The NBA play-in and playoffs may have already begun, but for hockey fans, the fun starts on Saturday. This weekend brings the first batch of action for the NHL playoffs, with 16 teams fighting for the chance to hoist one of sports’ greatest trophies in June.
Like the NBA, games for this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs will be split between the Turner and Disney networks (TNT, TBS, ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2). Here’s everything you need to know to catch all the action with or without cable.
Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the Boston Bruins in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
What is the playoff schedule?
Here’s the schedule for the next few days of NHL action (all times ET).
Saturday, April 20
- Islanders vs. Hurricanes, 5 p.m. on TBS
- Maple Leafs vs. Bruins, 8 p.m. on TBS
Sunday, April 21
- Lightning vs. Panthers, 12:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Capitals vs. Rangers, 3 p.m. on ESPN
- Avalanche vs. Jets, 7 p.m. on ESPN 2
- Predators vs. Canucks 10 p.m. on ESPN
Monday, April 22
- Maple Leafs vs. Bruins, 7 p.m. on ESPN (Game 2)
- Islanders vs. Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN 2 (Game 2)
- Golden Knights vs. Stars, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Kings vs. Oilers, 10 p.m. on ESPN 2
What does the NHL playoff bracket look like?
The New York Rangers earned the top spot in the East with 114 points, while the Dallas Stars claimed the West’s first seed with 113 points. Here’s what the matchups look like for the 2024 NHL playoffs.
How to watch the NHL playoffs
With the first batch of first-round games airing on TBS, ESPN and ESPN 2, you can watch the NHL playoffs with a cable subscription or a live TV streaming service. Four of the five major services (all but Fubo) offer both channels. You can also watch the TBS games with Max.
The rest of the playoffs will be shown on ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, TBS and TNT.
Sling TV’s $40-per-month Orange plan includes TBS, TNT, ESPN and ESPN 2, but you’ll need the combined Orange-and-Blue plan for $55 a month to get both ESPN and ABC for the rest of the playoffs. You’ll also need to live in one of the few markets where Sling offers ABC.
YouTube TV costs $73 per month and includes all the channels you’ll need for the NHL playoffs. Plug in your ZIP code on its welcome page to confirm which local networks are available in your area.
Hulu with Live TV costs $77 per month and includes all the channels you’ll need for the playoffs. Click the “View channels in your area” link on its welcome page to confirm which local channels are offered in your ZIP code.
The ad-supported plan for Max costs $10 per month and will show the games that air on TBS and TNT. With just Max, however, you’ll miss games on ESPN and ABC.
Live sports on Max will soon require the $10-per-month B/R Sports add-on, but you won’t need to shell out for it just yet. Warner Bros. Discovery is delaying charging customers for the add-on for now and includes it in the standard subscription.
All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.
