Note: This article will be updated once COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and schedules come out.
Each year, 32 National Hockey League (NHL) teams get together to compete for the coveted Stanley Cup, with only 16 (8 teams from each conference) making it to the playoffs. The two conference champions then face off against each other in the Stanley Cup Finals.
You can watch live broadcasts of Stanley Cup games through the regional channels of leading networks like Bally Sports, MSG Network, NBC Sports, and NHL Network. Games will be available only within each team’s regional TV network. For example, a Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils game will be carried by MSG Network and Bally Sports South. But those two networks will not broadcast a Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals matchup.
Live TV streaming services for the Stanley Cup 2020
If you are interested in streaming live Stanley Cup action, you have several options to choose from with several major streaming services broadcasting the games. The following streaming providers offer many of the regional channels set to carry Stanley Cup action live: AT&T NOW, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
But remember that regional restrictions apply, and these streaming services might not carry all the sports channels you need. For example, although fuboTV is the only service that has regional AT&T SportsNet as of now, it still does not have SportsNet Rocky Mountain, which is (currently) unavailable across all streaming platforms.
None of these streaming services carry all the regional sports channels you need to watch all the Stanley Cup games live. So there is no single “ultimate” streaming solution for NHL fans. You will have to consider getting at least two services if you want to enjoy most of the action. Here is a closer look at what you get with each streaming service:
AT&T NOW
Although it does not offer AT&T SportsNet regional channels, AT&T NOW still has one of the most comprehensive lineups available. You get networks such as Fox Sports, MSG Network, and NBC Sports with the $80/mo. package. But you will need to upgrade to the $125/mo. option to score NHL Network.
- Monthly price – AT&T offers several packages costing anywhere from $65/mo. to $135/mo.
- Simultaneous streams – AT&T NOW allows up to three simultaneous streams, which is right in line with what other services offer.
- DVR storage – Every AT&T NOW package comes with 500 hours of recording time.
- Premium channel add-ons – You have the option to customize your package with premium channel add-ons like Cinemax, EPIX, HBO, SHOWTIME, and STARZ.
- Free trial – Like most streaming services, AT&T NOW offers a free seven-day trial.
fuboTV
The leading sports streaming service, fuboTV lets you watch Stanley Cup games airing on regional MSG Network and NBC Sports channels. It is also the only streaming service that offers AT&T SportsNet regional channels as of writing this post. Note, however, that not every regional SportsNet network will be available.
- Monthly price – fuboTV only has 1 plan — it costs $54.99/mo.
- Simultaneous streams – fuboTV allows up to two simultaneous streams, which is in line with what other services offer.
- DVR storage – The basic fuboTV package comes with 30 hours of storage, but you also have the option to upgrade to Cloud DVR Plus, with 500 hours of recording time, for an extra $9.99/mo.
- Premium channel add-ons – fuboTV does not offer too much in terms of premium add-ons. It does feature a few select options such as AMC Premiere and Showtime.
- Free trial – fuboTV has a free seven-day trial.
Hulu + Live TV
With a Hulu + Live TV subscription, you can watch every Stanley Cup game airing on Fox Sports and NBC Sports regional channels. Make sure to double-check which regional sports channels Hulu + Live TV offers in your area.
- Monthly price – Hulu’s single plan comes in at $54.99/mo.
- Simultaneous streams – Like most streaming services, Hulu + Live TV allows up to two simultaneous streams.
- DVR storage – You can record up to 50 hours of video with a basic Hulu + Live TV subscription. But if recording live NHL games is important to you, you can get 200 hours of storage with the Enhanced Cloud DVR add-on for $9.99/mo.
- Premium channel add-on – Hulu + Live TV comes with the option to add premium channels like Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, and STARZ.
- Free trial – Like most streaming services, Hulu + Live TV offers a free trial for seven days.
Sling TV
Regional NBC Sports channels are available with both Sling Blue and Sling Orange + Blue. But this streaming service does not provide the widest range of options for streaming NHL action. On the plus side, you can get NHL Network with the Sports Extra add-on for $10/mo. The only other service that offers NHL Network is AT&T NOW, and that only comes with one of its premium packages.
- Monthly price – Sling Orange and Sling Blue both cost $30/mo. Or you can get both for $45.
- Simultaneous streams – Sling Blue allows up to three simultaneous streams. The Orange + Blue package lets you add one more.
- DVR storage – Sling has the most restricted storage capability, offering only 10 hours of recording with the service’s basic plan. For an extra $5/mo., you can get up to 50 hours of storage, but that is about it.
- Premium channel add-ons – What it lacks in storage space, it makes up for in customizability. Sling TV offers a wide range of premium a-la-carte add-ons to personalize your package – from EPIX to STARZ.
- Free trial – Sling TV does not offer a free trial but instead discounts your first month of service by $10.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV gives you access to live Stanley Cup games airing on regional Fox Sports and NBC Sports channels. Make sure you double-check the specific regional sports channels it offers in your area.
- Monthly price – YouTubeTV’s only plan costs $49.99/mo.
- Simultaneous streams – YouTube allows up to three simultaneous streams, which is on par with most other streaming services.
- DVR storage – When it comes to cloud DVR storage, YouTube TV beats the competition with unlimited recording at no additional cost. The service lets you keep recordings for nine months.
- Premium channel add-ons – Although it’s missing HBO, YouTube TV offers several add-on premium channels, including EPIX, Showtime, and STARZ. For sports fans, it also features choices like Fox Soccer Plus and NBA League Pass.
- Free trial – Like most streaming services, YouTube TV offers a free seven-day trial. But on occasion, it also extends the trial period to two weeks.
Overall, these streaming services have close-to-similar offerings except for a few additional perks and drawbacks here and there. So the most important thing to consider is whether or not the service features the regional channel you need to watch the Stanley Cup games you are interested in.
How to watch the Stanley Cup 2020 with an antenna
You might also consider watching Stanley Cup action using an antenna hooked up to your TV. With the right setup, you should be able to watch live local broadcasts without a TV provider. And you can always use a device like Tablo DVR or HDHomeRun to stream your antenna to an Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku device.
If you are not sure which channels you can pick up with an antenna, check out Antenna Web to discover the options available in your area.
The final cut
With a wide range of streaming options out there, hockey fans will have no trouble keeping up with NHL Finals 2020 and Stanley Cup. AT&T NOW, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTubeTV will all carry at least some NHL playoff action. And if you do not want to pay for cable or a streaming service, you can probably still watch using an antenna.
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