The fight for the Stanley Cup is on. The 2025 NHL Playoffs began on Saturday with two games – Dallas vs. Colorado and Winnipeg vs. St. Louis. The defending champs, the Florida Panthers will take on Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Below, we’re sharing the full Round 1 schedule and everything you need to know to stream the matchups live.
When Are the NHL Playoffs?
The Stanley Cup playoffs began on Saturday, April 19 and the first round could run through May 4, depending on whether matchups need to go to games 5, 6, and 7.
Which Teams Are in the NHL Playoffs?
- Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators
- Western Conference: Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues
How to Watch the NHL Playoffs
Games will air on ESPN, ESPN2, truTV, TNT, and TBS. You can watch with DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV, with limited matchups streaming on Fubo and Max.
Round 1 Schedule
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
Game 1: Sunday, April 20 | 7 p.m. | at Toronto | ESPN2
Game 2: Tuesday, April 22 | 7:30 p.m.| at Toronto | ESPN2
Game 3: Thursday, April 24 | 7 p.m.| at Ottawa | ESPN2
Game 4: Saturday, April 26 | 7 p.m. | at Ottawa | TBS, truTV
*Game 5: Tuesday, April 29 | TBD | at Toronto | TBD
*Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | TBD | at Ottawa | TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at Toronto | TBD
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
Game 1: Tuesday, April 22 | 8:30 p.m. | at Tampa Bay | ESPN
Game 2: Thursday, April 24 | 6:30 p.m. | at Tampa Bay | TBS, truTV
Game 3: Saturday, April 26 | 1 p.m. | at Florida | TBS, truTV
Game 4: Monday, April 28 | TBD | at Florida | TBD
*Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 | TBD | at Tampa Bay | TBD
*Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at Florida | TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at Tampa Bay | TBD
Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
Game 1: Monday, April 21 | 7 p.m. | at Washington | ESPN
Game 2: Wednesday, April 23 | 7 p.m. | at Washington | ESPN
Game 3: Friday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | at Montreal | TNT, truTV
Game 4: Sunday, April 27 | 6:30 p.m. | at Montreal | TBS, truTV
*Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 | TBD | at Washington | TBD
*Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at Montreal | TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at Washington | TBD
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
Game 1: Sunday, April 20 | 3 p.m. | at Carolina | ESPN
Game 2: Tuesday, April 22 | 6 p.m. | at Carolina | ESPN
Game 3: Friday, April 25 | 8 p.m. | at New Jersey | TBS
Game 4: Sunday, April 27 | 3:30 p.m. | at New Jersey | TBS, truTV
*Game 5: Tuesday, April 29 | TBD | at Carolina | TBD
*Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at New Jersey | TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at Carolina | TBD
Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
Game 1: Saturday, April 19 | 6 p.m. | at Winnipeg | TNT, truTV
Game 2: Monday, April 21 | 7:30 p.m. | at Winnipeg | ESPN2
Game 3: Thursday, April 24 | 9:30 p.m. | at St. Louis | ESPN2
Game 4: Sunday, April 27 | 1 p.m. | at St. Louis | TBS, truTV
*Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 | TBD | at Winnipeg | TBD
*Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at St. Louis | TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at Winnipeg | TBD
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
Game 1: Saturday, April 19 | 8:30 p.m. | at Dallas | TNT, truTV
Game 2: Monday, April 21 | 9:30 p.m. | at Dallas | ESPN
Game 3: Wednesday, April 23 | 9:30 p.m. | at Colorado | ESPN
Game 4: Saturday, April 26 | 9:30 p.m. | at Colorado | TBS, truTV
*Game 5: Monday, April 28 | TBD | at Dallas | TBD
*Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | TBD | at Colorado | TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at Dallas | TBD
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
Game 1: Sunday, April 20 | 10 p.m. | at Vegas | ESPN
Game 2: Tuesday, April 22 | 11 p.m. | at Vegas | ESPN
Game 3: Thursday, April 24 | 9 p.m. | at Minnesota | TBS, truTV
Game 4: Saturday, April 26 | 4 p.m. | at Minnesota | TBS, truTV
*Game 5: Tuesday, April 29 | TBD | at Vegas | TBD
*Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | TBD | at Minnesota | TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at Vegas | TBD
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Monday, April 21 | 10 p.m. | at LA | ESPN2
Game 2: Wednesday, April 23 | 10 p.m. | at LA | TBS
Game 3: Friday, April 25 | 10 p.m. | at Edmonton | TNT, truTV
Game 4: Sunday, April 27 | 9:30 p.m. | at Edmonton | TBS, truTV
*Game 5: Tuesday, April 29 | TBD | at LA | TBD
*Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | TBD | at Edmonton | TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at LA | TBD
*if needed
Watch the NHL Playoffs Live on DIRECTV
Starting at $86.99 per month, the Entertainment plan from DIRECTV will give you access to NHL games live on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, truTV and over 90 channels. There are no contracts, no hidden fees, and a subscription includes unlimited cloud DVR storage.
DIRECTV STREAM also offers a MySports package, a skinny bundle of over 20 sports-only channels, including ESPN, TNT, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, and in select markets ABC for $69.99 per month. The bundle also includes thousands of hours of live sports, exclusive content and more on ESPN+.
New subscribers can take advantage of a 5-day free trial before subscribing.
Watch NHL Playoff Games Live on Sling TV
Subscribe to Sling Orange & Blue to stream the NHL Playoffs on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, truTV in a lineup of over 40 channels for only $61 per month. Record the games and your favorite shows and movies with 50 hours of DVR storage.
New subscribers can get half off of their first month for a limited time.
Watch NHL Playoff Games Live On Fubo
Known as a sports-oriented streaming service, you can find all of the ESPN family of networks on Fubo. The Pro plan starts at $84.99 per month and includes a lineup of over 190 channels and 100+ live sporting events.
Fubo doesn’t carry TNT, TBS, or truTV but those games are available to watch live on Max.
Each Fubo plan includes on-demand shows and movies, the ability to record unlimited hours with cloud DVR, and you can stream on 10 screens simultaneously.
Watch the NHL Playoffs on Max
TNT Sports, is available with the Max Standard plan for $16.99 per month or $139.99 yearly to watch live sports on Max.
Watch the NHL Playoff Games Live on Hulu + Live TV
ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, truTV are part of a channel lineup of over 95 channels. For only $82.99 per month, the service offers unlimited access to the Hulu library, Disney+, and live sports on ESPN+ for no additional charge. Record your favorite shows, movies, and much more for up to 9 months with unlimited DVR storage.
New subscribers can try Hulu + Live TV for free for three days.
Watch the NHL Playoffs Live on YouTube TV
Stream over 100 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, truTV with YouTube TV for only $82.99 per month. The service includes unlimited DVR, so you can rewatch your library of content and the ability to share 6 accounts per household.