Regional blackouts continue to frustrate hockey fans using ESPN+. Missing key matchups due to location limits the value of your subscription. This guide explains how to watch blackout NHL games on ESPN+ with proven VPN solutions!
What Is the NHL?
The NHL, or National Hockey League, is one of North America’s premier professional sports leagues. It was founded back in 1917 in Montreal, originally to settle disagreements between team owners but it quickly grew into something much bigger.
Today, the league has 32 teams (25 in the U.S. and 7 in Canada) and runs on a franchise system. Each year, teams play through a regular season followed by intense playoffs, all leading up to the Stanley Cup. Overall, the NHL is all about fast-paced, hard-hitting ice hockey, and it pulls in millions of fans every season.
Why Are NHL Games Blacked Out on ESPN+?
You might have come across this frustrating notice: “This event has been blacked out in your area.” So, what does blackout mean on ESPN?
A blackout on ESPN (and ESPN+) is a restriction that prevents viewers in certain areas from watching a particular live event. The league grants local TV channels the rights to air games in their specific region, and in exchange, services like ESPN+ are required to block the game in that zone.
This practice is common in U.S. sports broadcasting, but it hits NHL fans particularly hard because of how broad and overlapping the blackout zones can be. It could be your entire state or even neighboring regions. When this happens, you won’t be able to stream the game on ESPN+, even if you pay for the service.
Moreover, some certain teams, like the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, or Tampa Bay Lightning, always seem to be blacked out. It’s the result of local broadcasting rights agreements. Each team has an exclusive deal with a regional sports network (like NESN for the Bruins, Bally Sports North for the Wild, or Bally Sports Sun for the Lightning). These networks pay to have the rights to broadcast every in-market game for their team, and those rights are strictly enforced.
These blackout NHL zones (divided by teams) rely on your device’s IP address to figure out where you are.
Some key insights based on the NHL blackout map:
- Iowa doesn’t have its own NHL team, but it falls into the broadcast regions of three teams: the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Chicago Blackhawks. So if you’re in Des Moines and trying to watch any of those teams on ESPN+, chances are the stream will be blacked out because local networks have the exclusive rights.
- Even though Seattle finally got its own team, the Kraken, fans there still run into confusing blackout issues. The region gets partial coverage from teams like Vancouver and San Jose. Sometimes games are available, and other times they’re not.
Before subscribing to ESPN+ for NHL coverage, check if your location falls into a blackout zone. ESPN+ uses your IP address to detect your region. if it overlaps with a team’s local broadcast rights, the game will be blocked, even if you’ve paid for full access.
Can You Watch Blacked-Out NHL Games on ESPN+?
ESPN+ offers extensive coverage of NHL games, broadcasting over 1,050 out-of-market matchups each season. However, due to regional broadcasting agreements, certain games are subject to blackout restrictions. To overcome these restrictions of ESPN plus blackout NHL, many fans turn to alternative options.
Can I Watch All Out-of-Market NHL Games?
For those not available on ESPN+, you’ll need a combination of services of national broadcasters:
- TNT: Airs 62 exclusive games, including special events. These can also be streamed on truTV or through Max’s B/R Sports Add-On.
- ESPN (TV channel): Broadcasts additional exclusive games throughout the season.
Dedicated NHL fans can ensure they don’t miss a single game throughout the season!
Does YouTube TV or Hulu Have Blackout Limits Too?
Yes! Both YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are subject to the same blackout restrictions as other broadcasters. These services adhere to regional and national broadcasting agreements. For instance, a Reddit user from Iowa noted that while they could watch Chicago Blackhawks games, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues games were marked as ‘Unavailable’ due to regional blackouts.
How to Watch Blacked-Out NHL Games on ESPN+ With TurisVPN
Additionally, many fans turn to VPN for NHL games services, which mask their IP address and route their connection through servers in different locations.
Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up a VPN for ESPN+
Among various VPN apps in the market currently, TurisVPN helps you change your virtual location for free and access out-of-market NHL games on ESPN+. Let’s follow this step-by-step guide:
- Download and Install the reliable VPN App: Not all VPNs are created equal. Popular free VPN choices include TurisVPN. Go to its official website or your device’s app store and download the app.
- LogIn and Connect to a VPN Server: Open the app, log in with your VPN credentials, and connect to a server in a region where the game isn’t blacked out. Avoid your local area. You can choose a city or state that doesn’t fall under your team’s blackout zone.
- Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies (If Using a Web Browser): To make sure ESPN+ doesn’t detect your actual location, it’s a good idea to clear your browser history, cookies, and cache. This helps remove any old location data that might interfere with the VPN’s masking.
- Log In to ESPN+ and Start Streaming: Now head over to the ESPN+ website or open the ESPN app. Log in with your credentials, find the NHL game you want to watch, and press play. As long as your VPN for NHL games is active and correctly configured, you should be able to watch blackout-free.
Many sports streaming platforms that carry NHL games also run promotions where you can watch free NBA League Pass.
VPN Setup Tips for Singapore/Malaysia Users
Singapore VPN usually offers pretty good value. But if you’re in Singapore or Malaysia and want to watch NHL games on ESPN+, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Select US-Based Servers: Connect to VPN servers located in the U.S., preferably in states without NHL teams to minimize blackout risks.
- Use Desktop Browsers: Access ESPN+ via desktop browsers, as mobile apps might have stricter location checks.
- Clear Browser Data: Before accessing ESPN+, clear your browser’s cache and cookies to prevent location detection.
- Test Different Servers: If one server doesn’t work, try connecting to another U.S.-based server.
2024–2025 NHL on ESPN+ schedule
The 2024–25 NHL season is in full swing, and ESPN+ continues to be a premier destination for hockey fans seeking comprehensive coverage. Below is a selection of notable upcoming games available on ESPN+ (note that availability may vary based on regional blackout restrictions):
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| June 4, 2025 | Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers (Game 1) | 8:00 PM |
| June 6, 2025 | Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers (Game 2) | 8:00 PM |
| June 9, 2025 | Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers (Game 3) | 8:00 PM |
| June 12, 2025 | Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers (Game 4) | 8:00 PM |
| June 14, 2025 | Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers (Game 5 – if necessary) | 8:00 PM |
| June 17, 2025 | Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers (Game 7 – if necessary) | 8:00 PM |
| June 20, 2025 | Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers (Game 8 – if necessary) | 8:00 PM |
Bottom Line
How to watch blackout NHL games on ESPN+ throughout the entire season requires a smart mix of streaming tools. The best VPN for blackout restrictions helps you get around blackouts, ESPN+ gives you out-of-market access, and networks like TNT and ESPN cover national matchups.
FAQs
Q1. Can You Watch Replays of Blacked-Out NHL Games on ESPN+?
Yes, but with a catch. While live blacked-out NHL games on ESPN+ are restricted due to regional broadcasting rights, replays typically become available a few hours after the game ends. Therefore, if you miss a game because of a blackout, you can still watch it later that night or the next day on demand.
Q2. Is ESPN+ Worth It for Hockey?
If you’re an NHL fan and live outside your favorite team’s local market, then yes, ESPN+ is absolutely worth it. With over 1,050 out-of-market games per season available via NHL Power Play, plus select exclusive national broadcasts, ESPN+ offers incredible value for the price.
However, it’s not a complete solution. Blackouts still apply to local games and marquee national matchups. So to get full coverage, you may also need:
- Access to ESPN, TNT, or ABC (via cable or live TV streaming services)
- A VPN to bypass regional blackouts
Q3. How Do NHL Blackouts Work by ZIP Code?
NHL blackout ZIP code is tied to regional broadcast rights, which is determined using your ZIP code or IP address. When you try to stream a game on ESPN+ that’s being shown on a local regional sports network (RSN) in your area, it gets blacked out.
