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The Audio Concierge Guide: Following the NBA & NHL Playoff Race on the Radio

April 12 @ 8:00 pm - April 19 @ 8:00 pm
A close-up photograph on a wooden desk features a black smart speaker beside a card reading "AUDIO CONCIERGE PRESENTATION: NBA & NHL PLAYOFFS, Your Guide to Live Game Radio," which includes small basketball and hockey icons and bullet points for NHL and NBA games (times vary) with clock icons. A gold thermometer and a black pen are also on the desk.

Welcome in.

If you’re looking to follow the NBA and NHL playoff race this week, you’re in the right place. You don’t need to fight with apps, brackets, or cluttered screens. Let’s set this up the right way.

Right now, both the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League are entering the most important stretch of the season. Every game matters. Seeding is on the line. Teams are either locking in their playoff position or fighting to stay alive.

And this is exactly where radio shines.

Why Radio Is the Better Way to Follow the Playoff Push

Let me explain what you’re about to experience.

On a screen, you’re watching. On the radio, you’re inside the game.

A great play-by-play announcer doesn’t assume you can see anything. They describe everything:

  • The spacing on the floor

  • The movement of the puck

  • The time left on the shot clock

  • The energy inside the arena

For visually impaired listeners, this isn’t a secondary experience. This is the full experience.

Let’s Get You Tuned In

Now, let’s make this simple.

If you’re using a smart speaker like an Echo or Sonos device, you can access live game coverage through local stations and streaming services like TuneIn.

Try this:

  • “Play my local sports station.”

  • “Play NBA basketball on TuneIn.”

  • “Play NHL hockey on TuneIn.”

If you have a specific team in mind, use their name:

  • “Play the Lakers game.”

  • “Play the Lightning game.”

Your device will usually route you to the correct live radio broadcast.

What to Listen For Tonight

Here’s what I recommend.

Find a game where something is on the line. A team fighting for playoff position. A late-season matchup with real consequences.

These are the moments where radio becomes something special. You will hear:

  • Urgency in the announcer’s voice

  • The crowd reacting before the play is fully described

  • The rhythm of the game building in real time

This is “theater of the mind” at its peak.

Your Setup Matters

If you want the best experience, use:

  • A quality smart speaker like the Amazon Echo Dot

  • Or a room-filling speaker like the Sonos Era 100

Turn the volume up just enough to feel the room. Let the announcer do the rest.

One More Thing

Don’t just check scores this week.

Sit with a game. Listen from start to finish. Let the broadcast build the picture for you. That’s something no app, no highlight clip, and no box score can replicate.

If you need help finding the right station or stream, we’ll be right here.

Until then, enjoy the game, and keep the audio accessible.

About the Author Karl Lee is the Editorial Director of Web Radio Info Inc., a Clearwater, Florida-based organization dedicated to making audio content fully accessible to the visually impaired community. Karl rigorously tests smart speakers, screen readers, and audio apps to ensure that every listener can easily find and enjoy their favorite content without ever needing to rely on a screen.

Details

  • Start: April 12 @ 8:00 pm
  • End: April 19 @ 8:00 pm

Venue