They'll probably restrict IP's as to prevent people like me from jumping on the account of a family member or friend and watching games from areas that are out of network. No way the NHL would allow that to happen as it would become a direct competitor to NHLTV.
It's really for what you said. You can catch games while you're out somewhere without a TV, staying somewhere where there is no MSG but is still in the area, or while you're at home and someone else is using the TV.
just FYI because I came here for some details before searching myself
MSG GO is already a thing and you can access live-streamed Knicks games. I logged on using my parent's Optimum account and was able to watch the Knicks post-game from Philadelphia, so out-of-market should be fine. Has a pretty great interface, allowed me to scroll back within the last ~24 hours and watch the Knicks game and some other programming (but not much.. mostly just the Knicks game associated programming). Has a slow motion + rewind 10 seconds option. Feed was pretty high quality. Did not see a chromecast option but they have an app that may have that.
one big caveat.. can only log-in using an optimum or comcast xfinity account. no other options.
from the website:
WATCH LIVE NY KNICKS, AS WELL AS MSG NETWORKS AWARD-WINNING PROGRAMMING ON YOUR PHONE, TABLET AND COMPUTER. MSG GO IS AVAILABLE AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO SUBSCRIBERS OF PARTICIPATING TELEVISION PROVIDERS WHO RECEIVE MSG NETWORKS AS PART OF THEIR PAY TELEVISION SUBSCRIPTION. NHL GAMES ARE COMING SOON!!
as a Devils fan who is currently out of market, this is amazing news as I can dump my NHL.tv subscription.. it's pretty inexpensive but I tend to not have to watch other teams anyways so a free option is way better (granted, you do need access to someone's cable accounts in NJ/NY). It will be kind of be a direct competitor to NHL.tv but considering it will only be for a few select teams and will not be something you can just subscribe to without an existing cable account.. not sure it will be much of a competitor. It will only be a switch for the people who are out of market but still have ties in-market. I also think Fox regional channels have something similar going on.