- Stream the NHL playoffs 2025 on ESPN via Sling TV and Premier Sports (UK)
- Unblock any stream with NordVPN (save 70% today)
- NHL playoffs 2025 start Saturday, April 19 and run until no later than Monday, June 23
The NHL playoffs 2025 have already delivered some epic encounters in the first round that's reduced 16 teams to just eight, with the four divisional winners all safely through to the second round.
Below we explore the best ways to watch the race for the Stanley Cup live streams online and from anywhere as the Winnipeg Jets look to tighten their grip on the title and defending champions Florida Panthers, who finished third in the Atlantic Division but overcame state rivals Tampa Bay Lightning. Winnipeg is one three Canadian teams in the second round as the Great White North seeks a first winner since 1993.
Want to see who comes out on top? Here's all the channels for the NHL playoffs live streams, as well as a full schedule of 2025 games.
How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 with a free trial
Though there are no free live streams for the NHL playoffs 2025, there is a free trial available for new subscribers. Try the Kayo (7-day FREE trial) in Australia, with games courtesy of ESPN.
Subscriptions start at AU$30 per month after the trial ends.
ABROAD? You unblock your usual stream with a high-quality VPN. Details below.
Use a VPN to watch any NHL playoffs 2025 stream
How to watch NHL playoffs live stream in the US
In the US, the the NHL playoffs 2025 games are being shared across TNT, ESPN and ABC and their respective streaming services. The final will be on TNT – the full split of games and channels is below.
You can watch these channels on most cable packages, but if you're a cord-cutter, you can tune in via one of the best cable alternative services, such as Sling (50% off), Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and YouTube TV.
All TNT games will simulcast on truTV and stream on Max. Max plans start at $9.99/month, increasing to remove the ads.
ESPN Plus will stream the games on ESPN and ABC, and starts at $11.99/month.
You needn't find yourself in a pickle if you're abroad either, as using a good VPN as described above will let you watch the streaming services and content you pay for at home, from anywhere in the world.
How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in Canada
In Canada, Sportsnet will be showing the NHL playoffs 2025 games.
You can either watch Sportsnet on the TV, or access Sportsnet+ by logging in with your TV provider or taking out a standalone subscription. A Standard subscription costs $24.99/month ($199.99/year) or for Premium it's $34.99 ($249.99/year).
Just remember that if you're abroad right now you can use a VPN to magically transport yourself back in Canada to live stream NHL playoffs 2025 coverage just like you would at home.
How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in the UK
Premier Sports will show NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in the UK.
Premier Sports costs £15.99/month, or you can take out an annual plan for £131.88, which works out to be £10.99 per month.
Though a smaller streaming service, Premier Sports also offers various rugby competitions as well as La Liga and Coppa Italia.
Not in the UK at the moment? To access your usual streaming service from outside the UK, you'll need to download a good VPN as detailed above.
How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in Australia
In Australia, the NHL playoffs 2025 will be on ESPN via Foxtel or Kayo Sports.
Kayo Sports starts at just $25/month with loads of live sport on offer.
Not in Australia right now? Aussies abroad looking to watch the hockey should find that a good VPN helps them access their home streaming services wherever they are.
How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams in Mexico
In Mexico, you can watch NHL hockey and the Stanley Cup playoffs 2025 on Sky Sports on your TV, or stream ESPN via Disney Plus.
To get all ESPN channels, you'll need the Disney Plus premium package, which costs MXN$299 a month.
However, if you're visiting Mexico and want to just watch the NHL playoffs 2025 on your usual service, you can do a VPN to do exactly that. We recommend NordVPN – find full instructions and a great discount up above.
How to watch NHL playoffs 2025 live streams worldwide
In many countries around the world it's possible to get an NHL TV subscription to live stream the Stanley Cup 2025 playoffs. Visit the NHL TV website for more details on prices in your country and how to sign up.
For a list of the broadcast options in your country, check out this handy guide from the NHL website, which explains which TV channel and streaming options you have.
Remember, if you're not in your home country at the moment, you'll need a VPN to watch as normal. We recommend NordVPN
NHL playoffs round one bracket 2025
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
- Toronto (A1) vs. Florida (WC1)
May 5: Florida 4-5 Toronto 7pm, ESPN
May 7: Florida @ Toronto 7pm, ESPN
May 9: Toronto @ Florida 7pm, TNT
May 11: Toronto @ Florida 7.30pm, TBS
May 14: Florida @ Toronto (if needed), ESPN
May 16: Toronto @ Florida (if needed), TNT
May 18: Florida @ Toronto (if needed), TNT - Washington (M1) vs. Carolina (M2)
May 6: Carolina 2-1 Washington, ESPN
May 8: Carolina Washington 7pm, ESPN
May 10: Washington @ Carolina 6pm, TNT
May 12: Washington @ Carolina 7pm, TNT
May 15: Carolina @ Washington (if needed), TNT
May 17: Washington @ Carolina (if needed), TBD
May 19: Carolina @ Washington, (if needed), ESPN
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
- Winnipeg (C1) vs. Dallas (C2)
May 7: Dallas @ Winnipeg 9.30pm, ESPN
May 9: Dallas @ Winnipeg 9.30pm, TNT
May 11: Winnipeg @ Dallas 4.30pm, TBS
May 13: Winnipeg @ Dallas 8pm, ESPN
May 15: Dallas @ Winnipeg (if needed), TNT
May 17: Winnipeg @ Dallas (if needed), TBD
May 19: Dallas @ Winnipeg (if needed), ESPN - Vegas (P1) vs. Edmonton (WC1)
May 6: Edmonton 4-2 Vegas
May 8: Edmonton @ Vegas 9.30pm, ESPN
May 10: Vegas @ Edmonton 9pm, TNT
May 12: Vegas @ Edmonton 9.30pm, TNT
May 14: Edmonton @ Vegas (if needed), ESPN
May 16: Vegas @ Edmonton (if needed), TNT
May 18: Edmonton @ Vegas (if needed), TNT
A1, A2, A3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Atlantic Division, respectively
M1, M2, M3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Metropolitan Division, respectively
C1, C2, C3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Central Division, respectively
P1, P2, P3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Pacific Division, respectively
WC – Wild Card teams
NHL Playoffs 2025 Round Two predictions
Florida look battle-hardened as they take on Toronto. Brad Marchand has cause Toronto problems before and the defending Stanley Cup champions just know how to win.
Carolina won the first game of their series against Washington and also look locked-in to do some damage. The Hurricanes have won the teams' only previous playoff matchup.
Winnipeg and Dallas have never met in the playoffs, but it's the latter who will start as favorites despite the former's amazing Game 7 comeback gave them momentum. The Stars have Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen back from injury, to go with Mikko Rantanen's stellar form.
Vegas vs Edmonton is a close one, with the latter's upset win in Round One providing momentum.
NHL playoffs story so far
All four divisional winners made it safely into the second but they didn't all have it easy.
In the Eastern Conference, Mitch Marner shone for Toronto as they beat fellow Canadians Ottawa. Toronto hasn't always had the best relationship with the playoffs but that could be changing.
Elsewhere in the conference, there were relatively comfortable 4-1 series wins for Florida, Washington and Carolina.
In the Western Conference, Central Division winners, and early Stanley Cup favorites, Winnipeg need a big Game 7 comeback to knock out a spirited St. Louis, with home advantage proving crucial.
Dallas also won a deciding match, as Mikko Rantanen came up clutch across Games 5, 6 and 7 to upset Colorado. Stanley Cup 2024 finalists Edmonton pulled off a shock, though, beating Los Angeles 4-2.
Eastern Conference
Toronto 4-2 Ottawa
Tampa Bay 1-4 Florida
Washington 4-1 Montreal
Carolina 4-1 New Jersey
Western Conference
Winnipeg 4-3 St. Louis
Dallas 4-3 Colorado
Vegas 4-2 Minnesota
Los Angeles 2-4 Edmonton
Everything to know about the NHL Playoffs
What is the NHL playoffs 2025 bracket?
The NHL playoffs 2025 bracket lets you look ahead to who comes next for your team as the Stanley Cup Final nears ever closer.
How do the NHL playoffs work?
It's (relatively) simple. When the regular season ends, 16 teams advance to the post-season NHL playoffs to compete in a knockout tournament to win the Stanley Cup.
The top three teams in each division – Atlantic, Central, Metropolitan and Pacific – automatically qualify for the playoffs. Each conference, the Eastern and Western, then have two wild-card spots available for the next highest-ranked teams. They're your 16 teams.
The Eastern and Western Conferences are separated, with the top division winner in each playing the second wild card team, while the other division winner will play the first wild card team.
The second and third-place teams in each division face off in the first round.
From there, it's a straight knockout, with a second round followed by the two Conference Finals and then the Stanley Cup final itself to determine the overall winner.
Each round is best of 7 matches in a 2–2–1–1–1 format. So, the team with home ice advantage plays at home in games one and two (plus five and seven if necessary).
Who are the recent Stanley Cup winners?
2024: Florida Panthers
2023: Vegas Golden Knights
2022: Colorado Avalanche
2021: Tampa Bay Lightning
2020: Tampa Bay Lightning
2019: St Louis Blues
2018: Washington Capitals
2017: Pittsburgh Penguins
2016: Pittsburgh Penguins
2015: Chicago Blackhawks
Who has won the most Stanley Cups?
Here's a list of the teams to have won the most NHL titles in the Stanley Cups era, since 1915...
35 – Montreal Canadiens
24 – Detroit Red Wings
21 – Toronto Maple Leafs
20 – Boston Bruins
13 – Chicago Blackhawks
11 – New York Rangers
8 – Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers
6 – Pittsburgh Penguins
5 – New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightnigh, Dallas Stars
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