NHL Betting

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.

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.  

US States with Legal Hockey Betting

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

Western Central Division Top Five

Major Hockey Events

Hockey Betting Odds

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

Online Hockey Betting in New Jersey

Online Hockey Betting in Nevada

Online Hockey Betting in West Virginia

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

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.