February 2021 Update: Unfortunately the 2021 NHL Stadium Series has been postponed indefinitely.
The 2021 NHL Stadium Series will take place on Saturday, February 15, at 8 PM EST (5 PM PST/ 1 AM GMT). Despite its name, this event consists of just one game between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche. Below, we’ll let you know exactly how to stream the NHL Stadium Series live online, even if you’re abroad.
This post will only recommend official NHL broadcasters. There are almost always unauthorized live streams for major sporting events, but we strongly advise against using them. To begin with, they usually provide laggy, low-resolution video. This would be reason enough to avoid such streams, but as copyright holders regularly take down unlicensed streams before (or even during) a match, there’s no guarantee you’ll even get to see who wins. Luckily, there are several legitimate ways to watch anyway, so there’s no need to use unofficial sources.
You should note that most sports streaming platforms are geo-locked and only available in specific countries. As a result, you’ll need a VPN if you’d like to watch on your usual service while abroad.
How to watch the NHL Stadium Series 2021 live online from abroad
New to VPNs? Don’t worry: using a VPN to bypass regional restrictions and stream geo-blocked content is easy once you know how.
Here’s how to watch the NHL Stadium Series 2021 online (outside the US and Canada):
- Start by signing up for a suitable VPN. We recommend NordVPN but Surfshark and ExpressVPN are two high-quality alternatives.
- Next, download and install the app, taking care to get the appropriate version for your device.
- Once you’ve decided which of the services below you’d like to use, connect to a server in the relevant location. For example, you’d use a US server to unblock NBC or a Canadian server for Sportsnet.
- Try loading previously geo-locked content on your chosen site. It should load straight away, although you might have to clear your browser’s cookies and cache first. Once this is done, refreshing the page should fix any issues.
The Stadium Series only happens once a year, so it’s important you test your VPN with the steps above before the game actually starts. This way, you’ll still have time to get help from your VPN’s customer support team should you encounter any problems. This approach also means you’re less likely to miss the start of the game.
How to stream the NHL Stadium Series online
Despite hockey’s widespread international appeal, the 2021 NHL Stadium Series will only be broadcast in the US and Canada. Take a look below to find out where you can watch, and how to stream the event from outside of these countries.
USA
NBC is the only official Stadium Series broadcaster in the US. The good news is that if you already have a cable TV package that includes NBC, you can log in immediately and start streaming at no added cost. Don’t panic if you don’t have cable, though, since NBC is included in Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV (Blue package), and YouTube TV subscriptions.
Every one of the above services comes with a free trial (one week for Hulu and Sling TV and one month for YouTube TV). This means that it’s possible to sign up, stream the 2021 Stadium Series, and cancel before being charged. However, like NBC, these over-the-top platforms are also geo-locked and only available in the US. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, though, so you can try it risk-free, no matter where you are.
Canada
While in previous years, the Stadium Series was available free-of-charge, the only way to watch it this time around is on NHL LIVE. This service costs $29.99 CAD per month, and while there’s no trial period, you will be able to watch far more than just the Kings vs Avalanche game.
NHL LIVE is geo-restricted. This means you’ll have to either be in Canada or using a Canadian VPN server to watch from abroad.
Which team is expected to win?
On paper, the Avalanche looks sure to take this one. After all, the team has had a particularly good season, with 33 wins and 6 draws over 55 games. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings won just 20 of their 58 matches, and are currently languishing at the bottom of the Wild Card rankings.
However, there are a couple of things that could swing this match in the Kings’ favor. First, it’ll take place outdoors. This is a significant change and may just throw the Avalanche players off enough for Los Angeles to make an impact. Secondly, Nazem Kadri suffered an injury recently and will miss this game. Without their star center, Colorado will have to try twice as hard to stay one step ahead. Ultimately, whoever wins, this will be a highly memorable match, and one you won’t want to miss.
