How to watch blackout NHL games on ESPN+ and NHL.TV?
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Facing blackouts for NHL matches on ESPN+ or NHL.TV ? A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the simplest way to bypass NHL blackouts. By routing your connection through a server in another state, you can change your virtual location and watch games that would otherwise be restricted in your area.
These blackout rules exist because Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) hold exclusive local broadcasting rights. When an RSN airs a game in your market, national platforms like ESPN+ and NHL.TV must block it to honor those agreements. That means even if you’ve paid for a full NHL streaming package, some matchups will remain off‑limits within a team’s home territory.
Steps to avoid NHL blackouts:
- Subscribe to a VPN service. NordVPN is highly recommended VPN provider with a huge servers network with over 7000 servers worldwide. Based on our tests results it's the fastest VPN on the market, this will ensure smooth streaming without buffering. NordVPN currently offers a 76% discount.
- Download and install the VPN. VPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV and other streaming devices.
- For ESPN+ blackouts: Connect to a VPN server in a different US state that's not affected by the local blackout. For example, if you're in Boston and Bruins games are blacked out, connect to a server in California.
- For NHL.TV users outside US/Canada: Connect to a VPN server in a country without NHL.TV restrictions, such as the Netherlands or Germany.
- Log in to your ESPN+ or NHL.TV account and enjoy watching any NHL game without blackout restrictions.
With ESPN+ (which now includes NHL Power Play), you can stream over 1,050 out-of-market NHL games, and a VPN helps you access those local games that would otherwise be blacked out. Click here for detailed step by step guide on how to use VPN for NHL blackouts
Best 5 NHL VPNs to bypass blackouts
- NordVPN – best VPN for streaming NHL without blackouts on ESPN+
- Surfshark – VPN with unlimited devices for NHL on ESPN+ and NHL.TV
- IPVanish – beginner friendly VPN to watch NHL
- ExpressVPN – VPN that can get around NHL geo-blocks
- CyberGhost VPN – VPN with a huge servers fleet
Best VPNs to watch NHL anywhere – detailed list
At Cybernews we have tested and reviewed 41 different VPN services. For this article I selected 5 best options for bypassing NHL blackouts. While my top choice for streaming NHL games is NordVPN, other services like Surfshark, IPVanish, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost are also viable options. I choose these VPNs based on criteria such as the number of servers across the US, modern tunneling protocols for fast connections, robust security features, and excellent compatibility with various devices, including PCs, smartphones, routers, and streaming devices. My final list of the top 5 VPNs for the NHL stood out in terms of features and performance during our in-house testing, making them ideal choices for watching blacked-out NHL games.T
1. NordVPN – the best VPN for bypassing NHL blackouts
| Servers/countries: | 7600 servers in 118 countries |
| Works with: | ESPN+, NHL.TV, Hulu, Sling TV, Fubo, and more |
| Price: | From $3.39/month |
NordVPN is a favorite among users for good reason — it's reliable and highly effective when it comes to unblocking sports streams like NHL.TV and ESPN+, making it a top choice to watch blackout NHL games on ESPN+. Based on my experience, this VPN handles geo-restricted content with ease, which is why it earned a top spot on this list.
Streaming
During my testing, NordVPN had no trouble bypassing regional blackouts on ESPN+ or accessing NHL.TV in countries where the service is available. I also tested it with other popular platforms like Netflix, YouTube TV, and MLB.TV, and it worked without a problem. One thing I really liked is how it has apps for smart TVs and streaming devices, so I didn’t have to jump through hoops to get my streams working on my big screen. Compared to other VPNs, like ExpressVPN, which also excel at streaming, NordVPN consistently gets the job done.
Server network
NordVPN has a wide range of servers, with over 6000 globally and plenty in key locations for streaming. In the US, it has servers in 16 locations, which gives you flexibility in finding one that works for bypassing ESPN+ blackouts or streaming NHL.TV. It also has three locations in Canada, which I found helpful for watching regional sports content.
Speed
Speed is a make-or-break factor for streaming, especially for live sports, and I was impressed with NordVPN’s performance. Using its NordLynx protocol, I retained around 90% of my original internet speed. Streaming NHL games in HD was smooth, with no noticeable lag or buffering. While Surfshark also offers great speeds, I found NordVPN to be more consistent, particularly on longer connections. If you’re watching live sports, the steady performance really makes a difference.
Pricing
One of the things I appreciate about NordVPN is that it’s reasonably priced for what you get. Plans start at just $3.39/month, which is competitive with other top VPNs like Surfshark. There’s also a 7-day free trial (if you're on mobile) and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free. Based on my experience, the value is great, and the pricing is straightforward — there aren’t any sneaky fees or complicated cancellation processes, which is a relief.
To learn more, check out our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – VPN that bypasses NHL blackouts on unlimited devices
| Servers/countries: | 3200 servers in 100 countries |
| Works with: | ESPN+, NHL.TV, Hulu, Star+, YouTube TV, and more |
| Price: | From $1.99/month |
Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs for bypassing NHL blackouts on ESPN+ or NHL.TV. It’s a great choice for both experienced and new users due to its ease of use, affordability, and powerful performance.
Streaming
With Surfshark, you can access a wide range of streaming services, from ESPN+ and NHL.TV to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more. What stood out to me was the Smart DNS feature, which lets you stream on devices that don’t support VPNs, like smart TVs or consoles. And the best part? You can connect unlimited devices at the same time, so the whole family can stream what they like without limitations.
Server network
Surfshark offers more than 600 servers across 25 US cities and 3 in Canada, making it simple to find a server that bypasses NHL blackouts in your area. I had no trouble finding a fast and reliable connection. While a few other VPNs offer more server locations, Surfshark’s network is big enough to cover everything you’ll need, especially for NHL games.
Speed
One of Surfshark’s strengths is its impressive speed retention. With the WireGuard protocol, it held about 86% of my normal internet speed, and I experienced no buffering or lag while watching NHL games. The video quality stayed sharp throughout. This kind of performance makes streaming smooth and enjoyable, and it’s one of the reasons Surfshark is a top contender for streaming sports.
Pricing
At just $1.99/month, Surfshark is one of the most budget-friendly VPNs available. Plus, it offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can give it a shot without any financial risk. While it might not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end VPNs, the combination of price and performance makes it a fantastic deal.
If you wish to know more, reading our Surfshark review is a good place to start.
3. IPVanish – VPN for NHL with fast connections
| Servers/countries: | 2400 servers in 109 countries |
| Works with: | ESPN+, NHL.TV, Hulu, NHL Live, Premier Sports |
| Price: | From $2.19/month |
With 17 different server locations in the US, IPVanish proves to be a worthy VPN for bypassing NHL blackouts. Excellent security and lightning-fast connection speeds also make it an attractive option.
Streaming
During my tests, I used it to unblock services like ESPN+, NHL.TV, and even YouTube TV. It worked smoothly, and I was able to catch live NHL games without any buffering or delays. The connection stayed stable throughout live events. That said, I noticed that IPVanish isn’t as consistent with Netflix or other non-sports streaming platforms. For example, when I tried to access Netflix, I had mixed results compared to services like NordVPN, which unblocks pretty much anything effortlessly. But if your focus is sports streaming, IPVanish definitely does the job well.
Server network
IPVanish offers over 2400 servers across 109 countries, with 17 server locations in the US alone. This is a decent spread, especially if you’re trying to avoid blackout zones for sports. In my experience, having multiple server options across the US made it easy to switch to another region whenever a stream was blocked.
Speed
Using the WireGuard protocol, I retained about 80% of my original connection speed, which is more than enough for smooth streaming in HD or even 4K. I didn’t experience any lag or interruptions while watching live sports. Although there are slightly faster VPNs out there — Surfshark comes to mind — I found IPVanish’s speed to be more than sufficient for my needs.
Pricing
IPVanish’s pricing starts at $2.19/month, which is pretty affordable considering what you get. I liked the fact that it comes with a 7-day free trial on mobile and a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you a chance to test it out without committing long-term. However, I did notice that IPVanish doesn’t offer as many long-term discount options as some of the other big players. If you’re looking for the cheapest multi-year deal, you might want to check out alternatives.
For more details, take a look at our IPVanish review.
4. ExpressVPN – premium VPN for bypassing NHL blackouts
| Servers/countries: | Servers in 105 countries |
| Works with: | ESPN+, NHL.TV, Hulu, NHL Live, Premier Sports |
| Price: | From $4.99/month |
ExpressVPN ranks among the top VPNs for streaming, especially for sports fans trying to bypass NHL blackouts, but it’s not without its limits. While it handles streaming well, some competitors offer more servers and slightly lower prices.
Streaming
ExpressVPN does a good job of unblocking major streaming platforms, including NHL.TV, ESPN+, and MLB.TV. In my tests, it also worked well with Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max, allowing access to multiple regions. The MediaStreamer feature is useful for unblocking content on devices that don’t normally support VPNs, like certain smart TVs and gaming consoles. While it’s effective, I noticed that it sometimes takes a bit longer to connect to the best server compared to other VPNs like NordVPN, which can be more straightforward in handling region-specific streams.
Server network
ExpressVPN offers servers in 105 countries, with 16 server locations in the US, including cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Atlanta. While the exact number of servers isn’t disclosed, the US coverage is generally reliable, although a few more options across states would help. Other VPNs, like CyberGhost, provide a larger number of US servers, which might be a better fit if you’re specifically looking for variety. Still, I found that ExpressVPN’s servers maintained good performance for the most part.
Speed
When it comes to speed, ExpressVPN uses the Lightway protocol, which delivers decent performance. In my experience, I retained about 77% of my original connection speed. While that’s more than enough for HD or even 4K streaming, I did notice that some VPNs, like Surfshark, offer slightly better speed retention. For most users, the speed should be more than adequate, but if you’re looking for the absolute fastest option, there may be better alternatives.
Pricing
The main downside with ExpressVPN is its cost — it starts at $4.99/month, which is on the higher end compared to other VPNs like Surfshark or CyberGhost. That said, it does come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it out risk-free for a month. While I found its performance reliable, the higher price might not be justifiable for everyone, especially when other services offer similar features at a lower cost.
Read more about the provider in our ExpressVPN review.
5. CyberGhost VPN – VPN for NHL with a massive server fleet
| Servers/countries: | Servers in 100 countries |
| Works with: | ESPN+, NHL.TV, Hulu, Premier Sports, YouTube TV, and more |
| Price: | From $2.19/month |
CyberGhost is a simple yet capable VPN to bypass NHL blackouts. It ensures incredible speeds, unbreakable protection, and excellent time while streaming online.
Streaming
During my tests, it had no problem bypassing NHL blackouts, and I could easily access other streaming services without any connection issues. What I really like about CyberGhost is that it offers specialized servers for streaming — this means you don’t have to guess which server will work best for your needs. It takes out the hassle and makes it quicker to get up and running.
Server network
CyberGhost boasts an impressive 11 server locations in the US, along with servers in 100 countries overall. The wide coverage made it easy to bypass NHL blackouts, and having plenty of server options in the US meant there was always a good connection available. While the number of US server locations isn’t as high as some other VPNs, like NordVPN or Surfshark, I found that the ones available worked great for streaming. The variety of global servers also helps if you want to access content from other regions.
Speed
In my tests, CyberGhost retained about 86% of my original connection speed using the WireGuard protocol. This means smooth, HD streaming without buffering or lag during those important moments. While CyberGhost’s speeds are competitive, other VPNs like ExpressVPN can offer slightly better speed retention. Still, for most users, CyberGhost’s performance should be more than sufficient for high-quality streaming.
Pricing
CyberGhost’s affordability is one of its standout features, with plans starting as low as $2.19/month. This is cheaper than many other VPNs, making it a great budget-friendly option. Additionally, CyberGhost offers an extended 45-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to test it risk-free. It’s one of the longest guarantees available, compared to the standard 30 days offered by most VPNs.
Check our CyberGhost review to get to know it better.
How we ranked the best VPNs for NHL
A good VPN for bypassing NHL blackouts must fulfill a fair number of criteria to be viable. So, we had to conduct a thorough investigation to find the best providers for this task. Here’s a summary of our ranking and VPN testing process:
- Worldwide server fleet. The most vital component for any NHL VPN is having servers in the US and in other countries where NHL.TV is available. While an extensive server fleet is important, we prioritized providers that allow connecting to specific US cities, which makes bypassing state-level blackouts easier.
- Blackout curbing effectiveness. We tested how effectively these VPNs deal with NHL blackouts on a wide range of device and streaming service combinations.
- Ultra-fast speeds. You’ll need a swift VPN to enjoy a lag-free hockey streaming experience. We ensure the VPNs have what it takes by checking available tunneling protocols and manually testing their speeds across various regions.
- Device compatibility. A VPN is suitable for watching the NHL if it works with many home entertainment devices. And so we pick services that work with PCs, mobile phones, routers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more.
- Easy-to-use apps. Most sports fans aren’t necessarily tech-savvy, meaning they’ll benefit from beginner-friendly VPN software that’s easy to set up anywhere. Moreover, it should work well without requiring any additional configuration.
- Free trial options. Interested customers should be able to test potential NHL VPNs using free trials and risk-free money-back guarantees. Additionally, we paid no attention to free versions because those are usually incapable of getting around geographical restrictions.
- Affordable prices. A good-quality VPN for bypassing restrictions shouldn’t cost a fortune. Therefore, we ranked VPNs with excellent price-to-performance ratios higher on our list.
- Privacy policy. While confidentiality is irrelevant to dealing with NHL blackout restrictions, a worthwhile VPN should ensure customer privacy. That means not collecting any activity logs or sharing data with third parties.
I took all these things into consideration when compiling my lineup of the top 5 VPNs for curbing NHL blackouts. Ultimately, I decided NordVPN is the ultimate option for NHL fans, thanks to its market-leading speeds, around 2000 US servers, and reasonable prices.
How to watch all NHL games in 2025 season?
Unfortunately, getting around these restrictions often requires a combination of services and tools. But for true NHL fans, catching every game is worth the effort.
By using a mix of ESPN+, national broadcasters like ESPN (the TV channel, separate from ESPN+) and TNT, and a VPN, you can watch all NHL games without blackouts.
ESPN+ covers over 1,050 out-of-market NHL games but not the entire season. For games not available on ESPN+, you’ll need access to ESPN and TNT, which broadcast a significant number of NHL games:
- TNT shows 62 exclusive games, including special events. These games can also be streamed on truTV or through Max's B/R Sports Add-On.
- ESPN broadcasts additional exclusive games throughout the season.
To watch these networks, you’ll need a cable TV subscription or a Live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, Sling TV, or DirecTV Stream.
And if you’re facing local blackouts on ESPN+, a VPN will help. Simply change your virtual location to a state where the game isn’t blocked, and you can bypass the restriction. Yes, it takes a bit of effort, but for dedicated NHL fans, it’s the only way to make sure you don’t miss a game this season.
How to Bypass NHL Blackouts on ESPN+ a detailed guide
You can watch locally blacked out NHL games on ESPN+ without any restrictions by using a VPN. With VPN, you can change your IP address and stream blacked-out NHL games from anywhere. Here’s a detailed guide, a step-by-step process to set up a VPN and bypass NHL blackouts on ESPN+.
Step 1: Subscribe to a VPN with Servers Across the US
First, you'll need to choose a VPN service that offers a wide range of servers in various US states. A top choice for this is NordVPN, it has 1970 servers across the US and our test results showed that it’s the fastest VPN on the marker.Other good options include Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and IPVanish.
Step 2: Download and Install the VPN App
Download the VPN app onto your device. Whether you’re using a computer, smartphone, tablet, or streaming device, VPN services recommended in this article are compatible with most popular operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Step 3: Connect to a Server in a US State Without NHL Blackouts
After installing the VPN app and logging in. You’ll need to connect to a server in a state that isn’t affected by the blackout. For example, if a game is blacked out in New York, connect to a server in a different state like Florida or Colorado. Your local team's game will not be blacked out in other states. NordVPN has a user-friendly interface that allows you to choose a server by simply clicking on the map or searching for the state.
Step 4: Access ESPN+ and Start Streaming NHL Games
While connected to the VPN, open the ESPN+ website or app on your device. I recommend using your browser's incognito or private mode when accessing ESPN+, as cookies and cached data can sometimes reveal your real location and cause issues while trying to bypass blackouts on ESPN+. Using private mode ensures a clean browsing session without stored data from previous visits.
Log in to your ESPN+ account, and you will be able to watch the previously blacked-out NHL games.
Step 5: Enjoy Streaming NHL Games Without Blackouts
With the VPN active, you can stream blacked-out NHL games. Whether it's a regular-season matchup or the Stanley Cup playoffs, using a VPN will help you enjoy uninterrupted access to your favorite games.
Bottom line
Having access to ESPN or NHL.tv doesn’t mean that you will freely enjoy your favorite NHL team’s games, as there is a geo-restriction tool – blackouts. However, not everything is lost. With a VPN that has servers all over the USA, you can instantly change your IP and unlock games with ease.
Our top VPN to bypass NHL blackouts is NordVPN. It has over 1970+ servers in 16 US locations and it’s well-known for exceptional unblocking capabilities. Moreover, the provider uses an advanced tunneling protocol to maintain as fast connection speeds as possible.
Let us know if you have managed to bypass NHL blackouts in the comments section below!
FAQ
Are NHL Playoff games blacked out?
Yes, just like the regular games, blackout rules apply to NHL Playoff games as well. If you want to watch NHL Playoff without blackouts, I recommend using a VPN, such as NordVPN, to connect to a server outside of the US or Canada and get an NHL.TV subscription.
How can I watch out-of-market NHL games?
If you want to watch out-of-market NHL games in Canada, you need to subscribe to Sportsnet NOW Premium. If you want to watch them in the US, subscribe to ESPN+. And if you’re from any other country, you can check out this list of services that have out-of-market NHL games in their libraries. To gain access to the games outside of these countries, you should use a VPN service, such as NordVPN, to change your location.
Does ESPN+ blackout local NHL games?
Yes, ESPN+ blacks out NHL games in regions where the games are being broadcast by local TV broadcasters. You can easily bypass these NHL blackouts by using a VPN on ESPN and changing your IP address to be from some other region than you are based in.
Why is ESPN blacked out on Hulu?
Hulu + Live TV operates like a cable TV provider, and it can see your location. With this information, Hulu determines when it should blackout the games in which regions. If ESPN is blacked out on Hulu for you, it means that the game is being broadcast in your area on another channel.
Why can't I watch NHL playoffs on espn+
You cannot watch NHL playoff games live on ESPN+ because playoff games are not included in the ESPN+ streaming package. Instead, live playoff games are broadcast exclusively on traditional TV channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and TNT, requiring a cable or live TV streaming subscription such as YouTube TV or Sling TV to watch live.
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