Access free live streams of major games without any cost. By Joseph Green on April 24, 2026. All products featured here are independently chosen by our editors and writers. Mashable may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase through links on our site.
Live stream the NHL for free on 9Now or Prime Video. Access these free live streams worldwide with ExpressVPN.
Ice hockey uniquely blends skill, grace, elegance, and physicality. It captivates millions of fans globally, but following it for free isn’t always easy. Yet, in the streaming era, nothing is impossible.
If you want to watch the NHL for free from anywhere, we have all the details you need.
What is the NHL?
The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America, comprising 32 teams (25 in the United States and seven in Canada).
When is the NHL?
The NHL season usually runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. After the regular season, 16 teams advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs, a four-round tournament going into June to determine the league champion.
How to watch the NHL for free
Select NHL fixtures are available to live stream for free on these platforms:
– Australia — 9Now (21 regular-season games)
– Canada — Prime Video (Monday Night Hockey with 30-day trial)
These free streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia and Canada, allowing access to these streaming services from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the NHL for free by following these simple steps:
1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
2. Download the app to your device (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
3. Open the app and connect to a server in Australia or Canada
4. Visit 9Now or Prime Video
5. Live stream the NHL for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By utilizing these offers, you can watch the NHL without spending anything. This isn’t a long-term solution, but it allows you to stream select NHL fixtures before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms worldwide, a subscription is necessary. Fortunately, the best service for streaming sports is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for 9Now?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sports, due to:
– Servers in 105 countries including Australia and Canada
– Easy-to-use app available on major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
– Strict no-logging policy securing your data
– Fast connection speeds
– Up to 10 simultaneous connections
– 30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, a one-month plan is available for $12.99 (with a money-back guarantee).
Live stream the NHL for free with ExpressVPN.