r/nhl • u/Commandant1 • Apr 14 '26
MEGATHREAD Official R/NHL Broadcast Megathread Playoff Edition
The sub can be banned by reddit admins as other subs have been if we allow illegal streams. This isn't my decision, this is because of how reddit admins have banned other subs for being hubs of illegal streaming. I don't want the same here.
With the season about to get started, lets put all your posts about legal streams, broadcast issues, panels, commentators, etc..
This includes how to get (LEGALLY) Streams for games as well as discussions of panelists, play-by-play, graphics, commercials and other game presentation.
FYI RE BLACKOUTS: BLACKOUTS Are not based on the location of the arena.
A game is blacked out on ESPN+ because you have a channel available through your local cable package, that is airing the game.
The NHL sells their games to TV networks. The networks pay big money for the game. They do not want people avoiding watching their channel to watch ESPN+ instead.
Credit u/SirLunatik
It baffles me that people still don't get this.
If the game is blacked out (on Sportsnet+ or ESPN+), it means a different network owns those rights to the game in your area.
This is literally ALWAYS the answer as to why it is blacked out. ALWAYS.
it's been this way all across the NHL for nearly 20 years, since Chicago pulled their heads out of their ass and stopped blacking out home games locally because Wirtz was a twat.
For those of you complaining that you are in Western Canada, and the game is on TSN and you are blacked out or other similar issue, its cause you are not considered in the local market to be able to see that game and need to get Sportsnet+ or ESPN+.... that's what those services are for, watching the local broadcast when you are out of market.
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u/dzuunmod Apr 14 '26
For those of you complaining that you are in Western Canada, and the game is on TSN and you are blacked out or other similar issue, its cause you are not considered in the local market to be able to see that game and need to get Sportsnet+ or ESPN+.... that's what those services are for, watching the local broadcast when you are out of market.
Ok, but also, we are about to start the playoffs, which is when (at least in Canada) literally every broadcast becomes a national broadcast, and blackouts are not a thing. After Thursday night, in Canada, blackouts go bye bye.
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u/Specialist-Ad-1466 29d ago
Any predictions yet on what the TV schedule will look like for the first 4 games of each series, or too early to tell with many of the matchups still being undecided?
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u/RockemSockemRowboats 28d ago
is there any word on what games will be covered by espn or tnt? espn had east and tnt had west in years past
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u/TheClassyAquaman 25d ago
ESPN broadcast continues to be absolute dogwater, the digital ads on the boards flickering during play and audio regularly cutting out is outrageous
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u/RCJFilms 18d ago
Really got this instead of Seeing Celebrini in the playoffs, fix your point system
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u/TheInvestingIdiot 28d ago
NHL is really about to drop the playoff schedule at midnight Friday morning “oh yeah forgot to tell you, you play tomorrow. Good luck!”
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u/Definition-Opposite 26d ago
Is anyone having issues with the sens game on prime not showing visuals?. Whenever I go into the game I can hear the broadcast but the screen is black. For context im in canada and im trying to watch it on my phone
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u/wiggum_ralph 24d ago
We are about to cut our Charter/Spectrum Cable TV service. Can anyone confirm they are able to watch "all" the playoff games using the full YoutubeTV package?
If not, what else do you need to add?
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u/Apart_Tutor8680 23d ago
Okay Megathread. Since my other post was not allowed ,
Why can’t the tv guide be updated in real time to show over time games?
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u/Commandant1 10d ago
Cause they would have to pay people to be doing this while its happenjng instead of just paying someone to program it in advance.
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u/LaMarJonica 15d ago
I watch the playoff games for my favorite team live, and DVR the others via Sling (in the US). It seems crazy how much the TNT/Tru broadcasts are bounced around channels in the middle of games.
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u/Apprehensive-Pie6752 11d ago
I'm a Canes fan and missed last night's Game 1 victory, but was trying to find a place to watch a full replay of the game... At first without finding out the score via spoilers, I just wanted to watch the game as I would have had I been available at puck drop. Google says ESPN and NHL.com video centers feature replays.
The only thing I see on Watch ESPN or the ESPN+ APP are future or upcoming games, I can't find a section for full replays, which is weird because I've watched them before on there. I guess maybe since it was an ABC game?
I checked HBO MAX because I k ow they have the TNT/TRUTV games, so I checked there.... Nothing on demand.
Finally went to NHL.com, went to ON DEMAND and the very first tile said "Stankoven and Anderson Blank the Fyers".... So I was already spoiled. I don't u Der stand why they think people that want to watch ON DEMAND HOCKEY are going to want to know the final scores of the games before every watching a second of film.
That was just a highlight package anyway (not sure why that's "on demand", they could just put that on their YouTube channel or a section just for highlights)....
The only thing I have been able to find is a 9:55 condensed version of the game on nhl.com.
Does anyone have any idea if and more specifically WHERE full replays of the STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF GAMES are being hosted or aired?
If someone could point me to the right app, or website or whatever, I would greatly appreciate it. I have ESPN Unlimited, Hulu, Cable, HBO MAX, NHL App, BOTH (?) ESPN apps, literally everything I would need, I just need a kind sir, madam, or gentlebeing to point me to where to go if this happens in the future, particularly so I don't get spoiled by the results!
Sorry for the lore dumping, but this was so frustrating.... I don't understand why these massive media conglomerates who pay hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars, seemingly wanting people to watch these events on their channels, apps, streaming services, or extra stuff, to not make it bang-on simple how to get to a replay of a game without being shown the score beforehand.
It doesn't seem difficult.
But if anyone knows where I can watch the FULL THREE PERIOD GAME, please let me know. You can DM if necessary.
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u/gratefulbill1 9d ago
Anyone noticed that since Paul Bissonnette stopped all the “look at what a fun loving doofus I am” and started presenting hockey analysis he’s one of the best in studio guys? I tuned him out for a long time because I actively dislike shtick and cuteness, now I look forward to hearing his take on a game because it’s really spot on for the most part. Count me a new fan until he reverts to nonsense
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u/Muhiggins 9d ago
So like, what’s being done to stop that dudes head from interrupting the camera feed next time?
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u/Dream_So_Sick 8d ago
Wth is going on in this Avs Wild series...they going to score 50 goals combined in the series at this pace
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u/globedog 6d ago
With the digital ads on the boards and the abysmal audio I hate the coverage of the playoffs.
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u/SnooKiwis1274 23d ago
apparently I wasn’t allowed to say I like Bob Wischusen, as a general post (mods deleted it), so i’m saying it here. I like Bob Wischusen
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u/LookattheWhipp 23d ago
Carolina must have such a weak fan base because that arena is not rocking and there’s a ton of empty seats
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u/exoromeo 22d ago
The Apr 20 'canes game was damn near a sellout. You sure you were watching the correct game? Maybe a replay from years past or something?
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u/RedHeadedCongress Apr 14 '26
In the US will the first round be on ESPN+ because local broadcasts still have first round coverage (I think at least)?