Not in our wildest dreams did we expect anything other than a pummeling from an NHL 25/26 curtain-raiser pitting back-to-back champions Florida against a Chicago side that's had the league's second-worst record three seasons running. However, with skipper Aleksander Barkov and star winger Matthew Tkachuk out for the long-term, Paul Maurice is having to recalibrate the Panthers on the fly.
You can watch Panthers vs Blackhawks live streams from anywhere with a VPN.
The Panthers vs Blackhawks game takes place on Tuesday, October 7.
► Time: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. BST / 8 a.m. AEDT (Wed.)
• U.S. — ESPN Unlimited / ESPN via Sling
• Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free
Barkov and Tkachuk were two of the Panthers' three top scorers last term, but goals alone don't do them justice. They're the team's twin anchors. Florida's squad depth is the the envy of the entire NHL, with Anton Lundell standing as a ready-made replacement for Barkov, and Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe poised to share Tkachuk's load, but can they sustain that fear factor?
Every would-be Stanley Cup contestant in the league will be watching intently for any signs of weakness. While the Blackhawks aren't the most obvious contenders to exploit any such frailties, hopes are sky-high for Connor Bedard this season, as the 2023 No.1 overall Draft pick makes his case for a slot on Canada's Olympics team.
The frustration for Hawks fans isn't just that they last reached the playoffs five years ago — it's that they haven't had the faintest glimmer of hope. The appointment of former Red Wings head coach and Lightning assistant coach Jeff Blashill provides a much-needed clean break.
Here's how to watch Panthers vs Blackhawks live streams from anywhere in the world.
How to watch Panthers vs Blackhawks from anywhere
Away from home and blocked from watching the NHL game on your usual subscription?
You can still watch your usual Panthers vs Blackhawks live streams thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software makes your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Ideal for football fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:
It's really easy to use a VPN to watch Panthers vs Blackhawks.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you want to watch your ESPN Unlimited stream of Panthers vs Blackhawks, choose 'United States' from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to ESPN Unlimited, sign in, and watch the Blackhawks vs Panthers game live.
How to watch Panthers vs Blackhawks live streams in the U.S.
NHL fans in the U.S. can watch Panthers vs Blackhawks on both ESPN and ESPN Unlimited.
However, with games also being televised on ESPN2, ABC, TBS and TNT this season, the most cost-efficient way to tune in is via one of the best cable TV alternatives.
Sling will give you the most bang for your buck. Sling Blue includes TBS and TNT, plus local network affiliates from ABC, FOX and NBC (availability varies by market). Sling Orange carries ESPN, ESPN2, TBS and TNT. Both plans start at $46/month, but you can combine them for $66/month and get 50% off your first month for the Blue plan.
ESPN simulcasts its coverage on ESPN Unlimited, which carries ESPN Select and all ESPN channels, and costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year, but for a limited time you can bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for $29.99/month for 12 months.
How to watch Panthers vs Blackhawks live streams in the U.K.
In the U.K., Panthers vs Blackhawks is available to watch on Premier Sports, which shows 15 NHL games each week. Premier Sports 2 will show the game.
A subscription costs £11.99/month if you commit to a year, or £120/year if you pay upfront, and Premier Sports holds the rights to Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, URC and Top14 rugby, La Liga and Coppa Italia soccer, and every race of the NASCAR Cup too.
Alternatively, comprehensive NHL coverage is being provided by NHL.tv on DAZN, which starts at £19.99/month or £109.99 for the season.
If you're abroad right now you can still follow your usual Panthers vs Blackhawks live stream by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
How to watch Panthers vs Blackhawks live streams in Canada
Sportsnet is showing Panthers vs Blackhawks in Canada. The game will be on Sportsnet 1.
You can stream the NHL on Sportsnet Plus, which costs CA$29.99/month CA$249.99/year for the Standard plan, and CA$42.99/month CA$349.99/year for the Premium plan.
Although Premium plan grants access to significantly more NHL games, you'll get the same number of Maple Leafs, Oilers, Canucks and Flames games whichever package you choose.
If you're outside Canada but have a subscription, you can watch Panthers vs Blackhawks with the aid of a VPN, such as NordVPN.
How to watch Panthers vs Blackhawks live streams in Australia
NHL fans in Australia can watch Panthers vs Blackhawks on ESPN via Foxtel.
Don't have Foxtel and don't want to subscribe? The game is also on Kayo Sports, with its affordable, commitment-free plans starting from just AU$30/month. Anybody who hasn't used the service before can choose between a 7-day FREE trial and 1 month for AU$1.
Alternatively, ESPN's Panthers vs Blackhawks coverage is available to live stream via Disney Plus too. A subscription starts at AU$15.99/month or AU$159.99/year.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on your account as if you were back home.
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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