Lightning vs Avalanche live stream: how to watch 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 online – Colorado on the brink of glory

The Avs are one win away from their first Stanley Cup since 2001, after a finale that could go down in NHL lore. On his comeback less than three weeks after hand surgery, Nazem Kadri scored a spectacular winner in overtime to send the Colorado roster into delirium, and push the Bolts to the brink of their first Stanley Cup series defeat in more than three years. There's plenty of fight still left in Jon Cooper, so read on as we explain how to watch a Tampa Bay Lightning vs Colorado Avalanche live stream and see the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 online from wherever you are.

Most people weren't even expecting Kadri to make the bench, let alone win the game, and the puck getting stuck in the roof of the net to keep us all guessing made an instantly iconic moment wilder still. Cooper wasn't happy about Nathan MacKinnon still being on the ice when Kadri received the puck, but it was far from unusual, and most of the Lightning players saw it differently to their coach.

Teams down 3-1 in best-of-seven Stanley Cup Finals series are 1-35 over the years, but that'll mean nothing to the Bolts, who are are out to prove that they're a once-in-a-generation team. The two-time defending champions have a chance to do what no other franchise has done since the great New York Islanders dynasty of the '80s - win back-to-back-to-back titles.

The Avs are good closers but the Lightning don't know when they're beaten. They looked down and out against the Maple leafs in the first round but overturned a 3-2 deficit to advance, and they looked done in the ECF against the Rangers before a magnificent turnaround. Can they do it on the biggest stage of all?

It's all on the line at Ball Arena tonight, so read on for all you need to know to get a Lightning vs Avalanche live stream online so you can watch the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 from wherever you are in the world.

2022 Stanley Cup Finals schedule

All times are given in ET

• Game 1: Lightning 3 - 4 Avalanche
• Game 2: Lightning 0 - 7 Avalanche
• Game 3: Avalanche 2 - 6 Lightning
• Game 4: Avalanche 3 - 2 Lightning
• Lightning vs Avalanche Game 5: Friday June 24, 8pm
• Avalanche vs Lightning Game 6*: Sunday June 26, 8pm
• Lightning vs Avalanche Game 7*: Tuesday June 28, 8pm

(* = if required)

How to watch Lightning vs Avalanche: live stream Stanley Cup Finals FREE in Canada

NHL fans in Canada are amongst the luckiest in the world, as the entire 2022 Stanley Cup Finals series is being live streamed for free on the CBC Sports website.

The full Lightning vs Avalanche schedule is listed above, but the main thing you need to know is that every game is scheduled to start at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.

Every game is also being shown on the CBC and Sportsnet TV channels, as well as on SN Now, with prices starting at $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year. But why pay when you can watch Lightning vs Avalanche for free on CBC Sports?

Away from home? Use a VPN to watch the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals from abroad.

How to watch a 2022 Stanley Cup Finals live stream from outside your country

Unfortunately, if you try to watch your domestic coverage of the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals from somewhere outside your home country, you'll soon find a problem - geo-blocking.

That's where the broadcaster prevents you from watching your usual feed from abroad. When this is the case, the simplest and most reliable solution is to use the best VPN service to change your IP address to a difference location. This will generally let you tune in to your local coverage, just as you would from home, and means you don't have to trawl the sketchier corners of the internet for an illegal stream.

Use a VPN to watch Stanley Cup Finals online from anywhere

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How to use a VPN for the Stanley Cup Finals

Using a VPN to watch the Stanley Cup Finals free on CBC Sports is as easy as one-two-three...

1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN

2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location

3. Go to the broadcaster's live stream - so if you're from Canada, just head to the CBC Sports streaming service

How to watch Lightning vs Avalanche: live stream 2022 Stanley Cup Finals in the US without cable

Every single game of the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals is being televised on both ABC and ESPN 3. If you don't have either of those channels as part of your TV package, you can still watch the full Lightning vs Avalanche series without the commitment or expense of cable. 

How to watch the Stanley Cup Finals without cable

Sling TV is a complete cable replacement service that includes ESPN 3 in its Sling Orange package. It normally costs $35 per month but there's currently a $17.50 discount on your first month of Sling TV.

A costlier alternative is to get a FuboTV plan, which includes ABC, as well as more than 100 other top channels. Its standard plan costs $69.99 per month but there's a 7-day FREE trial of FuboTV, so you can try before you buy.

Alternatively, ESPN Plus is also live streaming every game of the Stanley Cup series. Monthly plans cost $6.99 a month, while the cost-saving annual subscription is priced at $69.99 a year. 

How to watch NHL: live stream Stanley Cup Finals 2022 in the UK

In the UK, the NHL Stanley Cup Finals are being shown on Premier Sports, but be warned that each game of the Lightning vs Avalanche series is set to get underway at 1am BST. 

Premier Sports has exclusive rights to the NHL in the UK. It's available on TV from £9.99 per month through Sky and from £12.99 per month through Virgin Media.

The network also has its own streaming-only options, costing £9.99 for the full works including Premier Sports 1 and 2, Free Sports, LaLiga TV, and Box Nation.

If you're outside the UK, don't worry about geo-blocks on your account – simply download and install a good VPN and follow the instructions below to live stream the action just as you would if you were at home.

How to watch ice hockey: live stream NHL Stanley Cup Finals in Australia

ESPN, available through Foxtel, is showing every game of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Finals in Australia, and you can also stream the action on your laptop or mobile using the Foxtel Go app.

Each game of the Lightning vs Avalanche series is set to begin at 10am AEST.

You can also watch an NHL live stream on Kayo Sports, which is the ideal option for those who don't want the commitment of a lengthy (and pricey) contract.

Kayo lets you stream on two devices with it $25 per month Basic plan, and on three devices with its $35 Premium plan, and both come with a FREE 14-day trial.

Not in Australia right now? Use a VPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your domestic coverage.