How to Watch Blackout NHL Games Online

Nothing is more frustrating for hockey fans than missing a big game because ESPN+ or NHL.TV isn’t streaming the game in your area. Blackouts might seem like a necessary evil, but did you know there’s an easy workaround? Just install PIA VPN on your streaming device and connect to a streaming-optimized server. Whether you’re watching at home or elsewhere, you’ll never have to miss a game!

What Are NHL Game Blackouts?

NHL blackouts are broadcasting restrictions that prevent certain games from being televised or streamed in specific geographic areas. There are two main reasons for a blackout depending on which channels have broadcast rights.

Local Market Rules

If a game is being broadcast by a regional sports network (RSN) in your area, other streaming services or platforms may not show that game locally. The idea is to give priority to the RSN covering the home team. For example, if you’re in Detroit, you can’t watch the Red Wings on ESPN+ or NHL.TV because FanDuel Sports Network has exclusive broadcast rights in the region. 

National Broadcasts

Some games may be exclusively shown on national networks like ESPN, TNT, or Sportsnet, which can result in blackouts on regional networks. For example, if the Boston Bruins have an exclusive game on TNT, the game will be blacked out on NESN. 

How to Watch Blackout NHL Games on ESPN+ and NHL.TV

If you have ESPN+ or NHL.TV, the streaming platform will automatically block live in-market games. Let’s look at the following scenario: You’re a Penguins fan living in Detroit, and so you have no issues live streaming every game. However, when you visit family and friends in Pittsburgh, you can no longer access the Pens, even though your account was created in Detroit, because the streaming platform has detected you’re in a different location based on your IP address.

The easiest way to avoid this is to install PIA VPN on your streaming device. Connect to a US server location outside of Pittsburgh to get an IP address from an area where the game is available. Now, all you have to do is log in to your streaming account and watch the game. 

I should point out that this solution will only work for local market blackouts. If the game is on TNT, then you won’t be able to stream it on ESPN+ anywhere in the US. 

Get PIA VPN

How to Watch the NHL While Traveling Abroad

If you’re traveling abroad during the hockey season you won’t be able to watch NHL games on ESPN+ or other streaming platforms showing the games, as these services only work in the US. The same is true if you watch hockey on Sportsnet or TSN in Canada. 

Once again, PIA VPN provides an easy solution. Download the VPN app on your streaming device and connect to a server location in your home country, where your streaming account is registered. You’ll get a new IP address in the country or region where the game is available and you can kick back and watch the fastest game on ice. 

Get PIA VPN

How to Watch Out-of-Market NHL Games

The easiest way to watch a game that isn’t televised locally or nationally is to subscribe to ESPN+ or NHL.TV, both of which only offer out-of-market games. Another option is NHL Network, which offers a few games per week. If you already subscribe to a streaming service that includes regional sports networks and you don’t want the extra cost of another streaming subscription just to watch out-of-market games, you can live stream hockey from anywhere with PIA VPN.

You can also pair PIA VPN with a streaming service that includes RSNs, such as Fubo or DirecTV Stream. Connect to a VPN server in a region where the game you want to watch is available before logging in to your account, and watch the NHL game as if you were in that location. 

PIA has streaming-optimized servers on both sides of the US, so you’ll always be able to connect to a location where the game is available.

Get PIA VPN

 

How to Watch NHL Network Without Cable

While most US cable providers offer NHL Network, it’s a little more difficult for cord-cutters to find the channel. We’ve done the hard work for you and found the best platforms and packages for NHL Network, so you can watch NHL games without cable and without blackouts:

• DirecTV Stream: NHL Network is included in the Ultimate (top tier) package, along with ESPN, TNT, RSNs, and other sports channels.
• Fubo: The Elite package includes NHL Network, ESPN, and RSNs.
• Sling TV: NHL Network is part of the Sports Extra add-on, which can be added to the Sling Orange or Sling Blue base packages.

NHL Network has all the extra content that a hockey fan needs, including NHL Tonight, On The Fly, and Top Shelf. It also broadcasts a few select NHL games per week. 

Get PIA VPN

Why PIA Is the Best VPN for Streaming Sports

Whether you’re into hockey, football, basketball, soccer, or any other sport, PIA VPN has streaming-optimized servers work smoothly with popular sports services all around the world, making it easy to watch wherever you are – even when you’re traveling abroad. Our engineers regularly refresh the IP addresses on these servers to give you secure, reliable access to your streaming subscriptions.

Our lightning-fast VPN speeds deliver crystal-clear streaming quality, even in UHD. Unlimited VPN bandwidth means you don’t have to worry about getting cut off before the final whistle. PIA lets you connect as many devices as you want simultaneously, so every member of your family can watch anything they want, anytime they want.

Need a hand choosing the right server? Our 24/7 customer support team is always ready to help. Try PIA risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee and experience hassle-free sports streaming from anywhere.

Get PIA VPN

FAQ