How to Watch the NHL Games Live for Free in 2025
The National Hockey League (NHL) games start on October 4th and you can watch them live for free on CBS in Canada or Ran.de in Germany. Unfortunately, these platforms are not available in other countries and some matches are subject to blackouts.
A VPN can technically change your IP address to watch all NHL games live from anywhere. However, I don’t condone it as it’s against most streaming services’ terms of use and licensing agreements.
Be careful when signing up for a service to protect your privacy as most VPNs’ IP addresses are blocked by streaming platforms. I recommend ExpressVPN as it works reliably with all platforms broadcasting the NHL games and it’s very fast to support lag-free streaming. You can try it risk-free as all its plans are backed by a 30*-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WatchEverywhere, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Get ExpressVPN to watch the NHL
Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Watch the NHL Games Live in 2025 With a VPN
- Get a VPN. I found that ExpressVPN is the best to watch NHL as it has high-speed servers to prevent buffering.
- Connect to a local server. If you’re in Canada, pick a server in your city to stream through your CBS account.
- Watch the football match. Log in to CBS to watch every NHL match.
Important! My team and I don’t condone copyright infringement. The VPNs recommended below have no-log policies, so no one can see or track your online activities. It’s on you to use your VPN responsibly, while complying with all applicable regulations.
Where to Watch the 2025 NHL Games Live
| Country | Streaming Platform | Free Streaming? |
| US | ESPN+ | ✘ |
| Hulu + Live TV | ✘ | |
| Sling TV | ✘ | |
| Canada | CBS | ✔ |
| Germany | Ran.de | ✔ |
| Worldwide (Outside Canada & the US) | NHL.TV | ✘ |
The Best VPNs to Watch the NHL Games in 2025
1. ExpressVPN – #1 VPN With High-Speed Servers to Watch NHL Without Lags
Key Features:
- 3,300 + servers in 105 countries, including the US, Canada, and Germany
- Military-grade encryption, advanced security features, and leak protection
- Watch the game live on up to 8 devices simultaneously
- 24/7 live chat and email support
- 30*-day money-back guarantee on all plans
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN to watch NHL games without lags and buffering. Even with my wireless broadband, which is considerably slower than my home fiber connection, I barely noticed any delays. If your internet is slow this season, I recommend getting ExpressVPN as its Lightway protocol can provide the boost you need.
When selecting a VPN for the NHL, remember that not all of them work with major streaming services. Streaming platforms actively detect and block VPN IP addresses to protect their licensing agreements. This can be a problem if you have a favorite platform. However, all ExpressVPN servers tested worked with CBS, Ran.de, NHL.TV, and more.
Besides the streaming platforms themselves, some networks are also known to block VPN traffic. For example, you typically can’t watch the NHL games on your school or workplace network. The good thing is, ExpressVPN’s servers are obfuscated to hide the fact that your traffic originated from a VPN. This allows you to stream as usual.
ExpressVPN also has one of the easiest VPN apps to use – you can start using it intuitively even if it was your first time. Just click the large power button to connect to a local server and watch your favorite NHL team in action within seconds. You can make any settings adjustments by selecting the preferences menu and switching between relevant tabs.
The VPN’s only disadvantage is that it’s more expensive than other VPNs on this list. However, it also beats all other VPNs in terms of speed and usability with NHL streaming platforms. With ExpressVPN, you don’t have to worry about missing critical moments in a game or losing access to your streaming account.
I recommend you try ExpressVPN’s 2-year plan. It’s only a month and you can try it risk-free since it’s backed by a 30*-day money-back guarantee. I asked for a refund via live chat after my tests and the agent processed my request without questions – I got my money back within 4 days. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WatchEverywhere, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.
2025 Update! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as per month with a 2-year purchase (save up to %)!! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost – Optimized Servers for Streaming the NHL Games
Key Features:
- 9,757 + servers across 100 countries, including optimized streaming servers
- Military-grade 256-bit encryption, WiFi protection, a kill switch, no-log policy, and more
- Connect up to 7 devices for simultaneous live streaming
- 24/7 live chat, email, and online ticket support
- Long-term plans include a 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost has optimized servers for ESPN+, Hulu, Sling TV, and more to watch NHL. You don’t have to try multiple servers in the US – just connect to the optimized server in your country and you can log in to your streaming account on the first try. Some regular servers in your location may also work, but it might take a few tries.
It’s safer to watch the NHL with a VPN like CyberGhost if you plan on using a public hotspot. It has WiFi protection to automatically start a VPN connection instead of relying on you to do it manually. This reduces the risk of your data getting hacked if you forget to do it.
I found CyberGhost has servers in every country where the NHL is broadcast, including the US and Canada. My team and I tested more than 50 regular and optimized servers, and each were very fast for live streaming. My American colleagues confirmed that they barely noticed a difference in streaming quality on ESPN+ when they connected to a local server.
The only thing I didn’t like is that CyberGhost sometimes triggers CAPTCHA verifications, especially if you try to stream NHL matches on a browser. This was a minor issue though, since it usually just took a quick tick on a box or solving a puzzle. Plus, you won’t face this issue if you use your streaming app instead.
If you don’t need a VPN long-term, you can take advantage of its 45-day money-back guarantee. The 2-year plan only costs /month but you can get it all back with the guarantee. I canceled my plan via live chat and asked for a full refund after 30 days – I got my money back after 5 days. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WatchEverywhere, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
CyberGhost works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) – Huge Network to Watch the NHL Games Without Congestion
Key Features:
- 35,000 + servers in 91 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, and more
- Flexible encryption, a no-log policy, MACE ad blocker, private payment method
- Stream on unlimited devices
- 24/7 live chat, email support, and online guides
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA has a huge network of servers to avoid overcrowding when streaming the NHL. When a server gets crowded, its performance is affected and your streams lag. But since PIA has tens of thousands of servers, there’s enough bandwidth for every user, whether they’re streaming the NHL, playing games, or downloading files.
If your internet is naturally slow, you can adjust PIA’s settings to improve speeds for streaming the NHL games. Try switching to the WireGuard protocol as this is sometimes faster than the default OpenVPN 126-bit connection. Alternatively, reduce the data packet size to get a smoother connection.
I recommend turning on PIA’s MACE if you plan on watching the NHL games on an unverified site or Kodi. It will keep your data safe and protect your privacy if you accidentally click a bad link. MACE also blocks annoying pop-up ads and malicious sites.
The only problem with PIA is that it doesn’t work with some streaming platforms. However, its streaming optimized servers in the US worked with ESPN+, Hulu, and Sling TV. But if you’re in Canada or another country, ExpressVPN might be a better option for you as it works easily with a wider number of platforms broadcasting the NHL.
PIA is the most affordable VPN at /month with the 2-year plan. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you plan on using PIA for less than a month to watch the ice hockey game, cancel it on time and ask for a full refund. I was reimbursed within 7 days after canceling my subscription with a PIA live chat agent. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WatchEverywhere, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
PIA works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
FAQs on Watching the 2025 NHL Games
Is it legal to use a VPN to watch the 2025 NHL games?
Where can I watch the NHL games online in 2025?
How to watch the NHL in the US?
Can I watch the NHL games for free in 2025?
Can I use a free VPN to livestream the 2025 NHL games?
It might be possible, but it won’t be enjoyable and I don’t recommend it. The best VPNs for streaming the NHL are premium VPNs with high-speed servers to prevent buffering. They don’t limit how much data you can use and they have the resources required to refresh blocked IP addresses frequently.
Free VPNs are useful for basic activities like checking emails and sending messages. They’re not suitable for streaming as they cap speeds, data, and the number of servers you can use to keep costs low. The 2 or 3 free servers they offer may not be in your country to watch NHL. The worst free VPNs sell your data or inject malware to your device.
Watch the NHL for Free With the Fastest VPN in 2025!
If you’re in Canada or Germany, you can watch the NFL for free on CBS and Ran.de. To make sure your data is safe, get a VPN that’s proven to work with these streaming platforms. Besides that, make sure it doesn’t drag your speeds down too much. This can result in lagging and you might miss critical parts of a match.
After testing dozens of VPNs, my team and I found a few reliable ones to watch the NHL games online. ExpressVPN was the fastest and it worked with CBS, Ran.de, ESPN+, Hulu, and more. I recommend you try ExpressVPN with your favorite platform. It’s completely risk-free since it’s backed by a 30*-day money-back guarantee.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WatchEverywhere, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
*Please note that ExpressVPN’s generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.
Summary – Watch the 2025 NHL With Top-Rated VPNs:
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
