SALTZMAN: Best TVs for hockey fans to enjoy playoff action

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Friends? Check. Snacks? You bet. Some cold ones? Of course.

You’re ready to host an NHL playoff night at your place – whether you’re rooting for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, or Winnipeg Jets.

Hopefully, your television delivers an exceptional viewing experience for you and your guests, as not all televisions are created equal. This is especially true when it comes to rendering fast-moving sports like hockey, basketball or football.

If you’re not sure if your existing TV is up for the task, maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

The good news? There has never been a better time, thanks to falling prices and greater selection.

Along with a big screen – the bigger the better, in my humble opinion, but your space may have limitations – you’ll want to ensure you’re choosing a television with 4K resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR) and/or Dolby Vision for better contrast, brightness and richer colours.

Wide viewing angles are a must for sports, especially if you’ve got company in your living room (or man cave or she shed).

Also important, “refresh rate” is a key consideration for viewing sports, as well as action flicks and video games.

A quick rule of thumb: the higher the number, the smother motion will be. Therefore, a 120Hz TV will handle motion better than a 60Hz model (as it’s double the usual 60-frames-per-second image). Otherwise, slower response times may result in slightly blurry trails behind a puck or ball.

The following TVs will help you get the most out of your sports-viewing experience.

Top High Brightness TV: Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV

While there are more premium picks for sports lovers with deep pockets, the Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV (model # QN90D; from $1,149) is a great pick for its brilliant display, high brightness and clean motion at 120Hz refresh rates (Samsung calls it Motion Xcelerator Turbo+, which translates to sports and games with no lag or blur).

Available in sizes up to a whopping 98 inches, this television utilizes AI to upscale any content into sharp 4K resolution, plus it automatically detects when you’re watching sports and optimizes its picture settings for the best viewing experience.

Underrated, but Samsung’s bundled free (ad-supported) streaming TV service, Samsung Streaming Plus, also houses more than 25 sports, motorsports and outdoor recreation channels – everything from The MLB Channel and TSN The Ocho to FIFA+ and UFC to PGA Tour and PickleballTV.

After the game is over and you start streaming a Hollywood blockbuster, built-in Dolby Atmos with Object Tracking Sound+ adds realistic 3D audio to the scene, tied to specific objects, such as hearing the direction of a high-speed train screeching down the tracks.

Best Big-Screen Value Pick: TCL Q6 QLED 4K Smart TV

A big-screen television doesn’t necessarily mean you need a big budget.

If you’re willing to forego some added frills, sports lovers can take home something spectacular without breaking the bank. Just be sure to review the warranty and return policy before you buy – and keep the receipt and the box, just in case.

At $799, TCL’s 65-inch Q6 QLED 4K Smart TV delivers a premium sports experience thanks to its smooth motion: 240Hz (with frame insertion) or 120Hz for gamers (with variable refresh rate) for sports-based video games, like NHL 25, Madden NFL 25 or NBA 2K25. On a related note, this TV also boasts AMD FreeSync technology, which cleverly syncs the framerate of the television with console’s graphics processor, to smooth out fast motion.

Along with wide viewing angles, this Smart TV’s display offers high brightness and support for HDR+ PRO (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and more) for better contrast, and other visible benefits.

For when your hockey buds aren’t over, there’s also Bluetooth support to synchronize with compatible headphones, earbuds, or hearing aids.

Best “Blow the Budget” TV: LG’s 83″ LG OLED evo AI C5 4K Smart TV

On the other end of the spectrum, sports lovers who take their TVs seriously have no shortage of options for making the neighbours green with envy.

LG’s 83″ LG OLED evo AI C5 4K Smart TV ($6,999) is a stunningly thin sheet of glass that mounts flush against the wall for sports, movies, TV shows and video games.

Powered by its Alpha 9 AI processor (Gen8), LG’s OLED TV delivers perfect blacks (resulting in greater depth), vibrant colours, support for HDR and Dolby Vision, and 120Hz refresh rate for smooth motion.

This Smart TV works on LG’s user-friendly webOS platform, supporting the mouse-like Magic Remote (included), along with a packed app store to customize your streaming experience; Bluetooth connectivity for optional private listening; and built-in Chromecast and AirPlay 2 to wirelessly stream content from your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Press a button on the remote to summon Alexa or Google Assistant, which gives you voice search, on-demand info, and smart home control. There’s also an “AI Concierge” which provides customized keywords and recommendations based on your search and watch history.

While you may opt for a soundbar, this TV includes downward firing speakers that deliver cloud and clear audio that filles the room, simulating an 11.1.2-channel surround sound system.

— Marc Saltzman is the host of the Tech It Out podcast and author of 17 books, including Apple Watch For Dummies (Wiley)