Best NHL Betting Sites 2024 – Where to Bet on Ice Hockey?
This article is here to help you become a more profitable NHL bettor. Firstly, we’ll point you in the direction of the top US sportsbooks for hockey betting. These sites offer the biggest odds and the best promotions. But we’ll also reveal our top NHL betting tips, before explaining how to register with a sportsbook.
Best Online NHL SportsBooks 2024
First things first, let’s reveal the best sportsbooks at which to partake in NHL betting. All of these sites have been verified by our panel of experts and are safe and secure places to enjoy ice hockey bets. Further, you’ll find a range of excellent promotions, convenient payment options and first-class customer support.
Contents
Now that you know the top NHL betting sites, let’s take a look at what’s coming up in the rest of this guide.
- Best Online NHL SportsBooks 2024
- What is NHL Betting?
- Understanding NHL Odds
- Popular NHL Markets for Betting
- Live NHL Betting
- Mobile Ice Hockey Betting Apps
- Our Top 5 NHL Betting Tips
- Interesting NHL Facts
- Common NHL Bonuses and Promotions
- How To Start Betting on the NHL
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is NHL Betting?
In this article, we’ll be addressing the subject of NHL betting. We’re not talking about any sort of Daily Fantasy Sports games, which is an entirely different form of gambling. But instead, we’re referring to placing specific wagers on hockey matches.
There are several ways to bet on ice hockey, as you’ll learn later in our guide. Firstly, you can wager online, or at a physical sportsbook. You can either bet on the final result, or on certain in-game events. And finally, you can wager before the match starts, or during the game thanks to live betting. We’ll cover all of these topics right here on this page.
Understanding NHL Odds
It’s not going to be possible for you to bet on NHL games unless you understand how the odds work. So let’s address that right away!
A bookmaker’s odds serve two key purposes. First of all, they tell us what we’ll earn if our bet were to win. But they are really there to indicate the probability of that event taking place. Here’s an example of some moneyline odds from an NHL game:
Calgary Flames (+150) @ Colorado Avalanche (-125)
These odds indicate that Calgary is the underdog, due to the positive (+) sign. If you see that symbol, it means that a $100 bet will return a profit of the number displayed. In this case, it’ll be $150 for every $100 wagered, meaning a return of $250.
On the other hand, Colorado is the most likely team to win, due to the minus (-) sign. Whenever you see negative odds, it means that you must bet that amount in order to make $100. So in this example, a $125 bet results in a $100 profit, making for $225 total returns.
Different Odds Formats
Our example above makes use of the traditional American odds format. But the best sports betting sites for NHL betting will give you a choice. You might prefer the more old fashioned fractional format as seen in the UK, or the easy-to-use decimal version favored in Europe. Asian countries adopt completely different systems entirely.
In the following table, you’ll see a comparison of how the world’s most common odds formats are displayed.
How are NHL Odds Compiled?
Compiling NHL odds is not a straightforward process. Bookmakers have built up a complex mathematical model over many years, which relies upon dozens of factors. The form of both teams and their star players plays a big role, as does the venue and all kinds of other criteria.
The model churns out probabilities of various events happening, which are then checked and tweaked by an NHL expert. However, the bookies are never using the true percentages. They are adjusted slightly by a fixed percentage, in order to rig the mathematics in their favor. They are running a business, after all. This edge is known as “vigorish”, or “vig” for short, and is sometimes referred to as “juice”.
Popular NHL Markets for Betting
Coming up next in our guide to NHL betting, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular lines with bettors.
Moneyline
Picking the winner of a hockey game is harder than it seems, but this is the simplest way to bet on the NHL. To do that, you’ll need to check the moneyline odds. The team most fancied to win will have shorter odds, since the chances of them winning are greater.
Spreads
Bookmakers are always trying to make betting lines appealing to NHL fans. As such, if a market is unattractive due to one side being heavily favored, they can spice it up with a spread. This works by awarding a points head start to the underdog. Doing so gives them a better chance of “winning” and therefore brings the odds closer together.
Totals
You may hear totals markets referred to as “Over/Under” lines. That’s because the sportsbook sets a theoretical points total for whatever the market is, and you’ll need to guess higher or lower. For instance, let’s say the total number of goals in a game is set at 5.5. Any combined score of 6 or above, such as 4-2 or 7-0, means a win for “Over” bets.
Player Props
It’s also possible to bet on individual player events in an NHL game, and these are known as player props. A popular example involves trying to guess which player will score in the game. Others include propositions like making assists, or scoring the most points for their team.
Team Props
Just like player betting, it is also possible to enjoy team props. These might include totals bets on the number of goals in a game, or in a specific period. They also include team milestone events, such as the first team to score, or the team to be leading after a given period.
Futures
These markets can be lucrative, as they concern events in the distant future. If you’re something of an NHL expert, you may wish to bet on the winner of the Stanley Cup or the Calder Memorial Trophy. The odds can be quite large since so much can go wrong for any bet placed over a long period of time.
Live NHL Betting
Any guide to NHL betting simply must talk about in-play markets. The growth of live betting has been phenomenal in the past decade or so, thanks to the rapid development of technology.
With increasingly faster internet made available to more and more people, not to mention smartphones, it’s easier than ever to bet. Naturally, bookmakers are always keen to innovate and offer greater numbers of interesting and exciting betting opportunities. And what could be better than the chance to watch the big game and wager on events in real-time?
So if you weren’t able to strike a bet before faceoff, fear not. You can now simply head to the live NHL betting section of your favorite online sportsbook. And the top sites will supply you with plenty of statistics during the match too, to help you as much as possible. You’ll even find live NHL streams, meaning that you can watch the game whenever you place a bet!
Popular Live NHL Betting Markets
Here is a selection of some of the most commonly played lines when it comes to live NHL betting.
- Next team to score. Simply predict which of the two teams will score the next goal. Alternatively, you may bet on there being no more goals in the game.
- Rest of the match winner. Regardless of the current scoreline, bet on who will win the rest of the match. For the purposes of this betting market, the score is effectively reset to 0-0 and only goals scored from that point will count.
- Will there be overtime? As the name suggests, you simply need to predict whether or not the game will be tied after 60 minutes.
- Next period winner. Which team will score the most goals in the next period alone, or will it be a tie?
Mobile Ice Hockey Betting Apps
The world of online gambling has moved at pace to develop increasingly efficient and enjoyable technology. Just as on-demand services exist in television or music, we also have mobile betting apps that facilitate quick and easy wagering.
Most of the top NHL betting sites in the US offer betting apps for iOS and Android devices. Using them tends to make for a slicker experience, since the software is tailored to your device. They are highly optimized so that markets and pages load quickly, but downloads don’t consume excessive amounts of data.
Those sportsbooks which do not offer apps still have excellent mobile betting sites, which are accessible through your mobile browser.
Our Top 5 NHL Betting Tips
It’s now time to learn how to take your NHL betting game up a notch. Sticking to our expert advice will undoubtedly improve your long-term hockey betting results.
Tip 1: Put in the effort
Becoming a successful bettor is hard work and there is no easy path to the top. You’re going to need to spend a lot of time poring over stats, form and the latest news. Research is everything, but even then there are no guarantees. Avoid expensive systems and tipsters at all costs, because they are invariably long-term losing strategies.
Tip 2: Shut out the noise
When you’re doing your research, you’re bound to read a lot of opinions from ex professionals or experienced journalists. However, the NHL receives a lot of media attention these days. There are always television shows to produce and newspaper inches to fill. Be wary of experts who are paid to have an opinion, because they have to write something, even if they don’t really believe it.
Tip 3: Parlays should be avoided
Don’t be swayed by the promise of bigger returns. If you think three teams will win their respective NHL games, just back them individually. Parlays do multiply up the odds to give you a bigger potential return. But that’s because they also multiply the risk involved. When one of those teams loses, an entire parlay goes down. But if you back them as singles, you’ll still get two winners and a likely profit.
Tip 4: Don’t bet too often
There are 1,312 games every NHL season, so be patient. If you’ve spent time analyzing a game and still can’t decide, don’t feel pressured into a bet. Simply wait for a better opportunity. And if you back a loser, whatever you do, don’t rush into the next bet to try and chase the loss!
Tip 5: Check out multiple sportsbooks
It’s imperative that you open many different sports betting accounts. Why? Because shopping around for value is one of the most important aspects in becoming a winning bettor. If your pick is priced at +140 with one sportsbook, but +150 with another, why would you take the lower price?
Interesting NHL Facts
On November 26th 1917, the National Hockey League (NHL) came into being. It was originally made up of just four teams, all from Canada, but expanded into the United States in 1924.
Joe Malone holds the record for most goals in an NHL game, when he scored seven for the Quebec Bulldogs on January 31st 1920. While the highest scoring game of all time came in 1982, when Los Angeles triumphed 10-8 over Edmonton.
The NHL championship trophy is known as the Stanley Cup. That’s because the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston, donated it back in 1893.
Recent NHL Championship Winners
Common NHL Bonuses and Promotions
The next segment of our NHL betting guide is going to deal with the most common promotional offers. The best sites, such as our recommended hockey betting sportsbooks, offer all of these and more.
NHL Free Bets
A free bet is a token that allows you to place NHL wagers without a deduction from your real money balance. If your bet comes off, you may keep the profits, with no strings attached. But if it’s not your lucky day, it’s the bookie that foots the bill.
Risk-Free NHL Bets
Although it may sound similar, a risk-free bet is not the same as the aforementioned free bet. That’s because it involves a real money wager being placed, which is insured with some sort of compensation. If the bet loses, you’ll be reimbursed, either with cash or in the form of a free bet.
Currently BetMGM Sportsbook offers you a $1,000 risk-free bet which you can use on any NHL match.
Deposit Match Bonuses
Most top US bookmakers incentivise new customers to join by issuing a first time deposit match deal. Fund the account with real money for the first time and receive a percentage bonus. For example, a 50% bonus on a $200 deposit would result in an additional $100 being added to your bonus wallet.
These offers aren’t only for new accounts though. You’ll often see sportsbooks issuing reload bonuses which also take the form of a deposit match.
Currently you can receive a 100% deposit match bonus at BetRivers. The maximum value of this bonus is $250.
NHL Bet and Get
Consistently placing real money bets can often result in bonuses, if you’re betting with one of the best NHL betting sites. Think of it as a loyalty reward.
Every bookmaker handles these offers differently, so be sure to read the terms of the promotion. But it usually involves placing a certain number of real money wagers. For instance, three real money NHL bets worth $25 or more will earn you a free bet of $25.
Profit and Odds Boosts
The best NHL betting sites in the USA give regular players the chance to gain a little extra value. It might be a selection of daily special bets, or it could be a “happy hour” type deal where odds are temporarily increased.
Odds boosts are where the odds setters enhance certain prices to make them bigger than they should be. Profit boosts work in a similar way, adding a percentage on top of any winning bets.
Currently you can enjoy a 20% NHL profit boost at BetRivers / SugarHouse every Friday. This makes betting on Ice Hockey even more interesting.
How To Start Betting on the NHL
We’ve covered a lot of ground so far in this NHL betting guide, so you’re probably getting ready to dive in. But if you’re still a little nervous about starting, don’t worry. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below and you’ll be placing bets in a matter of minutes.
1: Choose your NHL sportsbook
To begin with, you’ll need to decide where you wish to bet. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming, so we recommend you consult our table above. This way, you’re guaranteed to be using a reputable site, with good odds and generous promotions.
2: Open up an account
The next step is to register, by hitting the signup button found near the top of the site. Fill out your personal details and verify your email address if required.
3: Select a welcome bonus
Depending on your chosen bookmaker, you may be able to pick from a choice of welcome bonuses. You might be faced with a list of options, or you can simply enter a promo code. Either way, don’t forget about these offers or you’ll be missing out on free money!
4: Deposit some real money
Next up, it’s time to fund your new sportsbook account. Visit the cashier page and choose your favorite deposit method. Enter an amount and confirm the transaction, using any relevant bonus codes.
5: Browse the betting lines
Now that your new account is fully funded, it’s time to pick out some wagers. Browse through the NHL betting options via the navigation menu on the left-hand side of the screen. If you see something you like, click on the odds to place them into your betting slip. When you’re happy, enter a stake and strike that bet!
Conclusion
We trust that you’ve had fun learning about NHL betting and that this article has taught you something useful. Hopefully we’ve given you sufficient ammunition to jump in and get started.
If you’re ready to place your first hockey bets, remember to visit one of our recommended US sportsbooks. Not only will they supply you with a sizable welcome bonus to give you an initial bankroll boost. But you’re guaranteed to be in safe hands, have access to convenient banking methods and plenty of intriguing betting lines.
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