The NHL (National Hockey League) is one of the most popular leagues to bet on. It attracts both punters and fans from across the world thanks to its highly competitive matches and star players. Read on, as we showcase our detailed guide of the top NHL betting sites.
- 1 Top Bookmakers We Recommend for NHL Betting
- 2 Best NHL Betting Sites Ranked & Reviewed
- 3 Introducing NHL Betting
- 4 NHL Betting Odds, Tips & Promotions 2024/25
- 5 Most Popular NHL Betting Markets
- 6 How to Bet on the NHL
- 7 Our Expert NHL Betting Strategies
- 8 More Sports Betting Articles
- 9 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 10 NHL Betting Resources
- 11 NHL Betting FAQs
Top Bookmakers We Recommend for NHL Betting
UK Gambling Commission
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (11):
    18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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UK Gambling Commission
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (9):
18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x 5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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UK Gambling Commission
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (5):
 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 or more on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds within 7 days of registration. No cash out. Get £30 in Free Football Bets, selected markets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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UK Gambling Commission
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (5):
   18+ New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via the promotions page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max. extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Profit Boost cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. Other Promotional Play Restrictions Apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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UK Gambling Commission
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (7):
18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4 x £5 free bets. Free bet available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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UK Gambling Commission
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (8):
 18+ New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 in free bets and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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UK Gambling Commission
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (7):
18+ New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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UK Gambling Commission
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (4):
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on football (odds 2.00+) within 7 days. Get 4x£10 Free Bets for set markets and a £10 Slot Bonus for Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, to withdraw max £250. Rewards expire in 10 days. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Malta Gaming Authority
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (7):
18+ New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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UK Gambling Commission
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
Payment methods (7):
 18+ New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Best NHL Betting Sites Ranked & Reviewed
In this section, we will provide reviews of the best ice hockey betting sites, while also highlighting the pros and cons of each operator.
1. bet365 - Frequent NHL Specials
This behemoth sportsbook is known practically worldwide thanks to its strong reputation. Like in many of the sporting markets it offers, the NHL is extensively covered by bet365.
Users can bet on tons of hockey markets including moneylines, totals, pucklines and player props. In-play betting is also an option. What separates bet365 from the other operators in this list is its same-game parlays, which allow users to build accumulators within the same match by mixing different markets, such as a moneyline wager and a player prop together.
Moreover, the operator offers an early-payout special for hockey. If a team you wagered on goes up by three goals, it is marked as a winner, and you are paid the winnings. This goes for both straight bets and parlays (leg of parlay graded a winner).
Bet365 also provides new members with up to £30 in free bets when they deposit at least £10 and bet £10.
- Offers promotions for the NHL.
- Easy to navigate the user interface.
- Tons of hockey markets.
- Live chat support begins with a bot.
- Doesn’t offer streaming for the NHL.
2. Ladbrokes - Hundreds of Hockey Bet Types
Ladbrokes attracts many NHL punters from the UK thanks to offering a wide variety of hockey markets, including moneyline, totals, puck lines, period wagers and player props.
The operator allows users to wager on hundreds of bet types. For example, the Buffalo Sabres vs. Dallas Stars contest featured 186 different markets to select from. You could bet on every player from each team to record over or under a certain number of points, assists or power play points.
With the NHL season set to begin, new Ladbrokes users can earn £/€20 in free bets to use on hockey, or any sport of their choice, when they deposit £/€5.
- Odds can be displayed in American style.
- There are extended markets for other hockey leagues.
- The Lucky Dip feature offers boosted odds for selected sports.
- Doesn’t offer a search feature to find bets.
- User interface could use a revamp.
3. BetVictor - Helps Punters by Providing NHL Stats
This historic bookmaker, founded in 1946, features a simple, yet modern, user interface that is excellent for betting on the NHL along with enhanced odds.
When a match is selected, important data regarding each team is displayed, including how it has performed over its past five matches, head-to-head form, recent scores and division standings.
This data provided by BetVictor helps users make informed decisions when wagering on hockey matches. Common bet types include in-play, win/draw/win, moneyline, puck lines, total and 3-way handicap.
- New customers can bet £10 and receive £20 for hockey.
- BetVictor's blog provides tips for NHL wagering.
- Free predictor game for other sports with prizes.
- Lacks a variety of NHL promotions.
- It doesn’t offer live streaminglivestreaming for the NHL.
4. LeoVegas - Offers NHL Bet Builder and Prebuilt Parlays
LeoVegas is a superb sportsbook for the NHL since it allows punters to choose from prebuilt NHL parlays. The bookmaker constructs 15-20 “prepacks” which are same-game parlays with odds ranging from even money to longshot bets around 90/1.
These combinations include player props, moneylines spreads and totals. A bet builder feature also lets users create their own same-game parlay using similar markets. It’s an excellent feature since not every UK bookmaker allows combining player props and basic markets such as spreads.
The site currently provides a welcome offer of up to £100 thanks to a 100% profit boost for in-play bets. New members must deposit a minimum of £10.
- Finnish and Swedish hockey markets are also offered.
- Bet types are explained well.
- Social media contests offer credit that can be used on the NHL.
- Promotions aren’t commonly featured on the main page.
- User interface is plain.
5. Coral - Regular NHL Odds Boosts
NHL in-play betting is a quick and easy experience at Coral. Just about every NHL outing can be bet live and odds are quickly updated, so punters can get their wagers in smoothly.
Coral features enhanced weekly specials for NHL matches, which are showcased above the list of games to bet on. For example, a Tuesday Night Treble boost consisting of the Edmonton Oilers, Utah Hockey Club and the Nashville Predators all to win in regular time experienced a boost from 9/2 to 11/2.
New customers can bet £5 and receive a £20 free bet, which they can use on the NHL or any other sports league.
- Search bar makes it easy to find teams and markets.
- Promotions are featured front and center.
- Weekly odds boosts for the NHL.
- Difficult to find the live chat option.
- NHL futures odds aren’t displayed in order.
Introducing NHL Betting
Betting on the NHL might be more popular in the USA, but its fandom spreads globally and attracts punters from the UK.
The NHL is the most prominent professional ice hockey league in North America and the most prestigious league of its kind in the world. It currently comprises 32 teams: 25 from the United States and 7 from Canada.
The Stanley Cup is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, and goes to the league playoff champion every year.
How is the NHL Structured?
The NHL starts in October and runs until July of the following year. Teams are awarded two points for a win, which counts for both overtime wins and shootout wins. There is also one point awarded for a defeat, so long as it comes in overtime or as the result of a shootout. No points are on offer for a loss in regulation time.
The structure of the season is detailed below.
Draft
Dating back to 1963, the NHL Draft takes place each year primarily in late June. It is a meeting where all the NHL franchises systematically select available ice hockey players who meet the draft’s eligibility criteria. These are rules that state all available North American players must be between 18 and 20 years old, while European and international players must be between 18 and 21. Anyone else counts as an unrestricted free agent. During the draft, teams take turns selecting amateur players from junior or collegiate leagues, as well as professional players available from the European leagues.
Preseason
The NHL Preseason usually takes place in the last two weeks of September. Each team plays six to eight exhibition matches, allowing coaches to evaluate their teams, try out different rosters and position their players. The players themselves also get valuable practice time before the competitive season starts. In addition, you will often see split squads, in which different players play separate games or parts of games.
Regular Season
Each team in the NHL plays 82 regular season games, of which 41 are home while the other 41 are away. There is a three-day Christmas break, with no games on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The team with the most points in the regular season is awarded the Presidents’ Trophy.
Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs are held at the end of the NHL season to determine a champion. The playoffs are effectively an elimination tournament that consists of four rounds of best-of-seven series, the winner of which is the new NHL champion and the recipient of the Stanley Cup. The eight teams are made up from the two conferences and qualify for the playoffs based on their regular season performance and points totals. The final round is referred to as the Stanley Cup Finals, which pitches the two conference champions against each other.
1st round, 2nd round & Conference Finals
The first round sees all qualifying playoff teams meet each other head-to-head in a 2–2–1–1–1 format. The highest-seeded team will play the lower seeded team for two home games, two away games, one home, one away and one home to determine who will advance to the second round. The first to win four games advances.
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup, the most prestigious team award, goes to the league champion at the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs. To win, the conference champions from the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference must win at least four games against the opposing team.
Stadium Series
Not to be confused with the NHL's other two series of outdoor games, the NHL Winter Classic and the NHL Heritage Classic outdoor games, the Stadium Series is a series of regular-season outdoor games played in the National Hockey League. Typically, these games take place in January, February, or early March in a football or baseball stadium based somewhere in the United States.
All-Star Game
Played as an exhibition match, the NHL All-Star Game is an ice hockey match that takes place during the regular NHL season. The game sees many of the NHL’s top stars play against each other. The game is usually held in late January or early February and marks the halfway point of the regular season.
NHL Teams
NHL teams are split across two conferences and four divisions.
NHL Eastern Conference
The NHL’s Eastern Conference is composed of the Metropolitan and Atlantic Divisions.
Metropolitan Division:
Carolina Hurricanes
Columbus Blue Jackets
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals
Atlantic Division:
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL Western Conference
The NHL’s Western Conference is made up of teams from the Central and Pacific Divisions.
Central Division:
Arizona Coyotes
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets
Pacific Division:
Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks
Seattle Kraken
Vancouver Canucks
Vegas Golden Knights
NHL Betting Odds, Tips & Promotions 2024/25
At TPP, we’ve analysed the best data across the top sporting sources leading up to this NHL season. This allows us to present the most accurate and up to date information regarding odds, tips and promotions.
NHL Betting Odds 2024/25 [Outright Winner]
The table of odds below features the best prices for the top 10 contenders of the 2024/2025 NHL season. Odds are subject to change after the season begins.
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | 9/1 | Betfred |
| Florida Panthers | 10/1 | bet365 |
| Dallas Stars | 11/1 | Ladbrokes |
| New Jersey Devils | 11/1 | Coral |
| Colorado Avalanche | 11/1 | Coral |
| New York Rangers | 14/1 | Betfred |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 14/1 | BetVictor |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 15/1 | Unibet |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 16/1 | bet365 |
| Boston Bruins | 20/1 | Coral |
NHL Betting Tips 2024/25
Last season, the NHL season finished in dramatic fashion after Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup in seven games over Edmonton Oilers. In this section, we’ll share our betting tips for the 2024/2025 NHL season. The markets mentioned can be found on bet365 and Unibet.
Dallas Stars to win the Central Division (13/10 at bet365)
The Dallas Stars have the most talented and deep team in the entire Central Division and can win it in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1997-1998. Last year, the Stars won the division with 113 points thanks to a 52-21-9 record.
They’ve gotten off to a hot start to the 24/25 campaign with a 5-2-0 record and are currently sitting at 10 points, trailing the leading Winnipeg Jets by just two points.
Bookmakers considered the Colorado Avalanche to be the Stars’ biggest threat in the division, but Avalanche have struggled so far, beginning the campaign on a 3-4-0 record with six points.
Dallas has been extremely consistent the past three years and has improved each season, with 46 wins in 2022, 50 in 2023, and 52 in 2024.
This is an experienced team with a blend of youth that has made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, including the conference finals in the past two years and a loss in the Stanley Cup Final in 2020.
Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene, Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Jake Oettinger are among some of Dallas’ best players who make up their deep roster. Oettinger, who is just 25, is already considered one of the best goaltenders in the entire NHL.
The 13/10 odds at bet365 represent an excellent price compared to other bookmakers offering division winner odds. For example, Bwin lists them at 23/20 and Parimatch at 6/5.
Connor McDavid to win the Art Ross Trophy (7/10 at Unibet)
The NHL’s best player, Connor McDavid, has won the Art Ross Trophy in four consecutive seasons and can make it five in 2024/2025.
McDavid is coming off a historic playoff and Stanley Cup performance. He was awarded the Connor Smythe Trophy, as playoff MVP, despite his team losing in the Stanley Cup finals 4-3.
The 27-year-old led a ferocious comeback after trailing 3-0 and ultimately lost 4-3 in Game 7. McDavid led all playoff scorers with 42 points and was just five points shy from the all-time record (47) held by Wayne Gretzky.
McDavid’s ability to score points, goals, accumulate assists and be among the top skating leaders year in and year out shows why he’s the best.
The future Hall of Famer also has won the Hart Memorial Trophy in two of the past four campaigns.
Unibet’s odds of 7/10 are much better than other books, listing him in the 2/3 to -16/25 range.
Utah Hockey Club Regular Season Points: Over 90.5 (10/11 at bet365)
Utah Hockey Club, fixated in Salt Lake City, is in its inaugural season after relocating from Phoenix, Arizona (formerly the Coyotes).
Last year, the team finished with 77 points, but during the offseason added key pieces such as John Marino and Mikhael Sergachev, which should do wonders for its roster.
The additions have already paid off with Utah sitting in fourth place in the Central division with nine points, just three behind first-place Winnipeg (12). Utah’s 4-2-1 record through six games is also impressive.
The 10/11 odds are more than a fair price thanks to bet365 listing Utah at 71/100 to record 90 or more points. The extra half point jumping down to 10/11 demonstrates value.
NHL Betting Promotions 2024/25
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bet365 BonusSports: Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
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BetVictor BonusFootball: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 or more on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £30 in Free Football Bets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card / Apple Pay payments only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
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Parimatch BonusBet £10 & Get £50 in Bonuses18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on football (odds 2.00+) within 7 days. Get 4x£10 Free Bets for set markets and a £10 Slot Bonus for Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, to withdraw max £250. Rewards expire in 10 days. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Since hockey isn’t a super popular sport in the UK, many bookmakers don’t frequently offer promotions specifically for it. Especially before the season begins.
Although, during the season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, some operators might provide unique specials for the NHL.
Sportsbooks like Coral, BetVictor, Unibet and Parimatch feature promotions such as odds boosts for existing users that can be used on hockey and other markets. NHL betting offers UK are primarily welcome bonuses for first-time users and can be used on other sports too.
Bet365 is one of the few that caters to NHL punters with its early-payout promotion, which pays out straight bets if the team that is staked attains a three-goal lead.
Every operator we reviewed allows accumulators across ice hockey matches for basic markets. For example, you can build a treble featuring three NHL teams to win outright.
However, bet365 is one of the only operators that allows same-game parlays. These include combinations of any market from player props to puck lines.
Most Popular NHL Betting Markets
Most UK betting sites offer odds on the NHL based on what American bookies are offering. Because it is a team sport, hockey markets are similar to those of rugby and football.
Common ice hockey bet types include moneyline, puck line handicap, total match goals (over/under), and 3-way betting.
In general, the word ‘moneyline' refers to the American style of displaying odds, (such as +110, -155, etc.). For more on this, see our odds conversion calculator.
However, in terms of the NHL, moneyline refers to a specific type of bet. Ice hockey matches include an overtime, meaning there will always be a winner in the case of a draw. Moneyline bets in ice hockey means betting on the winner of the match, rather than a win, lose or draw at the end of 60 minutes.
Similar to a football match, a hockey match can have team A winning, team B winning, or a tie after 60 minutes. This bet is based around the first sixty minutes of the match, and does not apply to the result after overtime, which may or may not be required. Just like in football, you can bet on each of the three options.
Similar to football, you can bet on whether your team would win if they had the added benefit of +1.5 or more or -1.5 or fewer goals. This is a handicap bet that is not an uncommon way to wager in the UK, and you may have come across it before. It is a good way of leveling up the playing field, from a betting perspective, at least.
Total Match Goals allows you to place a bet on the number of goals scored in a match or by a single team being over or under a stated amount.
Prop bets can provide some of the most fun while delivering a whole new level of excitement to betting on the NHL. These are wagers that are placed on specific occurrences in the match – for example, the winner of the face-off, which team will score first, or how many minutes a certain player will spend in his opponent’s penalty box.
How to Bet on the NHL
Betting on the NHL is a simple process. Follow our steps below.
Select a trusted and regulated sportsbook that offers competitive odds and a market selection that suits your eye.
Create an account at your selected bookmaker by entering your personal information and verifying your identity.
Deposit by choosing your preferred payment method.
Familiarize yourself with NHL markets and find one that you might have an edge on. Remember to conduct plenty of research.
Make a bet that you’re comfortable with after visiting the NHL section. After you click on a wager type, a bet window will appear and you can enter a desired amount.
Withdraw your winnings if you were successful with your bet.
Immerse Yourself in a Match with NHL Live Betting
Live betting on the NHL enhances the wagering experience, since you’re able to stake on the game as it plays out.
Standard bet types are always available when an operator offers in-play betting. These include moneyline, puck line and totals. Player props can also be offered.
Common live markets also feature a team to score next or who will win the rest of a period. The odds offered will be paused and updated after key events occur, such as a goal.
How to Leverage NHL Livestreaming When Betting In-Play?
Livestreaming and watching NHL matches is extremely helpful when betting on ice hockey. Not only does it enable bettors to wager live on a team they believe has an edge, but it also makes them more familiar with players, stats and performances.
These attributes help expand NHL knowledge and make punters more informed when betting on the sport.
Premier Sports owns the broadcasting rights to the NHL in the UK, therefore NHL fans can use the platform to watch games. This also prevents many UK bookmakers from offering livestreams for contests, even though bet365 lists this competition as part of their stellar livestreaming service.
Our Expert NHL Betting Strategies
NHL ice hockey is a simple sport to watch and understand, though it can be challenging to pick a winner. Below, we have compiled some excellent resources and general betting strategies.
Explore Sports Data Sites
Some of the best NHL betting tips come from sports data sites. Here are a few of the best:
SportsBookWire: The sports section of USA TODAY's official site offers some of the best free hockey tips online, along with predictions and each tipster’s record – all free.
Doc’s Sports: Doc’s Sports offers free betting tips on the league, as well as a paid service with expert picks.
Covers: One of the top tipping websites in America for various NHL markets.
SB Nation: SB Nation is a network of sports blogs. You can find a dedicated blog for each NHL team, as well as college and women’s hockey.
Consider Expected Goals
Just like in football, expected goals (xG) can also be a relevant metric for hockey, showing you shot-based metrics that give you a better idea of a team’s average strength, compensating for the inherent variance in actual goals. Not all shot attempts are graded equally; some have a higher chance of success than others.
The Importance of Goalies
A goalie is one of the most important players, as he is the last line of defence and the only player who can catch the puck. When analysing any game, it is important to see who the goalie will be and how well he performs on average.
Goals Against Average (GAA) is an important metric, though it can be misleading since the team’s overall defensive ability determines it.
Save Percentage (SV%) shows how many goals are saved, but does not account for how good the saves are. A team with strong defence will limit High-Danger Chances (HDC). This will boost a goalie’s SV%.
A more meaningful metric is the Expected Save Percentage (xSV%) and Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA). These account for the quality of the shot faced by the goalkeeper. By comparing SV% and xSV%, you can see how good a goalkeeper is.
Pay Attention to Lineup Changes
It can be hard to determine an NHL team’s strength. Unlike a football team that must stick to 11 players with 5 possible substitutions, an NHL’s lineup (including the goalie) can be substituted at any time during the match.
Because of this, it is important to keep up with a team’s starting lineup and changes; X (former Twitter) is often the best way to do this.
Home-Ice Advantage Is Overrated
In other sports, home teams can have a definite advantage, but home advantage is much more limited when it comes to ice hockey.
Pay Attention To Travel Schedules
A team’s travel schedule can greatly influence their lineup and strategy. When teams have to play back-to-back nights, they will often start one of the games with the back-up goalie. This can greatly affect the betting lines.
Evaluate Player Prop Tips
There are numerous wager types for player props, which include the number of shots on goal for certain players or anytime goalscorers.
Look at averages, recent game logs, how often a player shoots against one team and how often they score versus certain oppositions. You should also research how other teams allow specific positions to perform in these categories.
Do Some Odds Shopping
Odds shopping should be a regular part of any well thought-out betting plan. This is when you shop across different NHL bookmakers to find the best available prices for the odds.
For example, the Edmonton Oilers might be 9/1 to win the Stanley Cup on one operator, but 10/1 on another.
More Sports Betting Articles
ThePuntersPage Final Say
The NHL is an exciting league, full of action, fights and surprises, with a unique seasonal structure that creates extra suspense. Now that you’ve read our guide to NHL betting, make sure that you find an operator that best suits your needs if you wish to stake the sport.
Remember to shop around for the best odds, wager responsibly, carefully manage your bankroll and never bet more than you can afford.
NHL Betting Resources
If you would like more information regarding betting on the NHL, you can check out the following resources.
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1.
National Hockey League (NHL): Official site of the NHL
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2.
NHL Records – Stanley Cup: History of the Stanley Cup, including past winners
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3.
Sky Sports – Ice Hockey: News source for ice hockey, including the NHL
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4.
UK Gambling Commission: Official UK gambling regulator
NHL Betting FAQs
The king of online NHL betting sites is bet365 due to its interactive interface, excellent ice hockey odds, same-game parlays and a plethora of markets. It is widely considered to be the best NHL betting app for UK users.
Premier Sports owns the exclusive broadcast rights for streaming in the UK. Punters can use the platform to watch matches. It is worth considering bet365 when looking for NHL streams, as the competition is listed on the bookmaker’s livestreaming offer.
Moneyline odds in NHL betting refer to which team you wager on to win the match outright.
NHL betting allows punters to select their preferred market, which could be moneyline or total goals, and place bets on a regulated UK bookmaker.
Yes, customers in the UK can wager on the NHL through many different operators, such as the ones mentioned in this guide. NHL betting on UK sites is extremely common. Ice hockey free bets that UK bookmakers usually offer come in the form of sign-up bonuses.
It is up to the individual bettor to determine what market they have an edge in when betting on ice hockey. Some punters prefer the main markets, including moneyline or spreads (puck lines). Others focus on player prop betting. Stanley Cup betting is often considered to be the most exciting since it revolves around the championship.
The most popular bet on NHL across online UK betting sites is a moneyline bet.