The 2025-26 NHL season is here, featuring high-stakes matchups like the "Frozen Frenzy" and the 2026 Winter Classic. Whether you are following Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers, reigning champions Florida Panthers, or the league-dominating Colorado Avalanche streaming hockey has become more specialized this year.
With 82 games played per team in a regular season, there are a lot of matches to catch if you're committed to an NHL team. Not to panic, nationally broadcast NHL games feature on an accessible set of networks, while many games will feature on regional channels as well. We've brought together our the
streaming services in the United States to watch and live stream the National Hockey League in 2025.
ESPN, ABC, and Disney Family coverage
The Walt Disney Company serves as the primary pillar of NHL distribution, holding the rights to 100 exclusive national games for the 2025-2026 campaign. The distribution within the Disney ecosystem is increasingly focused on the "ESPN" app as a centralized hub, which integrates linear feeds, direct-to-consumer (DTC) content, and out-of-market game packages.
Disney’s strategy leverages ABC for mass-market reach, particularly through the "ABC Hockey Saturday" window, which debuted on January 3, 2026. These games represent the only nationally televised NHL content available over-the-air without a paid subscription, though they are simulcast on ESPN’s digital platforms for authenticated users. The 2026 Stanley Cup Final returns exclusively to the Walt Disney Company, with the entire series slated for broadcast on ABC.
| Platform | Game Allocation (Approx.) | Key Events |
| ABC | 16 Games | Stanley Cup Final, Saturday Matinees |
| ESPN | 50+ Games | Opening Night, Stadium Series, Playoffs |
| ESPN+/Hulu | 47 Exclusive Games | Weekly National Windows |
| NHL Power Play | 1,050+ Games | Out-of-Market Regular Season |
Streaming with ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited
ESPN Select is now the name for the platform the fans new for years as ESPN+. Priced at $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year, this tier is the essential tool for the displaced fan. Its primary feature for hockey fans is "NHL Power Play," the league’s out-of-market package that provides access to more than 1,050 regular-season games.
However, the Select tier is intentionally limited to maintain the exclusivity of the linear networks. It does not provide access to games airing on the ESPN or ESPN2 cable channels, nor does it include ABC games unless they are specifically designated for a digital simulcast.
On the other hand, ESPN Unlimited is priced at $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year and represents the network's most aggressive move toward becoming a replacement for cable. It includes the entire suite of 12 ESPN networks and services, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and the SEC and ACC Networks.
| Feature | ESPN Select | ESPN Unlimited |
| Monthly Subscription | $12.99 | $29.99 |
| Annual Subscription | $129.99 | $299.99 |
| Out-of-Market Games (Power Play) | Included | Included |
| Linear ESPN/ESPN2 Feeds | No | Yes |
| ABC Games via Streaming | Limited | Yes |
| Exclusive ESPN+ National Games | Included | Included |
| Number of Devices | 3 | 3 |
TNT and Max coverage
TNT remains the exclusive home for marquee mid-season events, including the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic. For this year’s iteration, the league has choose a non-traditional hockey market, featuring the Florida Panthers hosting the New York Rangers in an outdoor venue in Miami on January 2, 2026.
Additionally, TNT is still the host of the annual Thanksgiving Showdown on Black Friday, which in 2025 featured an Original Six matchup between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins.
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YouTubeTV
YouTube TV remains a good choice for fans who prioritize national game coverage and a streamlined user interface. For $82.99 per month, the base plan includes ABC, ESPN, and TNT. Early in 2026, the service is slated to introduce genre-specific "YouTube TV Plans," including a dedicated "Sports Plan" that will bundle the major broadcasters with specialized networks and potentially the ESPN Unlimited tier. The primary drawback for die-hard sports fans wishing to use YouTube TV's is its limited carriage of RSNs, which can result in local game blackouts for many teams. 
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FUBO
Fubo is arguably the most comprehensive service for fans prioritizing their local team’s RSN broadcasts. It carries a vast array of local channels and specialized sports networks, including NHL Network.
Fubo also offered a free trial for new users.
The drawback with Fubo is that the platform does not carry TNT and TBS, meaning subscribers will miss a portion of the national NHL schedule during the regular season and a significant portion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is often cited as the "best of both worlds" for hockey fans, despite having a higher price point. The "Choice" package ($108.99/month) includes almost all RSNs in every major market, alongside the full slate of national broadcasters and the NHL Network.
For fans who want a single, integrated interface that covers both their local team and every national matchup, DirecTV Stream is the most straightforward solution.
