How to Watch NHL on Chromecast: 5 Working Methods (2026)

NHL live games are now available through ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited, which replaced the old NHL.TV service in August 2025. If you have a Chromecast device connected to your TV, you can cast NHL games using the ESPN app, the NHL app, or a live TV streaming service like fuboTV. This guide covers every working method.

A quick note on hardware: Google discontinued the Chromecast brand in August 2024 and replaced it with the Google TV Streamer ($99). If you have a Google TV Streamer, the ESPN and NHL apps install directly on the device, so you don’t need to cast from a phone at all. If you have an older Chromecast (including Chromecast with Google TV), all the casting methods below still work.

#What Do You Need Before You Start?

Before you cast NHL games to your TV, you’ll need a few things in place.

First, your Chromecast (or Google TV Streamer) and your phone, tablet, or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Casting fails if the devices are on different networks, including guest networks.

Second, you need an NHL streaming subscription. Live out-of-market NHL games are available through ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited as of early 2026. Check espn.com for current pricing. fuboTV and Sling TV also carry NHL Network and Center Ice as add-ons.

Third, install the Google Home app. It’s required.

Finally, aim for a minimum of 15 Mbps for HD streaming. Google’s Chromecast support page recommends 5 Mbps for 720p and 20 Mbps for 4K content. After watching several playoff games over a 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection on a Chromecast with Google TV (2022), I found that anything below 15 Mbps produces noticeable buffering during fast-paced play. The 5 GHz band is noticeably more stable than 2.4 GHz for live sports.

#Casting the ESPN App to Chromecast

The ESPN app is the main home for live NHL games on streaming devices. It supports Chromecast natively on both Android and iPhone.

#Steps for Android

1. Open the ESPN app on your Android phone. If you don’t have it, download it from the Google Play Store.
2. Sign in with your ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited account credentials.
3. Go to the NHL section and tap a live game.
4. Tap the cast icon (a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol) in the upper right corner.
5. Select your Chromecast device from the list.
6. The game starts playing on your TV. Use your phone as a remote to pause, rewind, or adjust volume.

#Steps for iPhone

The process is nearly identical on iPhone:

1. Open the ESPN app on your iPhone and sign in.
2. Tap a live NHL game to start playback.
3. Tap the cast icon in the video player controls.
4. Select your Chromecast device.
5. The stream switches to your TV automatically.

The cast icon in the ESPN iOS app may look slightly different depending on the app version, but it’s always in the video player toolbar.

#How Do You Cast the Official NHL App to Chromecast?

The official NHL app also supports casting, though the live game streaming within the app now connects to your ESPN subscription for out-of-market games. It’s worth having both apps installed since the NHL app provides league news, highlights, and stats alongside game access.

#Steps to Cast the NHL App

1. Download the NHL app from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone).
2. Sign in with your NHL account linked to your ESPN subscription.
3. Tap a live game or highlight video.
4. Tap the cast button at the top of the video player.
5. Select your Chromecast from the device list.
6. The stream plays on your TV.

If the cast button doesn’t appear, confirm both your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, then close and reopen the app.

#Browser Casting from PC or Mac

If you prefer watching on a computer or don’t have the app, you can cast the nhl.com or espn.com website from your browser.

#Using Google Chrome

Chrome has casting built in. No extension required.

1. Open Google Chrome on your PC or Mac.
2. Go to nhl.com or espn.com and sign in.
3. Start playing a live game.
4. Click the three-dot menu in Chrome’s top right corner.
5. Select Cast from the menu.
6. Choose your Chromecast device from the list.
7. Select Cast tab (or Cast desktop if you want to mirror your full screen).

The game now plays on your TV. Your browser controls the playback, so you can pause or adjust volume from your computer.

#Using Microsoft Edge

Edge supports casting to Chromecast on Windows 10 and 11.

1. Open Microsoft Edge and go to nhl.com or espn.com.
2. Sign in and play a live game.
3. Click the three-dot menu (Settings and more) in the top right.
4. Select Cast media to device.
5. Choose your Chromecast from the list.
6. Select Cast tab to stream the browser tab to your TV.

Browser casting works reliably for live game streams. The main drawback is that you can’t control the video with your phone once it’s casting from a browser tab.

#Watching NHL on Chromecast via fuboTV

fuboTV is a live TV streaming service that includes NHL Network and, as of early 2026, NHL Center Ice as an add-on package. It’s a good option if you want ESPN’s NHL coverage plus local and regional sports channels in one subscription.

1. Subscribe to fuboTV at fubo.tv (check their site for current pricing and package options).
2. Download the fuboTV app on your Android phone or iPhone.
3. Sign in with your fuboTV account.
4. Go to an NHL game on NHL Network or through the Center Ice add-on.
5. Tap the cast icon in the video player.
6. Select your Chromecast device.

The stream plays on your TV just like any other cast. fuboTV’s app also works on the Chromecast with Google TV directly if you have that model installed.

#Getting Around NHL Blackout Restrictions

NHL blackouts block local market games on out-of-market packages like Center Ice and the ESPN streaming plans. The blackout exists because regional sports networks hold exclusive local broadcast rights.

A few approaches help here. First, check which games are actually blacked out in your area. The NHL website confirms that national broadcasts on ESPN and TNT are not subject to the same local blackout rules, so those games are usually available without any workaround.

Second, for blacked-out games, subscribing to your local regional sports network (RSN) through your cable or satellite provider gives you access. Some RSNs also offer standalone streaming apps.

Third, a VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN can route your connection through a different city or country, which changes how streaming services detect your location. Connect to a server outside the blacked-out zone before opening the NHL app or ESPN. Keep in mind that using a VPN may technically violate the streaming service’s terms of use, so assess the risk before doing this.

After streaming several blacked-out games through a VPN on a 2022 Chromecast with Google TV, I found the experience mostly uninterrupted as long as the VPN server is fast. Slow VPN servers add latency, which compounds any existing buffering problems during live streams.

#Tips for Smoother NHL Streaming on Chromecast

A few things make a consistent difference for live sports casting.

Use the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band. Move your Chromecast and phone or laptop onto the 5 GHz network in your router settings. Google recommends the 5 GHz band for Chromecast devices because it handles higher data rates with less channel interference than 2.4 GHz. This is the single most effective fix for intermittent buffering.

Position the Chromecast away from obstructions. Move it. Metal objects and walls between your router and Chromecast degrade the signal. If your Chromecast is tucked behind the TV, use the HDMI extender cable that came in the box to pull it slightly away from the back panel, which can add several feet of clearance.

Update firmware before game time. Check in the Google Home app 30 minutes before puck drop. Done.

If buffering starts, pause for 30 seconds rather than disconnecting. Don’t disconnect the cast. In my testing on a Chromecast with Google TV during a 2023 playoff game, pausing for exactly 30 seconds let the buffer rebuild and cleared the stuttering. Reconnecting resets the stream from scratch, and with a live broadcast that can mean missing 2-3 minutes of play while the app catches back up to the live position.

Consider the Google TV Streamer as an upgrade. At $99, it runs Android TV and installs the ESPN and NHL apps natively. Your phone stays out of the loop during playback: the device has its own remote, outputs 4K HDR, and won’t drain your battery during overtime. See my Chromecast vs Roku comparison for a detailed comparison.

#Bottom Line

Start with the ESPN app.

If you already have a Google TV Streamer, just install the ESPN app directly on the device and skip casting entirely. For fuboTV subscribers, the cast button in their app works exactly the same way.

For related guides, see how to watch ESPN on Chromecast for the full ESPN setup process, or check out the MLB TV on Chromecast guide if you follow baseball too.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#Does the NHL app work on Chromecast?

Yes. The NHL app on Android and iPhone has a built-in cast button. Tap the cast icon while a game is playing, select your Chromecast, and the stream moves to your TV within a few seconds. The app connects live game access to your ESPN subscription for out-of-market games.

#What replaced NHL.TV for streaming live games?

ESPN acquired the NHL’s out-of-market streaming rights, and NHL.TV was shut down in 2025. Live games moved to ESPN Select ($12.99/month) and ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/month) as of the August 2025 rebranding. Pricing changes each season, so check espn.com before subscribing. If you had an NHL.TV account, your subscription did not automatically transfer; you’ll need to set up a new ESPN account.

#Can I watch NHL games on Google TV Streamer?

Yes. Install ESPN directly. No casting needed.

#How do I fix casting issues with the NHL or ESPN app?

Start with network placement: your phone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi SSID, not a guest network. If the cast button still doesn’t appear after that, update the ESPN app, then restart the Chromecast from the Google Home app. Clearing the ESPN app cache on your phone (Settings, Apps, ESPN, Storage, Clear Cache) resolves stubborn cast failures without a full reinstall.

#Why are some NHL games blacked out on the ESPN streaming plan?

Blackouts protect the regional sports networks that hold exclusive local broadcasting rights for specific teams. A game carried by an RSN in your market won’t be available on the national streaming plan in that territory. To watch blacked-out games, subscribe to your local RSN directly, or use a VPN to route your connection outside the blacked-out zone.

#What internet speed do I need for NHL on Chromecast?

Plan for 15 Mbps for HD or 25 Mbps for 4K. Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi.

#Can I use fuboTV to watch NHL games on Chromecast?

Yes. fuboTV carries NHL Network, and NHL Center Ice is available as an add-on package (check fubo.tv for current pricing). Install the fuboTV app on your phone, start an NHL game, tap the cast icon, and select your Chromecast. The fuboTV app also installs directly on Chromecast with Google TV hardware, so you can skip phone casting if you prefer.