The puck has dropped on another NHL season. The regular season runs from early October to mid April, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs push hockey all the way into June. That is up to nine months of games, and if you are paying a cable bill of about $127 a month just to follow your team, the cost adds up fast.
The good news: you do not need cable to watch hockey in 2026. This guide breaks down which channels carry NHL games in the US and Canada, what the main streaming options really cost over a full season, and how to get set up before your next game.
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KrushTV includes NHL Network, TNT, TBS, ESPN2, Sportsnet, TSN 1 to 5 and local stations in many US cities. No credit card needed.
Where NHL Games Air in 2026
NHL rights are split across several networks, which is exactly why hockey fans get frustrated. Here is where games show up.
United States: national games
- TNT and TBS: TNT Sports carries a weekly national schedule during the regular season, plus a large share of playoff rounds. The Stanley Cup Final alternates each year between TNT and ABC.
- ABC and ESPN2: ABC airs marquee Saturday games late in the season, and ESPN2 picks up national games and overflow coverage through the year.
- NHL Network: Live games, highlights, NHL Tonight and full playoff coverage when the bracket gets busy.
United States: local games
Most of your team's 82 games air locally, not nationally. Depending on your market, that means a regional sports network such as one of the NBC Sports regional networks, or a local broadcast station, as more teams have moved games to over the air partners. For more on how local stations work outside of cable, read our guide to local channels on IPTV.
Canada
- Sportsnet: The national rights holder, home of Hockey Night in Canada on Saturdays, Rogers Hometown Hockey style national windows and most of the playoffs.
- TSN 1 to 5: Regional rights for teams like the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Senators and Jets, plus extensive highlights and analysis.
NHL Channel Checklist
| Channel | What it carries | On KrushTV |
|---|---|---|
| TNT / TBS | National games, playoffs, Stanley Cup Final in alternating years | Yes |
| ESPN2 | National games and overflow coverage | Yes |
| ABC (local station) | Saturday showcase games, Stanley Cup Final in alternating years | Yes, in many US cities |
| NHL Network | Live games, highlights, playoff coverage | Yes |
| NBC Sports regional networks | Local team games in their markets | Yes |
| Sportsnet (Canada) | Hockey Night in Canada, national games, playoffs | Yes |
| TSN 1 to 5 | Regional Canadian team games | Yes |
What a Full NHL Season Costs: Cable vs Streamers vs KrushTV
Monthly prices look small until you multiply them across a hockey season. The table below uses the seven months of the regular season (October to April). Add two more months if your team makes a deep playoff run.
| Option | Price | Oct to April cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average cable | About $127/month | About $889 | Usually plus box fees and a contract |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/month | About $581 | No Canadian networks |
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99/month | About $581 | No Canadian networks |
| Sling TV | $40 to $60/month | About $280 to $420 | Channel mix depends on package |
| ESPN+ | $11.99/month | About $84 | Streaming games only, no TNT or local channels |
| KrushTV 1 Year | $75 one time | $75 (covers playoffs too) | US, Canada and UK channels, never auto-renews |
A quick tip on choosing a plan: the 6 Months plan ($60) bought in October runs out around April, right when playoff races heat up. The 1 Year plan at $75 (about $6.25 a month) covers the entire regular season, every playoff round and the summer, so it is the better fit for hockey fans. See every option on the pricing page. If you want a deeper look at the big live TV streamers, our IPTV vs YouTube TV vs Hulu Live comparison goes channel by channel.
Why KrushTV Works Well for Hockey Fans
Hockey is a cross border sport. A Bruins fan in Florida, a Canucks fan in Seattle or a Leafs fan in New York usually needs channels from more than one country. KrushTV puts US networks like TNT, TBS, ESPN2 and NHL Network next to Sportsnet and TSN 1 to 5, so you are not juggling separate subscriptions.
- Sports Guide: The KrushTV app lists today's games with live scores and the channel each game is on, so you are not flipping through 10,000+ channels on a busy Saturday night.
- 2 screens on every plan: Watch the game in the living room while someone else streams on a tablet. Need more? Add 2 screens for $40 on the 1 Year plan.
- Family PIN: Hides adult content, so the kids can flip to the game safely.
- More than hockey: 70,000+ movies and series for the offseason, plus My List and Continue watching.
Planning to drop cable for good? Our guide to cutting the cord and keeping your sports channels covers football, basketball and baseball too.
How to Set Up NHL Streaming in Minutes
- Start the free trial. Message KrushTV on WhatsApp at +1 949-594-8817 or use the chat on the free trial page. You get 3 days, no credit card.
- Install the app. On Firestick, Fire TV or Android TV, open the Downloader app and enter code 6826306. Android phones and tablets can use the KrushTV app too.
- Using another device? iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Smart TVs and PCs work through player apps like IPTV Smarters or TiviMate. Step by step instructions are on the setup guides page.
- Open the Sports Guide and pick tonight's game.
Test your local team's channel during the trial, ideally on a game night, so you know exactly what you are getting before you pay anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channels show NHL games in 2026?
In the US, national NHL games air on TNT, TBS, ESPN2 and ABC, with NHL Network adding live games and studio coverage. Local teams appear on regional networks such as the NBC Sports regional networks and on local broadcast stations. In Canada, Sportsnet holds the national package and TSN carries many regional games.
Can I watch NHL games in Canada without cable?
Yes. KrushTV includes Sportsnet (Canada) and TSN 1 to 5, the two networks that carry most NHL games in Canada, including Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet and many Leafs, Canadiens, Senators and Jets regional games on TSN.
How much does it cost to watch the NHL without cable?
For the October to April regular season, YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV at $82.99/month comes to about $581, Sling TV runs about $280 to $420, and average cable is about $889. KrushTV's 1 Year plan is a one-time $75 payment that covers the full regular season and playoffs.
Can I watch my local NHL team without cable?
KrushTV carries NBC Sports regional networks and local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations in many US cities, plus TSN and Sportsnet in Canada. Regional coverage depends on your team, so the best way to check is the free 3-day trial.
Is there a free trial to test NHL streams?
Yes. KrushTV offers a free 3-day trial with no credit card. Message on WhatsApp at +1 949-594-8817 or use the chat on krushtv.com to start it.
Bottom Line
Following the NHL no longer means a $127 cable bill or nearly $83 a month for a live TV streamer. With TNT, TBS, ESPN2, NHL Network, local stations, Sportsnet and TSN in one place, KrushTV's 1 Year plan covers the whole season and the playoffs for a single $75 payment that never auto-renews. Questions? Support is available 24/7 on WhatsApp or at support.krushtv@gmail.com.
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