I've been using this service for many years now. I live in Ontario so the only games that are blacked out for me are when they play the leafs. In Europe there shouldn't be any blackouts. Those in Alberta, this isn't the service for you unless you combine it with a VPN.
In terms of quality: I have the app on my android phone, android box, chromecast, PS4 and have also watched on my computer. The quality will depend on your hardware, WiFi strength (if not plugged in) and speed from the ISP. My android box is older and so there is a slight lag that is visible. Best quality is on the PS4 I would say (I don't watch off the computer much at all - computer is probably best). I use the chromecast the most as it's on my main TV. Combine that with my google home in the same room and all controls are using voice. "OK google, fast forward 1 minute and 40 seconds on TV" gets you easily past each commercial.
In terms of delayed start, archived viewing: I never watch games live, or very rarely at least, as I'm like a child and need to be in bed by 10, plus I hate commercials. So I'll start a game 30 minutes in or later, and/or watch/finish next day. I skip all commercials and usually intermissions. There's a couple options in your settings you will want to check. Hide scores set to ON and start games from the beginning set to ON. It won't matter when you start the game, it'll always start at the beginning and you wont know the score. I've complained to NHL to remove the timeline bar when hide scores is enabled. In a 1 goal game you can see that there's 2 minutes of video time left, so obv there isn't OT coming up. PS4 has it removed. Other apps don't.
DVR controls are device dependent. I like the way the PS4 handles it the most. Using ChromeCast, once you cast from your android phone to TV, you lose the DVR controls from your phone. Voice only at that point. Silly. Plus timeline bar is exposed whenever you FFWD, RWD, PAUSE.
NHL accidentally left the 25% off coupon active from last year on their site. I managed to jump on that and pretend I was in Alberta to save on taxes. Came to $142CAD total. Cheaper than any other alternative except the 1 team option the US has.
There's non legal options that work well also. But bc of the way I watch, they wouldn't work for me. For the convenience, this is the best option.