How to watch the NHL playoffs: 2nd-round schedule

The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs have entered the second round, featuring four thrilling best-of-7 series—two in the Eastern Conference and two in the Western Conference. Fans can’t wait to see how these series unfold as each team vies for the prestigious Stanley Cup. In this article, we provide a comprehensive schedule for each of the second-round series, along with streaming information for viewers in the United States and abroad.

Streaming Options for the NHL Playoffs

In the US, the NHL playoff games are broadcast across various channels, including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and TBS. To watch these games, you’ll need access to local TV with an antenna, cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service. The table below outlines the top streaming options available for catching all the playoff action:

Streaming ServiceChannels IncludedMonthly CostSpecial Offer
Sling TV OrangeESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS$40$20 for the first month
Sling TV Orange + BlueABC (select cities), ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS$55-$6050% off the first month
Hulu + Live TVABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS$69.997-day free trial

Second Round Series-by-Series Schedule

The excitement of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs continues as the second round commences, featuring eight top-tier teams battling it out in four thrilling best-of-7 series. The Eastern Conference showcases two exhilarating matchups with the Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the Florida Panthers, and the Carolina Hurricanes facing the New Jersey Devils. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars go head-to-head with the Seattle Kraken, and the Vegas Golden Knights clash with the Edmonton Oilers.

Fans around the globe eagerly anticipate the action-packed games in the race to secure a spot in the Conference Finals.

Below is the complete second round series-by-series schedule, including dates, times, and broadcast channels for each game. Don’t miss a moment of the exhilarating action as these teams vie for the coveted Stanley Cup.

Eastern Conference

Toronto Maple Leafs (A2) vs. Florida Panthers (WC2)

Panthers lead series, 3-0

GameDate and TimeChannel(s)
1Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 2
2Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2
3Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (OT)
4Wed., May 10, 7 p.m.ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS
5*Fri., May 12, TBDTNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
6*Sun., May 14, TBDSN, CBC, TVAS
7*Tue., May 16, TBDTNT, SN, CBC, TVAS

Carolina Hurricanes (M1) vs. New Jersey Devils (M2)

Hurricanes lead series, 3-1

GameDate and TimeChannel(s)
1Hurricanes 5, Devils 1
2Hurricanes 6, Devils 1
3Devils 8, Hurricanes 4
4Hurricanes 6, Devils 1
5Thu., May 11, 7 p.m.TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
6*Sat., May 13, 4 p.m.ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS
7*Mon., May 15, TBDESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS

Western Conference

Dallas Stars (C2) vs. Seattle Kraken (WC1)

Series tied 2-2

GameDate and TimeChannel(s)
1Kraken 5, Stars 4 (OT)
2Stars 4, Kraken 2
3Kraken 7, Stars 2
4Stars 6, Kraken 3
5Thu., May 11, 9:30 p.m.TNT, SN, TVAS
6Sat., May 13, 7 p.m.ESPN, SN, TVAS
7*Mon., May 15, TBDESPN, SN, TVAS

Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P2)

Golden Knights lead series, 2-1

GameDate and TimeChannel(s)
1Golden Knights 6, Oilers 4
2Oilers 5, Golden Knights 1
3Golden Knights 5, Oilers 1
4Wed., May 10, 10 p.m.ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS
5Fri., May 12, TBDTNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
6*Sun., May 14, TBDSN, CBC, TVAS
7*Tue., May 16, TBDTNT, SN, CBC, TVAS

TBD = To be determined

  • = If necessary

FAQS

How many teams participate in the NHL playoffs?

A total of 16 teams qualify for the NHL playoffs, with eight teams representing the Eastern Conference and eight teams representing the Western Conference.

How is the playoff format structured?

The NHL playoffs are structured in a best-of-seven series format for each round. There are four rounds in total: the First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals, and the Stanley Cup Final.

How are teams seeded in the playoffs?

Teams are seeded based on their performance in the regular season. In each conference, the top three teams from each division and two wild-card teams with the highest number of points qualify for the playoffs.

How can I watch the NHL playoffs online?

In the United States, NHL playoff games are broadcast across several channels, including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and TBS. To watch these games online, you can subscribe to a live TV streaming service such as Sling TV or Hulu + Live TV. For those outside of the United States, you can use a VPN service like ExpressVPN to access Sling TV and watch the games.

When do the NHL playoffs typically start and end?

The NHL playoffs typically begin in April, shortly after the conclusion of the regular season. The playoffs continue through May and June, with the Stanley Cup Final usually taking place in early to mid-June.

Are there any alternative ways to follow the NHL playoffs if I cannot watch the games live?

Yes, there are alternative ways to follow the NHL playoffs if you cannot watch the games live. You can listen to the games on the radio or via NHL’s official app. You can also follow live updates, scores, and highlights on the official NHL website or various sports news websites and apps.

James Idayi
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