Hockey is one of the most popular sports in North America and many around the world enjoy watching the game on TV. It is however quite difficult to find an online source where you can watch games live as the broadcasting rights are usually sold to large media companies that hold the TV channels you usually rely on to watch games. That is why we have compiled this guide that will teach you how to watch hockey online legally and for free.
Table of Contents
The Basics Of Hockey
Hockey is a game that has been around for over 100 years and is one of the oldest sports in North America. It is a combination of ice hockey, American football and rugby with the sport being called “The Great American Winter Festival” by one of its co-creators. In North America, the sport is mostly played by men of a certain age and often shows up on TV during the winter season.
Where Can I Watch Hockey Games?
There are a few options for those looking to watch hockey online. The first place we would recommend is the NHL Watching Section. The section provides live streaming links for most games this season as well as historical stats for previous seasons. On the other hand, ESPN has the NHL TV app which provides live games and lots of other premium content for the sport including game highlights, player interviews and mini-documentaries.
The third option is the Hockey Stream Watch Online which offers live scoring and play-by-play as well as historical stats for previous seasons. However, the service is a little more expensive than the other two options we have mentioned so far ($4.99 per month vs. $2.99 per month).
Watching Online Vs. Watching Live
The main difference between watching a game online and watching it live is the opportunity to pause and rewind the action as well as the fact that you can follow the game from multiple angles. This is why most people enjoy sports tv on their smartphones as much as possible. This is also one of the reasons why professional sports leagues have seen a wave of nostalgia sweeping through the fan base in recent years as many people have grown up with video games and smartphones.
On the other hand, live games still have their appeal as you are actually there, participating in the action. It is something that can’t be replicated online. Moreover, attending a live game usually means you have to commit to spending some time and money on travel so you can watch the game.
How Do I Watch Hockey Games Online?
The best way to watch hockey online legally and for free is by subscribing to one of the channels we have listed below. However, if you want to save money, you can also just use a VPN and access illegal streams which often have the game listed as well.
NHL Network
The first and most popular option for watching hockey is through the NHL Network. The channel was launched in 2014 and is owned by the NHL which provides access to over 100 games this season including the upcoming Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild. The network also offers lots of original programming including highlight reels, weekly interviews, game previews and in-depth looks at the NHL’s biggest news stories. In addition, the channel provides live feeds from the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings games as well as lots of other events such as the NHL Draft and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The NHL Network is also available as a digital sign-up bonus with many different cable and wireless providers. This is why we have placed it first on this list. Even those who aren’t cable or wireless customers should consider this option since it’s pretty easy to use.
NBC Sports Network
NBC Sports Network is another popular option for people who want to watch hockey online. The network is owned by the American Television Shorts (“A.T.S.”) who purchased the television properties of the National Football League back in 2018. This purchase included the rights to all NFL games as well as the International Champions Cup soccer matches, the college football playoffs and the Grand Slam tennis tournament. In addition to the NHL games, the NBC Sports Network also shows Major League Baseball games as well as a variety of other sports and entertainment events. However, the network is not accessible from public resnets. You will have to use a VPN or sign up for a digital subscription to watch games.
SportsNet Central
The final option we will discuss is SportsNet Central. This is a joint venture between the Sinclair Corporation and the Entertainment Networks Group who own and operate a number of different networks including the most well-known one, SportsNet New York. Both companies are based in the United States but SportsNet Central is available in over 150 countries around the world. So, if you are traveling or living abroad, you can use this option to watch games legally.
While many other sports networks focus on American football, Baseball, and basketball, SportsNet Central shows hockey alongside other sports like American Football, Baseball, and Basketball. Therefore, even if you aren’t a hockey fan, you might enjoy this option. Like most networks on this list, SportsNet Central is also available through a digital sign-up bonus with most cable and wireless providers. This is why we have listed it last but it’s still one of the most useful sources for hockey fans who are on the go.
Why Should I Watch Hockey Online?
We have compiled this list of websites because we think hockey fans deserve better. Yes, there are lots of legal ways to stream NHL hockey games online but using these sites means you won’t have to worry about pop-ups, malware or unauthorized charges on your credit card. In addition, you can easily find games when and where you want to watch them. With so much competition, a lot of the networks and sites listed here are pre-loaded with hockey content. This is a great way to start if you are a hockey fan who wants to watch some games in the future.
On the other hand, live games offer a unique experience. Traveling to a sports arena and watching players who are actually vying for a championship is something that can’t be replicated online. That is why many fans prefer to watch games live even though they can also enjoy them online. In fact, there are a few benefits to watching games online other than saving money and finding the time to watch them.
First, you can pause and rewind the action as much as you want. Sometimes, the bonus of being able to pause and rewind is more than worth the cost of watching a game online. For example, if a goal is scored during a Pittsburgh Penguins game and you miss it, you will have to wait until the end of the game to see if it was a goal. However, if you watch the game on Line In the Shirt (an online source), you will get to see the goal immediately because it is shown immediately after it is scored. Similarly, you can watch all the strikes during a battleship match live but if you aren’t a ship fan, you will be missing out on a great display of naval power. In these cases and many others, it is easier to watch the game live to get the full experience.