How to Bypass NHL Blackouts on ESPN+ and NHL.TV
ESPN+ is the best place to catch most of the 2023-24 NHL season, as it brings around 80% of the games played this year. However, just like other sports streaming services, ESPN+ imposes blackouts, which means you can't watch your local hockey team live. That said, there's plenty you can do to bypass NHL blackouts and watch all games live with no restrictions.
The solution here is to use a VPN, which gives you an IP address from a different state, making it look like you're elsewhere. That'll help you watch NHL blackout games on ESPN+, but you'll still need to rely on cable networks like TNT for some games. However, you can overcome that obstacle by using a VPN and subscribing to NHL.TV.
To simplify this situation - a VPN can help you access both ESPN+ and NHL.TV from the US and any other country. With ESPN+, you'll get to stream around 80% of the total number of NHL games, like NHL.TV will give you 100% for a low monthly fee.
In this guide, we'll show you how to bypass NHL blackouts on ESPN+ and NHL.TV, help you pick the best NHL VPN for the job, provide device-specific guides, explain why the NHL uses blackouts, and show you the best places to catch all 2023-24 NHL games.
How to Watch Blackout NHL Games on ESPN+ and NHL.TV
To watch blackout NHL games on ESPN+ and NHL.TV, you need to use a VPN to obtain an IP address outside of your location. Here's how you can do that:
- Get an NHL VPN that can bypass blackouts (we recommend NordVPN).
- Download and install the VPN app on your device(s).
- Launch the VPN and log in using your credentials.
- Connect to a VPN server in a suitable location (more info below).
- You can now access ESPN+ or NHL.TV, based on what you use. That's it!
If you use ESPN+, you need to pick a VPN server outside your US state. And if you use NHL.TV, pick a VPN server outside of the United States and Canada (any country will do).
Best NHL VPNs - Our Shortlist
- NordVPN - Best VPN to Bypass NHL Blackouts on ESPN+ and NHL.TV
- Surfshark - Privacy-First VPN for Watching NHL Blackout Games
- ExpressVPN - Streamlined VPN for First-Time Users
- CyberGhost VPN - Get Around NHL Blackout Restrictions in 100 Countries
- Private Internet Access - High-End VPN for More Demanding Users
Why Does NHL Blackout Games?
NHL blackout games because of contractual agreements with regional sports networks(RSNs) and national broadcasters. More precisely, regional sports networks and national broadcasters pay huge fees to have the rights to broadcast games in specific areas.
In simple terms, your regional broadcaster has the exclusive rights to air your local NHL team's games. Also, national broadcasters (such as TNT, for example) air specific games as well, which means that other TV networks and streaming services aren't allowed to broadcast the games at the same time.
So, if you want to watch your local Bruins, Rangers, Kraken, Wild, Lighting, Sabres, Avalanche, Penguins, Flyers, Red Wings, Kings, or Blues games, you'll need to turn to a regional network available only in your state. Once the game ends, it becomes available on ESPN+ to watch.
If you want to watch your local NHL game live, you need to connect to a VPN server outside of your state, and ESPN+ will think you're not home, which is how you'll bypass NHL blackouts - as easy as that.
There are also NHL.TV blackout restrictions, but in a different form. NHL.TV is no longer available in the US or Canada, and has started to implement geo-blocks for those countries. However, there's an NHL.TV blackout workaround, which requires you to use a VPN to connect to a server outside the US or Canada, giving you full access to the streaming service.
The Best VPNs to Get Around NHL Blackout Restrictions
The best VPN that allows you to watch all NHL games without blackouts should be a powerful VPN with strong content-unblocking features. That said, the important feature is the ability to unblock ESPN+ and NHL.TV. To make that possible, your chosen VPN should offer plenty of servers both in the US and outside the country.
Next, you'll want fast and stable performance. Major slowdowns are not acceptable in this case since we're talking about media streaming here. You'll also want features that prevent your true information from leaking on the Web and let you watch blacked out NHL games with no interruptions, which is where obfuscation and a kill switch come into play.
It's also good to have strong VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN, in the first place. Those should be paired with bulletproof encryption, like AES-256. A no-logs policy should be in place as well, an audited one. Also, make sure you get enough simultaneous connections, as well as a generous money-back policy. Lastly, live chat support should be on offer as well.
Based on the criteria from above, here are the 5 best NHL TV VPNs for bypassing blackouts:
1. NordVPN - Best VPN to Bypass NHL Blackouts on ESPN+ and NHL.TV
NordVPN is the best VPN for bypassing NHL blackouts on ESPN+ and NHL.TV, by a long shot. It puts an emphasis on digital privacy while also letting you watch NHL blackout games without any restrictions. Also, it has 5,800+ servers in 60 countries. It covers 15+ US states, so you get plenty of options overall.
This VPN has done plenty in the past year to increase its performance. Today, its servers are very fast and stable, especially nearby ones. If you plan to use a highly remote server, it's best to use a more lightweight protocol. And if you want to really push it, you'll find a selection of obfuscated servers, many of which are found in the US.
When it comes to its protocols, this VPN is powered by OpenVPN and NordLynx (WireGuard), paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. A kill switch lets you shut down specific apps if something happens to your VPN tunnel. There's also a freshly audited no-logs policy, meaning that not even NordVPN will know you're trying to watch NHL blackout games.
A single subscription to NordVPN gives you 6 simultaneous connections, as well as apps for practically any device imaginable. You'll also be protected by its 30-day money-back policy, which means getting this VPN subscription comes risk-free. And if any issues arise at any moment, you'll get to resolve them quickly using 24/7-available live chat support.
PROS
- Can bypass any geo-block.
- Streaming-friendly performance.
- Over 5,800 VPN servers.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- Remote servers can be slow.
2. Surfshark - Privacy-First VPN for Watching NHL Blackout Games
Surfshark is a great example of an NHL VPN that can bypass ESPN+ and NHL.TV blocks with just a click of a button. It offers 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, as well as 25+ US cities. That makes unblocking the Web quite easy, as most countries offer multiple VPN locations.
Another perk is Surfshark's extra-fast performance. This VPN works amazingly well out of the box and without any tinkering. That applies both to its nearby and remote servers. Aside from that, obfuscation is optional, which means you can use it only when needed. If you're not in a restrictive country, Surfshark's standard servers will work just fine.
Then, there are protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, among others. They're designed to work with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption ciphers, ensuring total privacy. There's also a no-logs policy, which has been audited many times in the past. And, of course, a kill switch is there to plug any potential leaks and ensure your sensitive info doesn't surface on the Web.
Surfshark also gives you unlimited simultaneous connections. A 30-day money-back policy gives you plenty of time to test-drive this VPN on each of your devices. And if you ever encounter an issue, you can count on the VPN's 24/7 live chat support.
PROS
- Works with ESPN+ and NHL.TV.
- Servers in 100 countries.
- Extra-fast performance.
- 30-day money-back policy.
- 24/7 live chat support.
CONS
- Can take a while to connect.
3. ExpressVPN - Streamlined VPN for First-Time Users
ExpressVPN can unblock ESPN+ and NHL.TV with no effort and without having to tweak or fine-tune its settings. That's because it brings 3,000+ servers in 100+ countries. Also, you'll find hundreds of servers across 15+ US locations.
This is also the fastest VPN available today - and we're saying that based on our hands-on tests. No matter if you connect to nearby or highly remote servers, ExpressVPN will let you live-stream NHL games with no buffering. Also, all ExpressVPN servers are obfuscated, which is why it can bypass NHL blackouts so easily.
Even though it looks simple, this is a highly advanced VPN. You'll get protocols like OpenVPN and Lightway, paired with AES-256 encryption. ExpressVPN also has a kill switch across all its supported platforms, making sure your data doesn't leak if you disconnect by accident. And, of course, there's also a recently audited no-logs policy.
If you pick a long-term subscription, this VPN will give you 8 simultaneous connections, which is more than enough to stream ESPN+ and NHL.TV even at the same time. There are also 30-day money-back guarantees, proving that ExpressVPN has nothing to hide. Lastly, 24/7 live chat is part of its offer as well, helping you resolve issues in no time.
PROS
- Can bypass NHL blackouts.
- Unblocks ESPN+ and NHL.TV.
- Servers in 90+ countries.
- Fastest VPN right now.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 30-day money-back policy.
CONS
- Limited customization.
4. CyberGhost VPN - Get Around NHL Blackout Restrictions in 100 Countries
CyberGhost VPN lets you get around NHL blackout restrictions with ease, as it offers 9,000+ servers in 90+ countries. Of those, 1,100+ servers are in the US, covering 10+ cities. That said, it's no wonder that it can unblock ESPN+ and NHL.TV so effortlessly. In fact, you can use this VPN with 40+ streaming services thanks to its streaming-optimized servers.
We'll also add that CyberGhost comes with stable performance. However, it's not as fast as our previous recommendations. So, if you plan on bypassing NHL blackouts using this VPN, it's useful to have a relatively fast Web connection. We'll also add that obfuscation is not on offer, which may be a problem in more restrictive countries and networks.
On the plus side, this VPN brings a recently audited no-logs policy. It also uses protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, leaving no trace of your online whereabouts. Naturally, those are paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. A kill switch also works in the background, protecting you against data leaks at all times.
CyberGhost supports 7 simultaneous connections on all its plans. You'll also get a 45-day money-back guarantee if you pick a long-term subscription, which seems more than generous. As you'd expect from a powerful VPN, this one also has 24/7 live chat customer support.
PROS
- Unblocks ESPN+ and NHL.TV.
- Works with 40+ streaming services.
- Servers in 90+ countries.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 45-day money-back policy.
CONS
- Not the fastest option.
- Lacks obfuscation.
5. Private Internet Access - High-End VPN for More Demanding Users
Private Internet Access is a dream come true for more experienced VPN users. It comes with plenty of fine-tuning and customization, letting you use ESPN+ and NHL.TV with no limitations and without blackouts. It has thousands of servers in 80+ countries. More importantly, it covers every single US state, which is something you won't find elsewhere.
We'll also praise PIA's performance, as it can be quite fast. However, be prepared to dive deeper into its settings if you're looking for the best possible speeds. Fine-tuning this VPN's protocols and encryption can go a long way. You'll also get obfuscation, breaking down your traffic into even smaller bits of data.
In terms of its primary VPN features, PIA certainly doesn't disappoint. You get protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, paired with various levels of encryption. There are two types of kill switches, an anti-tracking feature, and a whole lot of options to keep your privacy intact. All that goes hand-in-hand with creating the safest VPN tunnel possible for bypassing NHL blackouts.
With PIA, you get unlimited simultaneous connections. And to prove there's nothing to hide, PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Should you ever need help, you can count on this VPN's 24/7 live chat support, in addition to plenty of written resources, installation guides, how-to articles, and plenty more.
PROS
- Great for bypassing NHL blackouts.
- Servers in all 50 US states.
- In-depth fine-tuning.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- Requires some optimization.
- Plenty of VPN terminology.
NHL Blackout Map
The rules surrounding NHL blackouts didn't change too much in the 2023-24 season. Even though most of this year's games are on ESPN+ in the US, there are still many games that air on national and regional networks.
By default, your local NHL team's games are broadcast on your local network, and they become available on ESPN+ once they end. When it comes to national networks, they can decide which games they broadcast. However, more popular teams will certainly reserve their slots, such as the Bruins, Maple Leafs, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Take a look below.
The map shown above shows the networks that reserve their exclusive broadcast rights across the United States and Canada. In other countries, NHL.TV should air games without blackouts, with Germany and Austria being exceptions.
How to Get Around NHL Blackouts on Any Device
To get around NHL blackouts on your computer, phone, or smart TV, you need to set up a VPN first. Then, connect to a VPN server outside your state and access ESPN+ or NHL.TV. You'll find our individual guides just below.
How to Bypass NHL Blackouts on PC (Windows, macOS & Linux)
On Windows, macOS, or Linux computers, you can watch NHL blackout games by using a VPN and your Web browser. Go through the following steps:
- Get a VPN suitable for NHL streaming (we recommend NordVPN).
- Download and install the VPN on your Windows, macOS, or Linux device.
- Open the VPN and complete the initial setup.
- Connect to a server outside your US state or outside the US altogether.
- You can now access ESPN+ or NHL.TV, based on what you use.
How to Bypass NHL Blackouts on Mobile Devices (iOS, Android)
When it comes to mobile devices, you can bypass NHL blackouts by enabling your VPN before opening the ESPN+ or NHL.TV app, like so:
- Subscribe to a capable VPN service (we recommend NordVPN).
- Use your device's App Store to download the VPN app.
- Open the app, log in, and complete its one-time setup.
- Connect to a server inside or outside the US, based on your goal.
- You can now launch the ESPN or NHL.TV app. Enjoy!
How to Bypass NHL Blackouts on TVs
Most TVs don't work with VPNs, so you'll need an alternative. So, let's show you how to get around NHL blackout restrictions using a router. Use these steps:
- Get a VPN that works with routers (we recommend NordVPN).
- You can need to set up the VPN on your router.
- Pick and connect to a VPN server inside or outside the US.
- Make sure your VPN session is now active on your router.
- Connect your TV to your router (you can use Wi-Fi for this).
- Access ESPN or NHL.TV on your TV. That's it!
VPN Not Bypassing NHL Blackouts - How to Fix?
If your VPN fails to bypass NHL blackouts, there's a range of actions you can try. For example, try another VPN protocol or another server, remove your device's cache, and more. These are our recommendations:
- Switch to Another VPN Protocol: Bypassing anti-VPN systems employed by ESPN+ and NHL.TV requires you to use a more powerful protocol. So, visit your VPN app's settings and switch to OpenVPN or WireGuard, both of which are great for content unblocking.
- Try Using Another VPN Server: If your VPN offers obfuscated servers, try those first. In any case, technical problems may arise if you connect to an overcrowded server. Try to find one lower on the list of available servers, as that one might have more resources available.
- Clear Cookies & Cache: If you access ESPN+ or NHL.TV using your Web browser, leftover cookies and cache might still contain your location data. So, remove your browser's leftover files, connect to your VPN, and try again.
- Remove Other VPN Apps: Every VPN you install adds new configurations to your device, which can create a software conflict in the long term. Our recommendation is to keep and use only a single VPN app and remove the rest.
- Update Your VPN App: To get the best data protection and the fastest speed, ensure you always use the latest version of your VPN app. Most VPNs update on their own, but you'll want to check if any new updates are available by visiting the settings panel.
- Check Your Device's Firewall: If you use a Windows PC, your computer's firewall might interfere with your VPN connection. Your device's firewall is important, so our advice is to disable it only temporarily.
- Contact Your VPN Provider: If you still can't bypass NHL blackouts, contact your VPN and ask for assistance. Hopefully, your chosen VPN will offer 24/7 live chat support, so you can get a solution in no time.
Where to Watch NHL Games?
The best place to watch all NHL games in the US is ESPN+, as it hosts both ESPN and ABC games. However, you'll also want TNT broadcasts, which are available via the TNT (cable) or Max (streaming) apps.
What you're after is a live TV streaming service that offers ESPN, TNT, and ABC, so your options are Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV, Sling TV, and more. And if you're in Canada, the best place to watch NHL games is the Sportsnet+ app.
If you're outside of Canada or the United States, you need to stick to NHL.TV, which became an international streaming service in 2022. The same applies to those in the US or Canada who want to save money, as you can access NHL.TV with a VPN (as explained above).
NHL Schedule
When it comes to this year's NHL schedule, the 2023-24 season began on October 10, 2023, and is poised to end in April 2024. Here's a handy overview of this year's NHL schedule.
If you're looking for a more precise schedule, head over to the NHL website, where you'll find a list of games sorted by dates. You'll also find the full upcoming schedule.
Final Thoughts
Sadly, ESPN+ is still obligated to employ NHL blackouts across the United States, forcing NHL fans to turn to their regional sports networks. However, the good news is that a VPN can help you bypass NHL blackout games with ease and without going away from ESPN+.
Even better, sports streaming services like NHL.TV work with VPNs as well. They're not available in the US and Canada, so a VPN can help you unblock them at a low monthly cost. Of course, this can happen only if you use a powerful VPN service.
That's why we recommend NordVPN, as it helps you bypass blackouts with ease, giving you full access to ESPN+ and NHL.TV. It's simply the best NHL TV VPN for watching NHL games.
That's all for our guide on how to bypass NHL blackouts on ESPN+ and NHL.TV. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!