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NHL free live streams: How to watch 2026 Stanley Cup playoff hockey games without cable originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The best part of hockey season is finally here — the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are getting underway this weekend.
The Eastern Conference bracket sees the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes leading the charge. For the Sabres, this appearance ends the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports at 14 years. The Lightning and Penguins follow close behind in the bracket as looming threats.
The Colorado Avalanche claimed the President's Trophy as the top overall seed and will face the Kings to open their postseason run. Also out West, the Utah Mammoth make their playoff debut against another Cup hopeful in the Vegas Golden Knights.
Be sure to tune in for some playoff hockey.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including how to stream each game and series without cable.
NHL free live streams
Fans can stream every game from the Stanley Cup Playoffs live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. Games airing on ESPN networks can also be streamed live via fubo, another service offering a free trial period.
Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
NHL playoffs schedule, scores 2026
First Round
Sabres vs. Bruins
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| April 19 | Game 1: Bruins at Sabres | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV,fubo |
| April 21 | Game 2: Bruins at Sabres | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 23 | Game 3: Sabres at Bruins | 7:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 26 | Game 4: Sabres at Bruins | 2:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 28 | Game 5*: Bruins at Sabres | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 6*: Sabres at Bruins | TBD | TBD |
| May 3 | Game 7*: Bruins at Sabres | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Lightning vs. Canadiens
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| April 19 | Game 1: Canadiens at Lightning | 5:45 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 21 | Game 2: Canadiens at Lightning | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN2, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 24 | Game 3: Lightning at Canadiens | 7:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 26 | Game 4: Lightning at Canadiens | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 29 | Game 5*: Canadiens at Lightning | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 6*: Lightning at Canadiens | TBD | TBD |
| May 3 | Game 7*: Canadiens at Lightning | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Hurricanes vs. Senators
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| April 18 | Game 1: Senators at Hurricanes | 3:00 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV,fubo |
| April 20 | Game 2: Senators at Hurricanes | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 23 | Game 3: Hurricanes at Senators | 7:30 p.m. | TBS, DIRECTV |
| April 25 | Game 4: Hurricanes at Senators | 3:00 p.m. | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 27 | Game 5*: Senators at Hurricanes | TBD | TBD |
| April 30 | Game 6*: Hurricanes at Senators | TBD | TBD |
| May 2 | Game 7*: Senators at Hurricanes | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Penguins vs. Flyers
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| April 18 | Game 1: Flyers at Penguins | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV,fubo |
| April 20 | Game 2: Flyers at Penguins | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 22 | Game 3: Penguins at Flyers | 7:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 25 | Game 4: Penguins at Flyers | 8:00 p.m. | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 27 | Game 5*: Flyers at Penguins | TBD | TBD |
| April 29 | Game 6*: Penguins at Flyers | TBD | TBD |
| May 2 | Game 7*: Flyers at Penguins | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Avalanche vs. Kings
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| April 19 | Game 1: Kings at Avalanche | 3:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 21 | Game 2: Kings at Avalanche | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 23 | Game 3: Avalanche at Kings | 10:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 26 | Game 4: Avalanche at Kings | 4:30 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 29 | Game 5*: Kings at Avalanche | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 6*: Avalanche at Kings | TBD | TBD |
| May 3 | Game 7*: Kings at Avalanche | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Stars vs. Wild
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| April 18 | Game 1: Wild at Stars | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV,fubo |
| April 20 | Game 2: Wild at Stars | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 22 | Game 3: Stars at Wild | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 25 | Game 4: Stars at Wild | 5:30 p.m. | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 28 | Game 5*: Wild at Stars | TBD | TBD |
| April 30 | Game 6*: Stars at Wild | TBD | TBD |
| May 2 | Game 7*: Wild at Stars | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Golden Knights vs. Mammoth
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| April 19 | Game 1: Mammoth at Golden Knights | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV,fubo |
| April 21 | Game 2: Mammoth at Golden Knights | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 24 | Game 3: Golden Knights at Mammoth | 9:30 p.m. | TBS, DIRECTV |
| April 27 | Game 4: Golden Knights at Mammoth | TBD | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 29 | Game 5*: Mammoth at Golden Knights | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 6*: Golden Knights at Mammoth | TBD | TBD |
| May 3 | Game 7*: Mammoth at Golden Knights | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Oilers vs. Ducks
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| April 20 | Game 1: Ducks at Oilers | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN2, DIRECTV,fubo |
| April 22 | Game 2: Ducks at Oilers | 10:00 p.m. | TBS, DIRECTV |
| April 24 | Game 3: Oilers at Ducks | 10:00 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 26 | Game 4: Oilers at Ducks | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo |
| April 28 | Game 5*: Ducks at Oilers | TBD | TBD |
| April 30 | Game 6*: Oilers at Ducks | TBD | TBD |
| May 2 | Game 7*: Ducks at Oilers | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
NHL playoff bracket 2026
Click here for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, updated live as series are completed.
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