How To Watch the NHL in 2022-23

By Rich Calder

It’s been a little over three months since the Colorado Avalanche hoisted the Stanley Cup after storming through the playoffs and defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning on the two-time defending champion’s home ice.

Despite the Avalanche’s dominant 16–4 record in last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs, this year’s National Hockey League season is expected to be wide open. Besides the Avalanche and Lightning, other top contenders to win it all include the Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers, according to Vegas oddsmakers.

The NHL will hold its traditional North America opening October 11 with ESPN and ESPN+ airing an action-packed doubleheader.

Game 1 is a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden between the visiting Lightning and New York Rangers, beginning at 7:30 p.m. EST. Game 2 airs 10 p.m. EST and features the Los Angeles Kings welcoming the Vegas Golden Knights to Crypto.com Arena.

To follow the road to the Stanley Cup in the comfort of your own home, there are many viewing options.

How can I best watch the NHL?

ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu, TNT, the NHL Network and ABC will combine to cover every nationally broadcasted game this season.

You can stream 103 games on Walt Disney Company networks: ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu and ABC.

TNT’s weekly schedule will include 27 Wednesday-night games. In March and April, the network will also add four weeks of Sunday games. And for the first time, TNT will be telecasting the Stanley Cup Finals, in addition to half of all playoff games in earlier rounds.

For those not satisfied with just watching nationally televised games and local market games on regional networks, ESPN+ is a must-have. This streaming service—whether standalone or bundled with Disney+ and Hulu—allows you to watch more than 1,000 out-of-market games on top of some nationally televised games.

You can watch ESPN+ on your smartphone or TV via the ESPN app.

Cord cutters who dropped traditional cable can rely on DirecTV Stream’s “Choice” plan, FuboTV, YouTube TV and Bally Sports+ to connect with regional sports networks carrying hockey. In most cases, these services will also provide nationally televised games.

How will the pandemic affect the NHL this season? 

It’s not expected to… finally.

On October 1, Canada lifted its Covid-19 travel restrictions requiring people entering the country to be vaccinated, including NHL players and other pro athletes who were previously prohibited from playing in the country. This year, the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks will join the NHL’s 30 other franchises in opening their arenas once again to full capacity with pandemic restrictions ended.

What are some key NHL matchups to watch? 

1. Beware of the “Green Monster.” The Boston Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins outdoors at Fenway Park during the NHL Winter Classic. It airs January 2 on TNT.

2. FLA Live Arena, home of the Florida Panthers, will be home to the NHL All-Star Skills Competition on February 3 and the All-Star Game on February 4. The skills competition will air on ESPN, while ABC and ESPN+ will televise the game.

3. The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals will play in the debut of the NHL’s new Stadium Series, which will be held outdoors February 18 on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. Both ESPN and ESPN+ will be carrying the game.

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Program availability may have changed and is subject to change. Streaming services may require a subscription and sometimes an additional fee.