The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs officially began on May 2, 2022, with 16 teams competing for the Stanley Cup. The second round for both the Eastern and Western Conferences began on May 17, with the Stanley Cup Finals likely to take place in the middle of June.

The 2022 NHL playoffs will be broadcast across five channels: ABC, TNT, TBS, ESPN, and ESPN2. Half of both the first and second-round games will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC, while the other half will be broadcast on TBS and TNT. Some playoff games are scheduled for simulcasting on regional sports networks.

But the Stanley Cup Finals will be broadcast exclusively on ABC and ESPN.

While you can watch the games on cable and satellite, they’re conveniently available on live TV streaming services—including Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV. And while there are a variety of streaming options available, it’s best to choose the option that will allow you to watch all of the games.

As with a regular cable or satellite TV plan, you’ll also have to consider the pros and cons of each streaming service. Some streaming services are pricier than others and have different devices that are supported. (We all understand the importance of budgeting with inflation at an all-time high!)

6 Best Streaming Services to Watch the 2022 NHL Playoffs

1. Hulu + Live TV

Costing between $69.99 and $75.99 per month, subscribers of the base plan ($69.99) get access to ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TBS, and TNT. Overall, subscribers will get access to more than 75 live channels, plus Hulu’s entire streaming library (including Disney+ and ESPN+).

Subscribers of the premium plan will enjoy these live channels, the streaming library, and additional content on Disney+ and ESPN+.

Subscribers will also enjoy 50 hours of DVR recording.

Supported Devices for Hulu + Live TV

• Desktops and laptops: Most Mac and PC browsers

• Smart TVs: Select models of LG TV, Samsung TV, Android TV, and Roku TV

• Smartphones and tablets: Android 5.0 and up, iOS 11 and up, and the Amazon Fire tablets

• Game consoles: Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

• Smart home devices: The Amazon Echo Show

• TV streaming media players: Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Five TV Stick, Chromecast, Roku, and Apple TV (4th generation and up)

2. Sling TV

Costing between $35 and $50 per month, Sling TV is the most affordable multi-channel streaming service for streaming the NHL playoffs. You’ll need to sign up for Sling Blue if you want to watch NBC Sports and NBC broadcast network (where it’s available).

Other channels available under Sling Blue include TBS, IFC, FOX Sports, and the NFL Network. Sling Orange carries ESPN.

While Sling TV doesn’t carry ABC, if you pair the subscription with ESPN+, you can watch all of the games that air on ABC. Subscribers also get 50 hours of DVR streaming and they can stream up to three devices simultaneously.

Supported Devices for Sling TV

• Desktops and laptops: Chrome on Windows and Mac are highly recommended

• Smart TVs: Roku TV, Mi TV, Android TV (4.4 and up), Samsung TV (2016 - 2018 models), LG TV (Web OS 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0; select 2016 - 2018 models)

• Smartphones and tablets: Amazon Fire Tablets, Android 4.4 and up, iOS 11 and up

• Game consoles: Xbox One

• TV streaming media players: Roku (LT and up), AirTV, all versions of Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV (4th generation and up), Chromecast

3. YouTube TV

Costing $64.99 per month, subscribers get access to more than 85 channels (including TNT, ABC, ESPN, NBC, and NBC Sports). Great features include unlimited DVR space, six accounts to share with your household, and access to numerous sports channels.

Supported Devices for YouTube TV

• Desktops and laptops: The majority of Mac and PC browsers

• Smart TVs: selected models of Android TV, Hisense, and Sharp; LG TV (2016+ models only), Vizio (selected SmartCast models), and Samsung TV (2016+ models only)

• Smartphones and tablets: iOS 9.1 and up, Android 5.0 and up

• Game consoles: Xbox One

• TV streaming media players: Most models of Roku and Chromecast, Apple TV (4th generation and up), Amazon Fire TV

4. FuboTV

Costing $64.99 per month, FuboTV is the largest cable-free sports streaming option on the market right now. FuboTV also has live ESPN coverage, allowing you to stream both the NHL playoffs and the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Starter package carries NBC, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, and other sports channels. Other add-ons to the Starter package include 250 hours of DVR storage (with the option to upgrade for additional storage space) and the ability to log up to three screens simultaneously.

On the downside, FuboTV does not have TNT, which isn’t great for NHL fans.

Supported Devices for FuboTV

• Desktops and laptops: The majority of Mac and PC browsers

• Smart TVs: Android TV 4.4

• *Smartphones and tablets: **All recent Android and iOS models

• *Game consoles: **N/A

• TV streaming media players: Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick (1st generation and up), Apple TV (4th generation and up)

5. DirecTV Stream

Formerly known as AT&T TV, subscription costs for DirecTV Stream range from $69.99 to $104.99 per month. The Entertainment package has more than 65 channels, including ESPN, TNT, NBC Sports Network, the local NBC Sports Network, CBS, and ABC.

Notable features include unlimited cloud DVR storage and device support for every market-leading operating system and device.

Supported Devices for DirecTV Stream

• Desktops and laptops: The Safari and Chrome browsers are recommended

• Smart TVs: Chromecast Built-in TV, Roku TV (7000X), Android TV (4.4 and up), Mi TV, Amazon Fire TV Edition smart TV (2nd generation and up), Samsung TV (2017 and 2018 models),

• Smartphones and tablets: iOS 10 and up, all Amazon Fire tablets, Android 5.0 and up

• Game consoles: N/A

• TV streaming media players: Amazon Fire TV (2nd generation and up; 1st generation for the Cube), Apple TV (4th generation and up; 5th generation and up for 4K), most models of Roku, Chromecast (2nd generation and up)

6. Peacock

Owned by NBC, Peacock TV is pretty basic and costs only $4.99 per month. On the plus side, subscribers get access to NBC Sports Network and their local NBC broadcast network. This allows them to watch the 2022 NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup Finals without having to pay for a pricey subscription at a multichannel streaming service.

Try Peacock →

The 2022 NHL Playoffs Schedule

The second round of the 2021-2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs began on May 17, 2022. The season is expected to end no later than June 30, 2022.

The final four teams in the Eastern Conference

• Florida Panthers

• Tampa Bay Lightning

• Carolina Hurricanes

• New York Rangers.

The final four teams in the Western Conference

• Edmonton Oilers

• St. Louis Blues

• Calgary Flames

• Colorado Avalanche.

NHL Playoffs Second Round Schedule

As of May 23rd, 2022

Eastern Conference

FLORIDA PANTHERS vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (Tampa Bay leads 3-0)

Game 4 – May 23: Panthers at Lightning, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

Game 5 – May 25: Lightning at Panthers, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, CBC, TVA Sports)

Game 6 – May 27: Panthers at Lightning, TBD

Game 7 – May 29: Lightning at Panthers, TBD

NEW YORK RANGERS vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES (Carolina leads 2-1)

Game 4 – May 24: Hurricanes at Rangers, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVA Sports)

Game 5 – May 26: Rangers at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVA Sports)

Game 6 – May 28: Hurricanes at Rangers, TBD

Game 7 – May 30: Rangers at Hurricanes, TBD

Western Conference

COLORADO AVALANCHE vs. ST. LOUIS BLUES (Colorado leads 2-1)

Game 4 – May 23: Avalanche at Blues, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

Game 5 – May 25: Blues at Avalanche, TBD (TNT, CBC, TVA Sports)

Game 6 – May 27: Avalanche at Blues, TBD

Game 7 – May 29: Blues at Avalanche, TBD

CALGARY FLAMES v. EDMONTON OILERS (Edmonton leads 2-1)

Game 4 – May 24: Flames at Oilers, 9:30 p.m. ET (Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports, ESPN)

Game 5 – May 26: Oilers at Flames, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports)

Game 6 – May 28: Flames at Oilers, TBD

Game 7 – May 30: Oilers at Flames, TBD