For NHL fans in the US, missing a big game due to a blackout is all too common. Blackouts typically happen when a game is aired on national TV, preventing local regional sports networks from broadcasting or streaming it. If it’s a local game, platforms like ESPN+ and NHL TV can’t stream it because local channels hold the exclusive rights.
CyberGhost VPN has an easy solution, and in this guide, we’ll show you how to watch blackout NHL games so you never miss a moment.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Blackout NHL Games With a VPN
- Download Cyberghost VPN on your streaming device.
- Connect to a server location in the US and log in to your NHL streaming platform.
- He shoots, he scores!
How to Watch Blackout NHL Games on ESPN+
There are two types of NHL games on ESPN+:
- Exclusive games
- ESPN+ Power Play: over 1,050 live non-exclusive NHL games.
Blackouts aren’t an issue with exclusive games, since they’re available to all ESPN+ subscribers.
ESPN+ Power Play games are accessible to all US-based subscribers – unless the game is broadcast on local TV. For example, if the Red Wings are playing the Penguins, the game is available nationwide, except in the Detroit and Pittsburgh TV markets. That’s because the local broadcasts air on FanDuel Sports Network and SportsNet Pittsburgh instead.
If you’re an ESPN+ subscriber without local cable, you can use CyberGhost VPN to bypass the blackout. Just download the VPN app to your streaming device, connect to a US server outside the blackout region, log in to your ESPN+ account, and enjoy the game!
How to Watch the NHL Without Cable
With the exception of a few games on ABC, most NHL games from opening night through the NHL playoffs and the Stanley Cup Finals air on cable – either on your local regional sports network or nationally on ESPN and TNT. If you don’t want to commit to expensive, long-term cable TV packages, there are several ways to watch the NHL without cable.
ESPN+ is the best option, as long as you don’t live in the same TV broadcast area as your favorite team. As mentioned above, ESPN+ enforces blackout restrictions for Power Play games in local markets.
In most cases, local fans can use Fubo or DirecTV Stream. Unlike other streaming platforms, such as YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, they offer most regional sports networks in their packages. This includes FanDuel Sports Network, NBC Sports, YES, NESN, and more.
If you can’t stream NHL games due to network restrictions at school or work, download CyberGhost VPN. Connect to one of our US server locations, and you’ll be able to stream the game from anywhere.
How to Watch Out-of-Market NHL Games
The easiest way to catch NHL games that aren’t broadcast locally or nationally is by subscribing to ESPN+ or NHL.TV, both of which focus on out-of-market games. NHL Network is another option, though it only features a few games each week.
If you already subscribe to a streaming service that includes regional sports networks (RSNs) and want to avoid paying extra for another subscription, CyberGhost VPN makes it easy to watch out-of-market NHL games from anywhere.
Simply pair CyberGhost VPN with a streaming service like Fubo or DirecTV Stream. Connect to a streaming-optimized server in a region where the game is available, log in to your streaming account, and enjoy the action live.
How to Watch NHL.TV in the US
If you’re traveling to the US and can’t access your NHL.TV account due to regional restrictions, CyberGhost VPN has you covered. Connect to a CyberGhost VPN server in your home country, log in to your NHL.TV account, and watch every game as if you never left.
Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for Watching Hockey Online
When it comes to streaming hockey online, CyberGhost VPN is your ultimate power play. With an extensive network of streaming-optimized servers across the US, you can securely access platforms like ESPN+, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream – perfect for catching every face-off, slap shot, and game-winning goal.
Just like a top-line winger, CyberGhost delivers blazing-fast speeds, ensuring smooth, buffer-free streams. With 10-Gbps servers in key locations, you won’t experience slowdowns caused by overcrowded servers, even during peak hours.
Try CyberGhost risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee, and see for yourself why it’s the MVP for watching hockey online.
FAQ
You can watch out-of-market NHL games with ESPN+ through its NHL Power Play package, which offers over 1,050 live out-of-market games. NHL Center Ice is another option, but it’s only available to cable subscribers.
Yes, ESPN+ enforces blackouts for games in your local market due to regional broadcasting rights. Out-of-market games remain available through NHL Power Play, but the service blocks local games if they’re airing on regional sports networks or national TV.
ESPN+ blackouts are location based, so you can get around them by traveling – or virtually traveling – to an area where the game is available. For example, if you’re visiting a city where the game you want to watch isn’t available to stream, connect to a VPN server location closer to your home state or another location where the game is available live.
Yes, Hulu + Live TV follows regional blackout rules for NHL games. If a game airs on a local regional sports network or national TV, it may be blacked out in your area.
NHL blackouts happen due to broadcasting rights agreements. Local networks get exclusive rights to air games in specific regions, so national or streaming platforms like ESPN+ can’t broadcast them locally. This protects local TV deals and encourages fans to attend games in person.
Fubo enforces NHL blackout restrictions based on your location. If you live in an NHL city and typically watch the game via Fubo on the regional sports network, you’ll lose access to the channel when leaving the broadcast region. For example, a Boston Bruins fan that typically watches the game on Fubo’s NESN channel will be blacked out from watching if they travel to New York.
Yes, a good sports VPN will allow you to bypass blackouts with ease. CyberGhost VPN excels in this area, due to its large network of streaming-optimized server locations in the US that work with popular NHL streaming platforms. It also has the high-speed capabilities you need for smooth streaming performance.
Can I use a VPN to watch sports from a different country?
Some sports fans may connect to a VPN server in a country where certain sports events are available in order to watch from a different country. While we don’t snoop on our users’ online activity, this is against our terms of service and is not acceptable.
Rest assured that CyberGhost VPN never logs your browsing data and your activity is always private, but you should always comply with all relevant terms and applicable law, including copyright.
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