With the NHL regular season coming to an end, it’s time to look forward to the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The final day of the season will determine who clinches the last playoff spot. And with all the excitement that’s building up, it looks like it’s going to be one heck of a tournament. Unfortunately, hockey fans outside the US won’t be able to enjoy it. That’s because the channels broadcasting the event are geo-blocked anywhere else in the world.
How to Watch 2019 NHL Playoffs Anywhere
But no need to stress out. You can still catch the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs by using a VPN.
Channels Airing the 2019 NHL Playoffs
Several networks and channels will broadcast the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, they are all inaccessible outside the United States. Here’s a list of the channels:
- NBCSN
- NBC
- CNBC
- USA Network
- NHL Network
- Fubo TV
- Sling TV
- Hulu
- DirecTV Now
- PlayStation Vue
- YouTube TV
How to Stream the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Using VPN
If you’re looking to watch the 2019 NHL Playoffs outside the land of the stars and stripes, you’re out of luck. Due to copyright reasons, the channels screening the tournament are only available within US territories.
You see, streaming services can pinpoint your location using your IP address. If they see that you’re connected from Australia, the UK, or France for example, they will block their content. The only way to bypass them is via VPN, or virtual private network.
A VPN can hide your IP address and replace it with another one from a different region. It uses software that spoofs your location by redirecting your connection to a server of your choice. This means that once you connect to any US server, you’ll be able to unblock any American channel that is subject to geo-blocks.
To put it simply, all you have to do to watch the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs is:
- Sign up with a VPN provider. We recommend ExpressVPN.
- Download and install the app on your PC, Mac, iOS, or Android device.
- Sign in and launch the app.
- Connect to any server from the USA.
- Double check your new IP address on WhatIsMyIP.network.
- Follow the ice hockey rink action.
Watch 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs with ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN providers to bypass geo-blocks. I personally use it whenever I want to watch the NHL Playoffs or any other American sport. The brand offers so many features, including:
- 160 server locations: With over 1,000 servers spread across 94 countries, you can switch to any server you’d like.
- Full Netflix compatibility: Access any library you like, including the US version of Netflix.
- Torrenting and P2P allowance: ExpressVPN allows full P2P file-sharing activity, so you can download any movie or song you like in a jiffy.
- AES 256-bit encryption: A military-grade encryption protocol that allows you to surf the internet anonymously. No one will be able to monitor your data, not even your ISP.
- No-logging policy: ExpressVPN does not log traffic, so no one can trace anything back to you.
- 30-day refund policy: The company will give you your money back hassle-free if you’re dissatisfied with the service.
For a full review of the brand, check out ExpressVPN Review 2019.
Other VPNs to Watch 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs
IPVanish is another provider that stands out in the VPN industry. It shares some of ExpressVPN’s traits like AES 256-bit encryption and a no-logging policy.
Also, IPVanish has over 1,200 servers in 60 countries, most of which are in the US and Europe. It offers high levels of speed, so streaming live HD matches shouldn’t be a problem.
Furthermore, the brand allows five simultaneous connections under one account, meaning you can use it on multiple devices at the same time.
Moreover, subscription fees are considered fair compared to the benefits on offer. A monthly subscription costs about $10, while the three-month package is worth $26.99. There’s also an annual plan at $77.99. But unlike ExpressVPN, IPVanish only has a 7-day refund policy.
For a full review of the brand, check out IPVanish Review 2019.
There are, however, plenty of other options to consider if you want to get a VPN. We rounded up the highest-ranked brands in the table below:
- 30-Day Money-back Guarantee
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Apps For All Your Devices
- 24/7 Live Support
2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Progress
The regular NHL season will conclude on April 6, when the last team to make the playoffs will be determined. 15 teams have already clinched their place in the final 16, which will kick off on April 10.
16 teams compete in the playoffs. Eight teams from each conference qualify based on the regular season points tally. They compete in a best-of-seven series in each round.
Games take about two months to conclude, after which the Stanley Cup Finals will take place in June. The winner of each conference reach the finals.
Qualifying Teams
The teams that have qualified thus far are:
Eastern Conference
- Boston Bruins
- Carolina Hurricanes
- New York Islanders
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Washington Capitals
Western Conference
- Calgary Flames
- Colorado Avalanche
- Dallas Stars
- Nashville Predators
- St. Louis Blues
- San Jose Sharks
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Winnipeg Jets
The final spot in the Eastern Conference will be determined on April 6.
Some Fact About the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs:
- The Tampa Bay Lightning made the playoffs as the Presidents’ Trophy winners with the most points (i.e. best record) during the regular season.
- The Carolina Hurricanes made the playoffs for the first time since 2009, ending a nine-year playoff drought.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins increased their post-season appearance streak to thirteen seasons, the current longest streak.
- The Washington Capitals are the defending champions.
Watch 2019 NHL Playoffs Anywhere with VPN
Watch 2019 NHL Playoffs Anywhere with VPN – Conclusion
The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs is one of the biggest tournaments in the hockey world. Millions of fans tune in each year to see who will make the Stanley Cup Finals. But unfortunately, those who live outside the US can have a hard time watching because the streaming channels are blocked. However, they can bypass geo-restrictions by using a VPN, and follow their favorite teams.
