NHL Betting

By Jake Patel & others on
State Licensed State Licensed
Expertly Reviewed Expertly Reviewed
Mobile Friendly Mobile Friendly
Fast Withdrawals Fast Withdrawals
Betting Sites Score New Customer Offer Expert Review Go To Site & Sign Up Sports iOS App Android App Terms
1. Bet MGM
90%
Risk free first bet up to $1,000

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"With a variety of banking options, promotional offers and an extensive selection of markets, BetMGM is one of the nation’s stand out sportsbook operators. "
Claim Bonus
14
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Place a bet of $5 or more as your first wager with BetMGM. Receive $150 in Bonus Bets, regardless of your wager’s outcome. Use your Bonus Bets on any sport. You must deposit $10 or more to place a wager. A Bonus Bet can only be used once, is not included in any winnings, and is subject to loss if the bet placed with such credit does not win. A Bonus Bet must be used within seven (7) days of being credited to your account. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
2. Draftkings
81%
Get Up To $1000 Bonus

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"The premier fantasy sports operator has the best mobile sportsbook app out there, offering a smooth and seamless experience no matter where you're located "
Claim Bonus
10
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer A customer's first deposit (min. $5) qualifies the user to receive up to $1,000 in bonus funds in the form of site credits that can only be used on DraftKings. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of that deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000 (the customer must deposit $5,000 to be eligible to receive the maximum possible bonus amount of $1,000). Bonus funds will be awarded to the user according to the following play-through requirement: for every $25 played on DraftKings in DFS/Sportsbook/Casino, the user will receive $1 in bonus funds released into their customer account 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
3. Fanduel
93%
Bet $5 Get $150

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"Bet with Fan Duel for some of the best promos available online - you can place same game parlays, and take part in weekly competitions like NFL Gridiron Pick'em"
Claim Bonus
16
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer 21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
4. Pointsbet
74%
Up To $500 in Bonus Bets

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"Pointsbet is home to a bunch of parlay specials - same game parlays, in-play parlays and parlay booster. Plus, no rollover requirements on free bets."
Claim Bonus
17
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Get up to five $100 Bonus Bets with PointsBet’s Second Chance! “Second Chance” means that if any of your first 5 cash bets (first bet per day for 5 consecutive days) on a Fixed Odds market loses, you will receive Bonus Bet(s) in the amount of the losing wager(s), up to $100 each. Your Second Chances start the day you place your first cash bet (e.g., if you open an Account on Monday and place your first cash bet on Tuesday, you are eligible for a Second Chance each day Tuesday through Saturday that same week). If your first Fixed Odds cash bet of the day wins, you are not eligible for the Bonus Bet. If you do not place a bet during any of those 5 days, you will lose the Second Chance opportunity for that day(s), and your Second Chance opportunity will not be extended beyond the 5th day. Offer not available in all states. See below for more details. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
5. Bet Rivers
86%
$500 Second Chance Free Bet

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"Bet on a huge range of sports with Bet Rivers - there are over 15 to choose from including all the major leagues, European sport and NCAA tournaments"
Claim Bonus
18
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Must be 21+ and physically present in U.S. Payout on Free Bet wagers includes profits only(stake not returned). T&Cs apply. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
6. Caesars
70%
100% Up To $1250

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"Sign up to Caesars and get Caesars Rewards for wagering on sports through the mobile app - you can even cash them in at one of the brick and mortar casinos."
Claim Bonus
16
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer NY only. 21+. New users and first $10+ wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bonus bet $1,250; must be used within 14 days of receipt. Tier Credits and Reward Credits will be added to account within 7 days after qualifying wager settles. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Read More 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
7. Fox Bet
75%
Up To $50 Free Bet

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"Sign up with Fox Bet to join the Stars Rewards loyalty program and receive a variety of rewards, from free bets to game tickets. Every week Fox Bet offers a “Thursday’s Can’t Lose” bet where bettors can receive up to $25 back in free bets if the promoted bet loses."
Claim Bonus
10
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer New Player Sign up Bonus – Opt-in & place your first bet and if it loses, we'll refund it as a free bet up to $50. Minimum odds of -200 apply. Register and verify your account for real money. Click on the View Challenge button above and hit the Opt-in button before placing your first bet within the first 7-days of creating your account. After Opting-in, place your first real money bet within 7-days and if it loses, we'll refund it as a free bet up to $50. (Minimum odds of -200 apply) Refunds on your losing bet will be credited as a free bet after the qualifying bet settles. Free bet will expire 7-days after issuance. This offer applies to sports wagering only. FOX Bet customers only. Customers who have registered through PokerStars or PokerStars Casino are not eligible. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
8. Barstool
84%
Up to $1000 Risk Free Bet

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"Barstool's sportsbook combines its flair for entertainment and comedy to create a one of a kind betting experience. Take advantage of unique offers and promotions and bet on great range of markets."
Claim Bonus
18
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Make your first ever cash deposit. Then, place any single wager on your betslip (ex. one parlay bet or one straight bet). If that bet wins, you will not receive any bonus cash. If that bet loses, you will receive a refund in bonus cash equal to the amount wagered (up to $1,000). 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
+ Load 5 More betting sites
🏆 Best Overall Score:
93%
🎁 Largest Free Bet:
$1250
🤝 Highest Deposit Match:
100%
💵 Minimum Deposit:
$5
bg
Tried our
Bookie Finder?
5 questions 30 seconds 1 ideal bookie

Hockey is one of America’s most popular sports, offering up plenty of betting opportunities at US sportsbooks. The National Hockey League (NHL) is the professional US hockey league, made up of 31 teams, 24 of which are based in the US and 7 in Canada. Since the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), hockey fans can place wagers on the sport. Betting on hockey can be a daunting task, especially for new bettors, but that’s where we come in. Here at Compare.bet, we have everything you need to know about betting on hockey, from where you can place your bets to a breakdown of the biggest betting opportunities on the hockey betting calendar.

We’ve got a line up of the best sports betting sites available to punters in the Garden State. Compare our expert reviews, scores and the bonuses on offer to pick out the bookie that suits you best. All of our featured sportsbooks are legal and regulated in the state of New Jersey. All that’s left for you to do is make your pick, sign up and start betting.

Short Reviews of the Best NHL Betting Sites

Read through these short reviews of some of the best NHL betting sites around and then click through to read the full write ups.

  • For NHL fans, BetMGM is definitely a site I recommend you check out. To begin with, there’s the choice to break down hockey events by country and when it comes to the NHL there’s a great selection of odds, such as Stanley Cup winner, in-play betting opportunities as well as live streaming. Unlike most leading betting sites there aren’t many promotions available, except for the MGM Rewards which see you potentially winning exclusive sporting event tickets, Vegas discounts and more. For more convenient betting, I was impressed with the BetMGM app which is downloadable to both iOS and Android devices – it’s certainly worth doing if you like to bet on the go. 

    pros icon Pros:
    • Live streaming of sporting events
    • 24/7 customer service support
    • Decent range of payment methods supported
    cons icon Cons:
    • No regular promotions outside of MGM Rewards scheme.
  • The Borgata site design is one of my favorites – the sports listings are displayed clearly but on top of that you have icons representing sports markets plus a selection of mini games available, casino games, live casino, poker and bingo. Newly registered NHL betting fans can pick up a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 plus $20 extra added to your account. This sounds like a wildly generous promotion however be sure to read through the terms and conditions carefully – they contain stipulations like a three day limit on the $20 betting bonus. Nevertheless, this is a great site with a clean layout, and great options for NHL betting odds.

    pros icon Pros:
    • Great site layout that’s easy to navigate.
    • Live streaming all the top sports
    • Wide selection of promotions across both sports betting and casino offerings
    cons icon Cons:
    • Short time limits attached to welcome bonus offer - for example only 7 days to complete wagering requirements
  • As one of the leading sportsbooks, it’s fair to say that everyone has heard of DraftKings. New customers are offered a free $150 bonus bet when you bet $5 of your own cash plus there’s a huge selection of promotions available for existing customers, including profit boosts, free bets and a refer a friend scheme. In terms of NHL betting, I was particularly impressed with the week by week layout of available odds. This isn’t something you see on all sportsbooks but is a helpful and easy to navigate method of displaying all available options for each upcoming match.

    pros icon Pros:
    • Ease at which you can find and interpret all available NHL betting odds
    • Great downloadable app for both iOS and Android users
    • Wide range of promotions
    cons icon Cons:
    • Withdrawals can be a little slow
How We Review

How We Review NHL Betting Sites

When looking to find the best NHL betting site, priorities generally vary from person to person. However, our reviews follow a strict checklist criteria of the aspects of a betting site we find most important. Here’s a breakdown of just what we look for. 

Licensing

We will only ever review or recommend a site that holds a relevant state license. No license? The review ends straight away. Licensing allows a bettor to feel confident that the site is operating clearly and that their personal data is protected. Never bet via an unlicensed site as you can’t be sure of how your details are being used or whether betting odds or promotions are legitimate.

Variety of Sports

Even if your primary focus is betting on NHL matches, you’ll sometimes want to vary things up a little and this is where it’s important a site offers betting odds for a decent range of sports. The likes of football, hockey and soccer are pretty much always present but it’s nice when there’s a few niche sports on the selection list such as squash or badminton.

Promotional Offers

Welcome offers are a standard expectation at the best NHL betting sites – matched deposit or a few free bets are usually on the cards. Going that extra mile in providing some regularly updated promotions including boosted odds, free bets and loyalty schemes for existing customers is always going to win our favor.  

Mobile Capabilities

All of the best NHL betting sites are designed with mobile bettors in mind and as such are created with a technology that adapts to size when logged into via a cell phone or portable device. Taking it one step further, we’re always impressed when a bookies provides a native app to customers, meaning you can place bets, check odds and even receive app-specific bonuses with ease.

Payment Methods Supported

While most bettors still favor debit card options through Visa and Mastercard, there is a huge wave of digital payment methods becoming popular in the betting industry. Many sites are catching on to this and supporting a range of options including e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill, prepaid cards such as Paysafecard and others including Trustly which uses an Open Banking method of transaction. 

Customer Service

We expect the best NHL betting sites to provide a range of communication channels for their customers, including live chat, a telephone number, email and social media handles. It’s becoming more common that at least one of these is available 24/7 so this is something we look out for during our review.  

 

Legality

US States with Legal Hockey Betting

Despite the PASPA repeal, hockey betting is not yet legal in every state. Click on your state to see what rule are currently in place:

City skyline New Jersey
New Jersey
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Hernando de Soto Bridge, Memphis, Tennessee USA
Tennessee
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Downtown Skyline and Palm Trees in Foreground, Los Angeles
California
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Philadelphia Downtown Skyline, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Downtown with City Park, Denver, Colorado
Colorado
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Downtown skyline from Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois USA
Illinois
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Arkansas Capitol Building
Arkansas
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Downtown Skyline Hartford Connecticut USA
Connecticut
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline along the Riverfront at night along the Christiana River Wilmington Delaware
Delaware
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Florida Capitol Building
Florida
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Downtown skyline Atlanta Georgia USA
Georgia
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Downtown skyline with Sentinel Peak at dusk Tucson Arizona USA
Arizona
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Creek Street the historic broadwalk Ketchikan Alaska
Alaska
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Downtown city skyline Birmingham Alabama USA
Alabama
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline of Honolulu Diamond Head volcano including the hotels and buildings on Waikiki Beach
Hawaii
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Boise cityscape at night with traffic light
Idaho
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline over Monument Circle Indianapolis Indiana USA
Indiana
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
State Capitol in Des Moines Iowa USA
Iowa
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Kansas State Capital Building in Topeka Kansas at Night
Kansas
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline on the river Louisville Kentucky USA
Kentucky
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Downtown Shreveport Skyline Louisiana USA
Louisiana
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
The Maine State House in Augusta Maine USA
Maine
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Historic Skyline at dusk Boston Massachusetts USA
Massachusetts
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline at the Inner-Harbo Baltimore Maryland USA
Maryland
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Downtown skyline from above at dusk Detroit Michigan USA
Michigan
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Capitol building in-St. Paul Minnesota USA
Minnesota
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline over the Capitol Building Jackson Mississippi USA
Mississippi
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Historic columns at twilight Columbia Missouri USA
Missouri
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
State Capitol Building with Thomas Francis Meagher staue Montana USA
Montana
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
State Capital Building in Lincoln Nebraska USA
Nebraska
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Las Vegas Nevada USA
Nevada
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
New Hampshire Capitol Building
New Hampshire
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Albuquerque New Mexico
New Mexico
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
New York USA Skyline
New York
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Charlotte North Carolina USA uptown skyline
North Carolina
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
State Capital Bismarck North Dakota USA
North Dakota
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline on the river at dusk Columbus Ohio USA
Ohio
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline of Oklahoma USA
Oklahoma
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline at dusk with Mt. Hood in the distance Portland Oregon USA
Oregon
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Park and skyline Providence Rhode Island USA
Rhode Island
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Historical downtown area of Charleston South Carolina USA at twilight
South Carolina
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Facade of South Dakota Capital Building in Pierre USA
South Dakota
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
State Capitol Building Austin Texas
Texas
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline Utah at night Salt Lake City
Utah
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Church Street Marketplace Burlington Vermont USA
Vermont
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
State Capitol in Richmond Virginia USA
Virginia
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Gorgeous Landscape Mountains on Mount Baker Washington
Washington
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Skyline on the Kanawha River Charleston West Virginia USA
West Virginia
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
State capitol building at dusk Madison Wisconsin USA
Wisconsin
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
Wyoming Welcome Sign
Wyoming
Mobile Online Local
Legal
Pending launch
Partial law
Legislation introduced
No action
NHL Betting Explained

Guide to NHL Betting

The NHL is the biggest and most famous hockey league in the world so naturally, it’s often the main hockey league of choice for punters to place wagers on. As with most sports, you’ll find a variety of ways in which bets can be placed on each game, so read through our review of the best hockey betting sites and see which suits your requirements. 

Let’s first look at the NHL in more detail.

  • Overall, there are 32 teams across two conferences Eastern and Western and four divisions: Pacific, Atlantic, Metropolitan, and Central. 
  • During the course of a season, each team plays 82 matches before the top 16 progress through to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
  • The season runs from October until the end of April, with the playoffs beginning after the NHL conclusion date in April. The 2023 Stanley Cup was won by Vegas Golden Knights, following their victory over Eastern Conference winners Florida Panthers. 

When it comes to hockey betting sites, there will be a variety of betting markets to choose from. As we always recommend, it’s important to stay within the parameters of regulated, licensed sites, such as the best hockey betting sites reviewed by Compare.bet. 

NHL Teams

NHL teams are split by conference and division as a way of managing scheduling and playoff seeding. It also creates a strong rivalry between members of each division. 25 of the 32 teams that comprise the NHL are from the US, and the remaining seven from Canada. So it’s a league that not only pits cities, states and regions against each other, but countries too.  

Eastern and Western Conference 

There are four divisions within the Eastern and Western Conferences: the Pacific, Atlantic, Metropolitan, and Central division. At the end of the 2022–23 season, this is how the top of the Eastern Metropolitan Division and Western Central Divisions looked. 

Eastern Metropolitan Division Top Five

Metropolitan GP W L OT PTS
Carolina 82 52 21 9 113
New Jersey Devils 82 52 22 8 112
New York Rangers 82 47 22 13 107
NY Islanders 82 42 31 9 93
Pittsburgh Penguins 82 40 31 11 91

Western Central Division Top Five

Central GP W L OT PTS
Colorado Avalanche 82 51 24 7 109
Dallas Stars 82 47 21 114 108
Minnesota Wild 82 46 25 11 103
Winnipeg Jets 82 46 33 3 95
Nashville Predators 82 42 32 8 92
NHL Calendar

Major Hockey Events

Hockey may not be as popular football or basketball, but that doesn’t mean punters are limited in their betting opportunities.. Alongside the NHL is the American Hockey League (AHL), serving as the developmental league for the NHL. A total of 1,271 games are scheduled for the regular NHL season, which runs from early October through early April, making for plenty of exciting hockey action. But what are the big hockey events that sports bettors can take a punt on? Here is a quick rundown of the biggest hockey events to bet on.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

At the end of the regular NHL season, 16 teams qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. These 16 teams are made up of eight teams from the Western Conference and eight from the Eastern Conference. The playoffs are essentially an elimination tournament in which teams compete to enter the Stanley Cup Final.

The Stanley Cup playoffs work differently to the playoffs in other major league sports. Once the bracket has been finalized, teams compete in a best-of-seven series to advance to the next stage of the bracket. As there could be up to 98 games during the playoffs, there are plenty of betting opportunities.

Stanley Cup Final

The two teams that come out on top of the Stanley Cup playoffs face-off in the Stanley Cup Final for the most coveted prize in the NHL: the Stanley Cup. The Stanley Cup, originally commissioned in 1892 as the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports league. This is the most popular event in the hockey calendar and is full of betting potential as both teams will have to compete in multiple games before a winner is decided.

NHL All-Star Game

The NHL All-Star game is usually held during the regular season and sees the star players in the league face off against each other. Fans vote online to select the captains of four different divisions and the player with the most votes captains for that division. From there, the NHL hockey operations department selects the remaining 40 players for a total of 44 all-star players. The proceeds from this event go towards the players’ pension fund. As the players are mixed and placed in different teams that wouldn’t normally play together, this event is incredibly popular and is a must watch for hockey fans and bettors alike.

NHL Odds

Hockey Betting Odds

Before betting on a hockey match, it is essential that you understand how betting odds work. While the majority of US sports betting sites display odds in the American format, you might also see them displayed as a fraction or in a decimal format. Check out our how to read odds guide for an in-depth look at betting odds.

Odds are essentially a sportsbook’s prediction of what could happen during a hockey game. These can help you to predict what would make a winning bet, but betting on the favourite doesn’t guarantee you a profit. Hockey odds can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook so it’s best to shop around to find the best odds for your chosen market.

Here’s a real-world example of hockey odds:

In a regular NHL season game between the EDM Oilers and BUF Sabres, a sportsbook could set odds of +110 for the Oilers to win. If you were to make a $100 bet on the Oilers to win, you would see a return of $210 if they were victorious. You will win back your initial $100 wager, as well as $110 for the successful bet. When it comes to negative odds, a successful $100 bet on the Sabres winning at odds of -110, would net you your initial $100 wager, along with a with a modest profit of $90.91.

Picking a Winner

Which NHL Team Should I Bet On?

As with all types of sports betting, there is no such thing as a guaranteed winner when it comes to betting on hockey. While a sportsbook’s hockey betting odds can give you an idea of the favourite team to win, the odds aren’t a failsafe prediction of the result. Although you can take hockey betting tips from tipsters, your best bet is doing plenty of your own research to help you make an educated wager.

Spend time checking out statistics and figures, which can be found on the official NHL statistics page, before placing a bet. Here, the league breaks down various stats such as points per game, penalty goals and team milestones. Not only can you check out a team’s stats, but you can also focus on one specific player and get a snapshot of their performance over time. This is especially helpful when it comes to placing prop bets.

2023–24 NHL Season Odds

One of the most popular NHL betting lines is for futures bets, where punters make predictions on a team to win a particular competition. For the NHL, this can involve betting on the winners of each division, conference and then the Stanley Cup, which is awarded to the NHL playoff champion each year.

For the 2023–24 season, at the time of writing, the favorites among many sportsbooks to win the Western Conference and Central Division is Colorado Avalanche who are guided by coach Jared Bednar who has signed a new contract retaining him at the club til the end of the 2026-27 season. They were champions in 2022 so are going to be tough to beat. Following in their heels are the likes of Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings.   

Over in the Eastern Conference, favorites currently stand as Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes.

So, who are the teams most likely to go all the way and win the Stanley Cup final? Naturally, it’s the same teams looking to finish at the top of their conference divisions. Colorado Avalanche have previously won the Stanley Cup three times and are front runners for the 2024 trophy; Boston Bruins have bagged it once; while the Vegas Golden Knights will be looking to win it for the first time since their formation in 2017. 

NHL Players to Watch

As well as betting on which teams you think will progress through the play offs, you can also pick out individual players to perform well. These are known as player-specific proposition bets — you can bet on which player will score the most goals, have the most time on ice per game, score the most power play goals and assists, and much more. Prop bets are available for both the full season and for individual matches.

Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid packed in 64 goals during the 2022-23 season so he’s certainly one to watch out for. However there’s also top scorers like Bo Horvat of the Vancouver Canucks who bagged 79 goals across the season. As for the top assist-makers, Nathan Mackinnon of the Avs got off to the best start to the season with 20 assists in 15 matches.

NHL Bet Types

Hockey Betting Markets

In the US states where sports betting is legal, the best sportsbooks offer a wide selection of hockey betting markets. Straight-up bets on which team will win a particular match are the most popular, but you can also make lots of other calls on specific elements of each match. Check out the range of NHL betting lines available at the top sportsbooks below.

Match Winner

This is a straight bet on the team you back to win an individual game in the season and can be made on both NHL and AHL hockey games. Vancouver Canucks fans may back their team to beat the Los Angeles Kings, for example.

Outright Winner

Another straight bet, but this is on the team you believe will win an overall tournament, such as the Stanley Cup. Those looking for an underdog could bet on the Florida Panthers to win the cup for the first time.

Over/Under

Over/Under bets involve wagering on whether a hockey team will finish the game with more or fewer goals than a specified number. These markets are usually offered as ‘Total Goals’ at US sportsbooks.

Spread Betting

Spread betting is known as the puck line in hockey, similar to the run line in baseball. These bets are based on a spread of 1.5. Negative points (-1.5) are for the favorites, while a positive spread is for the underdog (+1.5). This evens the playing field and means that you can get the same odds for each team. To win the bet, the favorite would need to win by a margin of two goals to overcome the 1.5 spread.

Here’s an example. Let’s say the LA Kings are taking on the VAN Canucks. VAN Canucks were the favorites with a puck line of -1.5, with LA Kings as the underdogs with a puck line of +1.5. For a bet on the Canucks to come off, they’d need to win by two goals or more. If the Kings lose by just one goal, draw, or win the match, those who backed them would win their bet.

Proposition Bets

Proposition bets, or prop bets, focus on the composition of the game, rather than the overall outcome. These bets might include ‘which team will score the most penalties’, or ‘how many goals will be scored in the first period?’ but can cover a range of different possibilities. There are also player prop bets — for example, you could back Washington Capitals’ forward Evgeny Kuznetsov to get an assist in an upcoming match.

Parlays

A parlay wager is a single bet consisting of multiple different selections. This means you can increase your potential payout by betting on multiple teams at the same time. However, in order to win a parlay bet, all of the selections have to be successful. The maximum number of picks in a parlay varies between sportsbooks, with some allowing up to 20.

Here’s an example of a three-game moneyline parlay bet:

  • Montreal Canadiens to win +160
  • New York Rangers to win -137
  • Vancouver Canucks to win +155
  • Parlay odds +1169
  • $100 stake returns £1169 profit

Grand Salami Betting

Grand salami betting gives hockey fans the opportunity to place a bet that covers the scores for all hockey games played on a single day. There might be seven NHL games scheduled for Saturday, on which bettors must estimate the total number of goals across all seven games. Bettors must then decide if that will be over or under the number set by the sportsbook. Think of it as higher stakes over/under wagering.

League Bets

Just as it sounds, a league bet is simply a wager on who will win a particular division of the NHL. For example, you could back the BOS Bruins to win the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Totals Bet

Here you’re betting on the total number of goals there’ll be in a hockey match. The oddsmakers will set a number and bettors will predict whether the total number of goals will be higher or lower than this number. For example, you may bet on the Hurricanes and the Rangers game to have under ten goals. The actual score is irrelevant but to win, the total must not exceed nine goals.

Features

Features of NHL Betting Sites

The best NHL betting sites offer a wide array of features to enhance your betting experience. Here are some of the best features we recommend using.

Live Betting

Many bettors like to make their predictions before a match starts, or stick to NHL futures bets on upcoming events. However, another option is to place your bets while the match is ongoing. Live betting is an exciting way to get involved, allowing fans to adjust their predictions in real time in response to the match. You can also place bets on specific elements of the game that will be completed before the match is over, such as how many goals there’ll be in the next period.

Early Cash Out

During a game of ice hockey, NHL betting sites may offer you a cash out amount that you can take and close your bet early. There are several reasons why you might want to do this. For example, if you’ve backed a team that’s currently losing, you may wish to cut your losses and avoid losing your whole stake. Conversely, if your bet looks like it’s going to come in but you’d rather not see out the last agonizing minutes — potentially missing out to a last minute goal — you can take a reduced profit and call it a day.

Bet Builder

Bet builders allow you to combine multiple selections from the same match into one bet. Similar to a parlay, which combines markets from a mixture of different games, a bet builder acts as a single bet with one set of odds. Get started by clicking into an NHL game — if the bet builder function is available it’ll be listed as one of the tabs. From there, you can browse the bet builder markets and put your choices together in the betslip.

Live Streaming

Live streaming enhances the live betting experience further by giving you the option to actually watch the game you’re betting on. This not only increases the excitement, but can allow you to make better-informed predictions on what’s going to happen next in a particular ice hockey match.

Other Sports

Other Sports at Hockey Betting Sites

At the best hockey betting sites, you’ll also find a range of other popular sports with which you can place a wager. As with NHL betting, there will be a range of betting markets and odds to choose from. Read carefully through the details on your chosen betting site before placing a bet. 

Let’s take a look at some of the sports you may find on hockey betting sites. 

American Football

Similar to the NHL, the NFL, America’s National Football League, contains 32 teams. NFL betting is now legal in several US states, adding extra excitement to the nation’s biggest sport. Alongside the NFL, there is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) which fields the highest level of college football players in the country.

Basketball

Standing as one of the most popular sports in the world, it is now legal to bet on basketball matches in several US states. This means that fans can place bets on major basketball events such as the NBA finals, which is the concluding point of the most famous basketball league in the world. As with all sports, there are a range of markets and betting types to choose from such as an NBA moneyline bet, or an NBA totals over/under.

Baseball

Another well loved sport in the US is baseball, with the main focus on Major League Baseball (MLB). Hosting 30 teams in total and with a season that runs from April until November, you’ll have plenty of time to check through the betting guides and place a wager on your favorite teams. Have a look through our baseball betting guides and be sure to read up on all terms and conditions before registering to bet.

Tennis

An internationally loved sport with the men’s competition coming primarily from the ATP and the women’s through the LTA. There are dozens of betting types that can be placed on tennis, such as simple match betting, or a more complex handicap bet where you wager on the performance of a player against their expected outcome. This type of bet requires a decent knowledge of the game and adds a real layer of intrigue.

Golf

Aside from the US Open in June this year, there’s a whole host of international golfing tournaments that offer betting opportunities. Take a look through our review of golf betting sites and see which events and betting markets particularly take your fancy.

Horse Racing 

Historically, horse racing is one of the betting world’s most popular sports, with an international racing schedule that’s full of gambling opportunities. Back in 1978, the Interstate Horse Racing Act was passed, enhancing the potential of the sport and allowing people to place wagers on off-track horse races across the country. Since then the world of horse racing has developed to include a unique betting market that provides additional entertainment to race track viewers.

Bonus Offers

Bonus Offers at NHL Betting Sites

As well as providing a great range of features for hockey betting, the top NHL sportsbooks also offer a great range of bonuses for new and existing customers. Check out some of the most common bonus offers at NHL betting sites below.

Free Bets

Free bets are easy to use and a great way to have a risk-free shot at hockey betting. They’re set to a particular value, for example $5, and you’ll keep the profit if you win but usually not the stake itself — you can think of it as a free token. Free bets are often available as part of NHL betting sites’ welcome offers, but you can also pick them up as an existing customer for big matches.

Matched Deposit

A matched deposit is another common new customer offer at NHL betting sites. When you make your first qualifying deposit, you’ll be able to claim a percentage of bonus credit up to a set amount. For example, a 100% deposit match on a $40 deposit would effectively double your money, giving you $40 of bonus credit to bet with. If the maximum bonus is $100 and you deposit $110, you’ll still just receive $100 in bonus credit, rather than your deposit being doubled.

Bet Refunds

An alternative to a free bet is a bet refund offer, also known as a risk-free bet. Here you’ll be making a real money wager on NHL betting lines, but you’ll receive your stake back if you lose. With some risk-free bets, you’ll get your stake back as a free bet, while others may give it back to you as withdrawable cash. Bet refunds are therefore a type of betting insurance, and a great way to try your luck on a new sport.

Banking Options

Payment Methods at NHL Betting Sites

To get yourself ready for NHL betting, you’ll need to deposit funds into your sportsbook account. The best sites offer a range of different deposit options, as well as different methods for withdrawing your cash later. Here are some of the most common payment methods at NHL betting sites.

PayPal Logo
e-Wallets

e-Wallets like PayPal, Neteller and Skrill offer many benefits for US sports bettors. They offer instant deposits and fast withdrawals that are completed within 1–2 days, so you won’t have to wait around too long for your cash. Digital wallets also save you having to share your bank details — you can just log in with your email and password instead. On the flip side, be sure to check the terms and conditions of any bonus offers, as e-wallets are often excluded when making qualifying deposits.

Visa Logo
Debit Cards

If you don’t fancy creating any new accounts, debit cards are a safe way to go. Although entering your card details the first time isn’t always the quickest process, once your details are saved your future deposits will be taken care of in an instant. Withdrawals are on the slower side — often taking up to five days — but if that’s not a problem for you there are no other major drawbacks.

Trustly Logo
Trustly

Trustly is a great alternative if you want to use your bank account for deposits and withdrawals but would rather not share your card details. This payment service uses Open Banking technology to connect your bank with your chosen NHL betting site. To make the payment, you’ll be taken to Trustly’s secure portal, where you’ll then log in to your bank using your account details or with two-factor authentication. Withdrawals are often instant once the betting site has completed its internal processing, making Trustly a solid upgrade from using your bank card.

Paysafe card Logo
Paysafecard

If you’re happy topping up your betting account with small amounts at a time, Paysafecard’s prepaid vouchers are a great alternative. Bettors can purchase these in stores in different amounts and then use them to add funds to their sportsbook account. All you’ll need is the 16-digit PIN found on the card, so it’s a highly secure way to pay and a good way to keep track of your spending. The main disadvantage is that Paysafecard generally can’t be used for withdrawals, so you’ll need to use an alternative payment method for that step.

Mobile

Mobile Hockey Betting

Thanks to developments in recent years, mobile hockey betting is now legal in multiple states. This allows residents and visitors to these states to place sports bets from anywhere within state lines. Mobile sports betting is available in:

  • Arizona
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • Wyoming

In these states, residents and visitors can use mobile apps or online betting platforms to wager on hockey from the comfort of your home. In these states, mobile sports betting apps are usually available for both Android and iOS devices. It is also worth noting that online odds and offers can differ from those offered a land-based retail sportsbook.

However, it is important that you are aware of the state-specific gambling laws before choosing a sportsbook, as the sign-up process can differ from state to state. For instance, in Nevada, you will need to visit a land-based sportsbook to verify your identity and register your account, before you can place a bet online via a mobile betting app.

For more information when it comes to picking the sports betting app that’s right for you, check out our mobile betting apps guide.

New Jersey

Online Hockey Betting in New Jersey

Sportsbook Website iOS App Android App
888Sport NJ us.888sport.com Yes Yes
BetStars NJ BetStarsNJ.com Yes Yes
Caesars Sportsbook caesarscasino.com/sports Yes Yes
DraftKings Sportsbook draftkings.com/sportsbook Yes Yes
FanDuel Sportsbook sportsbook.fanduel.com/sports Yes Yes
PlayMGM nj.playmgm.com/en/p/sports Yes Yes
PointsBet pointsbet.com Yes Yes
SugarHouse Sportsbook playsugarhouse.com Yes Yes
William Hill Sportsbook nj.us.williamhill.com Yes Yes
Hard Rock Atlantic City hardrockcasino.com/sportsbook Yes Yes
Golden Nugget nj-casino.goldennuggetcasino.com/sports Yes Yes
BetAmerica nj.betamerica.com/sports Yes Yes
Resorts resortscasino.com/sports Yes Yes
Nevada

Online Hockey Betting in Nevada

Sportsbook app Operator iOS Android Where can I sign up?
B-Connected (Sports and Horses) Boyd Gaming Yes Yes Cannery, The California, Suncoast, Sam’s Town, The Orleans, Gold Coast, Fremont, Main Street, Jokers Wild, Eldorado, Eastside Cannery
Caesars Caesars Entertainment Yes Yes Planet Hollywood, Bally’s, Paris, The Cromwell, Flamingo, The LINQ, Rio, Caesar’s Palace, Harrah’s
Golden Nugget Golden Nugget Yes Yes Golden Nugget Laughlin, Golden Nugget Las Vegas
PlayMGM MGM Resorts International Yes Yes Aria, Bellagio, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Mandalay Bay
NV Sports South Point Casino Yes Yes South Point Casino, Rampart Casino
CG Sports CG Technology Yes Yes Cosmopolitan, Hard Rock, The Venetian, The Palazzo, The M, Palms, Tropicana, Silverton
Station Casinos Station Casinos Yes Yes El Cortez, Fiesta Henderson, Fiesta Rancho, Greer’s, Barley’s Casino, Wild Wild West, Wildfire Casinos, Red Rock, Green Valley Ranch, Sunset Station, Texas Station, Boulder Station, Palace Station, Santa Fe Station
TI Mobile Sports Treasure Island Yes Yes Treasure Island
Westgate Superbook Westgate Las Vegas Yes Yes Westgate Las Vegas Casino SuperBook
Wynn Wynn Resorts Yes Yes Wynn Las Vegas
William Hill William Hill US Yes Yes The DSLS, Hooters, Plaza, Downtown Grand, Tuscany, Binion’s, Four Queens, Ellis Island, Silver Sevens
West Virginia

Online Hockey Betting in West Virginia

Sportsbook Website iOS app Android App
BetLucky betlucky.com Yes Yes

 

Always Gamble Responsibly

Always Gamble Responsibly at NHL Betting Sites

With so many different markets and bonuses available at NHL betting sites, it’s easy to get carried away. That’s why it’s so important to follow responsible gambling guidelines and keep your gambling activities casual and fun. Below are some warning signs to stay mindful of, and a list of betting tips you should adhere to if you think your gambling is starting to become a problem:

Warning signs of problem gambling:

  • An increased preoccupation with gambling
  • Becoming irritable when not able to gamble
  • Chasing losses
  • Feeling the need to gamble more money to reach the same level of excitement as before
  • Lying about gambling habits
  • Stealing or borrowing money for gambling
  • Negative impacts on other areas of life, such as your professional or social life

Tips:

  • Unsubscribe from promotional material from gambling sites
  • Set up time-outs to limit your time spent on gambling sites
  • Set up deposit and loss limits to help control your spending
  • Use self-exclusion tools for set periods of time if you feel you need to stop gambling entirely

Responsible Gambling Organizations

If you’re worried about your gambling habits, always remember that you’re not alone and the first step to receiving help is to share your problems with someone. There are many resources out there to help if you or one of your loved ones need support. You can start by checking out our problem gambling page here at Compare.bet. For further resources, see the following:

  • The National Council on Problem Gambling – the oldest organization on gambling issues in the US. Offers a 24-hour confidential helpline and live chat
  • Local Support – the National Council also has a page dedicated to signposting local support for residents in each state
  • Gamblers Anonymous – a fellowship of people who share their experiences and support each other
  • Gam-Anon – a self-help organization for the loved ones of compulsive gamblers
  • GamTalk – a 24/7-moderated online peer support forum
Sign Up

Get Started with One of Our NHL Betting Sites

Now that you’re all clued up on US hockey betting, you’re ready to get out there and make a bet on the action. Want to know the latest on legal sports betting in your state? Here at Compare.bet, we’re tracking all the movements of sports betting in America and will continue to provide you with the latest sports betting news and legal developments.

FAQs

Is there a winning formula for hockey betting?

No. Just like any other type of sports, there is no winning formula or method when it comes to placing a bet on hockey. As with any other form of gambling, you could win, or you could lose, nothing is guaranteed. Different bet types carry different levels of risk, a straight bet would be much safer compared to a parlay bet which yields a higher payout but is much riskier. If you’re new to betting on hockey we suggest dipping your toes into the sports betting pool by placing a bet that carries less risk before placing high stakes wagers.

Is hockey betting safe?

Yes, as long as you place your bets with a licensed and regulated sportsbook. In the states where sports betting is legal, all sportsbooks, land-based and online, must be regulated and granted approval before they can accept bets. Regulatory bodies ensure that these sportsbooks offer bettors fair chances and implement security measures to protect customer information, but it is up to bettors to gamble responsibly and never bet more than they can afford to lose.

Do sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions for hockey betting?

Yes. Each sportsbook has a number of promotions and bonuses, such as free bets offers and matched deposit deals. These cover a wide range of sports,  though some offer bonuses specifically for hockey betting markets. The exact bonuses vary, depending on the sportsbook you choose, so it’s well worth shopping around to find the best deal for you.

I don’t want to bet on hockey, can I bet on other sports?

Yes. In states where sports betting is legal, sportsbooks offer odds on a variety of different professional and amateur sports such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer and darts. Some sportsbooks even offer odds on NCAA hockey games.

Are offshore hockey betting sites safe?

No. Offshore betting sites are not licensed to operate in the US and are therefore unregulated. This means that these sites are not required to meet basic player protection standards. On top of this, there is no way of seeing who is managing your money and some even engage in predatory marketing and advertising practices. If you want to bet on hockey online stick with a regulated site. If online sports betting is not legal in your state we recommend waiting until it is.

Can I place in-play bets at hockey betting sites?

Yes, it’s possible to make in-play bets through the best hockey betting sites. You’ll find that odds for in-play betting will only change during breaks, meaning you have a chance to reassess the game and place your bets without missing any of the action.

The people behind this page

Compare.bet's online gambling content experts helped write, edit and check the content on this page:

Jake is a gambling content specialist for Compare.bet, with a focus on the regulated US market. He is responsible for producing news content for Compare.bet News, state guides for Compare.bet US and has interviewed several senior executives within the gambling industry. Jake previously wrote for Gambling Insider and LGBT+ news site PinkNews.

The following external expert contributors worked with Compare.bet to ensure the content of this page provided maximum value, accuracy and insight:

Eddie Baker Headshot
Eddie is a contributor at Compare.bet US who focuses on writing and editing gambling guides, reviews, and more. Outside work he's a musician and distance runner.