPN via Foxtel or Kayo Sports.

Kayo Sports starts at just $25/month with loads of live sport on offer.

Not in Australia right now? Aussies abroad looking to watch the hockey should find that a good VPN helps them access their home streaming services wherever they are.

How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in Mexico

In Mexico, you can watch NHL hockey and the Stanley Cup playoffs 2025 on Sky Sports on your TV, or stream ESPN via Disney Plus.

To get all ESPN channels, you'll need the Disney Plus premium package, which costs MXN$299 a month.

However, if you're visiting Mexico and want to just watch the NHL playoffs 2025 on your usual service, you can do a VPN to do exactly that. We recommend NordVPN – find full instructions and a great discount up above.

How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams worldwide

In many countries around the world it's possible to get an NHL TV subscription to live stream the Stanley Cup 2025 playoffs. Visit the NHL TV website for more details on prices in your country and how to sign up.

For a list of the broadcast options in your country, check out this handy guide from the NHL website, which explains which TV channel and streaming options you have.

Remember, if you're not in your home country at the moment, you'll need a VPN to watch as normal. We recommend NordVPN

NHL playoffs round one bracket 2025

NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket

• Toronto (A1) vs. Ottawa (WC1)
  April 20: Ottawa @ Toronto 7pm, ESPN
  April 22: Ottawa @ Toronto 7.30pm, ESPN
  April 24: Toronto @ Ottawa 7pm, ESPN
  April 26: Toronto @ Ottawa 7pm, TBS
  April 29: Ottawa @ Toronto (if needed)
  May 1: Toronto @ Ottawa (if needed)
  May 3: Ottawa @ Toronto (if needed)
• Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Florida (A3)
  April 22: Florida @ Tampa Bay 8.30pm, ESPN
  April 24: Florida @ Tampa Bay 6.30pm, TBS
  April 26: Tampa Bay @ Florida 1pm, TBS
  April 28: Tampa Bay @ Florida TBD
  April 30: Florida @ Tampa Bay (if needed)
  May 2: Tampa Bay @ Florida (if needed)
  May 4: Florida @ Tampa Bay (if needed)
• Washington (M1) vs. Montreal (WC2)
  April 21: Montreal @ Washington 7pm, ESPN
  April 23: Montreal @ Washington 7pm, ESPN
  April 25: Washington @ Montreal 7pm, TNT
  April 27: Washington @ Montreal 6.30pm, TBS
  April 30: Montreal @ Washington (if needed)
  May 2: Washington @ Montreal (if needed)
  May 4: Montreal @ Washington (if needed)
• Carolina (M2) vs. New Jersey (M3)
  April 20: New Jersey @ Carolina 3pm, ESPN
  April 22: New Jersey @ Carolina 6pm, ESPN
  April 25: Carolina @ New Jersey 8pm, TBS
  April 27: Carolina @ New Jersey 3.30pm, TBS
  April 29: New Jersey @ Carolina (if needed)
  May 2: Carolina @ New Jersey (if needed)
  May 4: New Jersey @ Carolina (if needed)

NHL Western Conference playoff bracket

• Winnipeg (C1) vs. St. Louis (WC2)
  April 19: St. Louis @ Winnipeg 6pm, TNT
  April 21: St. Louis @ Winnipeg 7.30pm, ESPN
  April 24: Winnipeg @ St. Louis 9.30pm, ESPN
  April 27: Winnipeg @ St. Louis 1pm, TBS
  April 30: St. Louis @ Winnipeg (if needed)
  May 2: Winnipeg @ St. Louis (if needed)
  May 4: St. Louis @ Winnipeg (if needed)
• Dallas (C2) vs. Colorado (C3)
  April 19: Colorado @ Dallas 8.30pm, TNT
  April 21: Colorado @ Dallas 9.30pm, ESPN
  April 23: Dallas @ Colorado 9.30pm, ESPN
  April 26: Dallas @ Colorado 9.30pm, TBS
  April 28: Colorado @ Dallas (if needed)
  May 1: Dallas @ Colorado (if needed)
  May 3: Colorado @ Dallas (if needed)
• Vegas (P1) vs. Minnesota (WC1)
  April 20: Minnesota @ Vegas 10pm, ESPN
  April 22: Minnesota @ Vegas 11pm, ESPN
  April 24: Vegas @ Minnesota 9pm, TBS
  April 26: Vegas @ Minnesota 4pm, TBS
  April 29: Minnesota @ Vegas (if needed)
  May 1: Vegas @ Minnesota (if needed)
  May 3: Minnesota @ Vegas (if needed)
• Los Angeles (P2) vs. Edmonton (P3)
  April 21: Edmonton @ Los Angeles 10pm, ESPN
  April 23: Edmonton @ Los Angeles 10pm, TBS
  April 25: Los Angeles @ Edmonton 10pm, TNT
  April 27: Los Angeles @ Edmonton 9.30pm, TBS
  April 29: Edmonton @ Los Angeles (if needed)
  May 1: Los Angeles @ Edmonton (if needed)
  May 3: Edmonton @ Los Angeles (if needed)

A1, A2, A3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Atlantic Division, respectively

M1, M2, M3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Metropolitan Division, respectively

C1, C2, C3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Central Division, respectively

P1, P2, P3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Pacific Division, respectively

WC – Wild Card teams

NHL Playoffs 2025 predictions

Winnipeg looked in great form all year, with superb goaltender Connor Hellebuyck much to the fore, and will look to end their Stanley Cup drought after 13 seasons and seven playoff attempts. The Presidents' Cup winners face the St. Louis Blues in the first round in a second playoff meeting between the sides; Winnipeg won three of the four meetings this year.

Defending champions Florida Panthers finished third in the Atlantic Division and face state rivals Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs for the second successive year. The Panthers have been a bit up and down, but they know how to win.

Beaten finalists last year, Edmonton Oilers hope star defenceman Mattias Ekholm can return soon, though it's confirmed he'll miss the first match of the first round against Los Angeles Kings.

Las Vegas Golden Knights meet Minnesota Wild in a game they’d expect to win after another strong season for captain Mark Stone, while Carolina Hurricanes, who looked superb all season, have faltered since April. Can they return to top form against New Jersey Devils

Everything to know about the NHL Playoffs