The National Hockey League (NHL) is one of the most exciting and fast-paced sports leagues in the world, captivating fans with its intense action and thrilling moments. NHL betting can be a fantastic way to engage with the sport, especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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From the variety of betting options to the user experience and customer service, there are essential aspects the best online sportsbooks should offer. The best NHL betting sites will all have these elements.
Top NHL Betting Sites and Bonus Codes
The top online operators use unique sports betting bonuses to attract new users to their platforms. This makes betting on the NHL more enjoyable and exciting for bettors of all levels.
Currently, we offer the following bonuses for access to the best hockey betting sites. Note that the offers may change, so check Winners and Whiners frequently for new updates.
BetMGM – WAW100
BetMGM Sportsbook, a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and global gaming giant Entain, has emerged as a major player in the online sports betting scene. Known for its competitive odds, extensive betting menu, and seamless mobile experience, BetMGM caters to both casual and seasoned bettors alike.
For newcomers to the NHL betting site, BetMGM has rolled out an offer of up to $1,500 in bonus bets. Simply create your account with the bonus code WAW100 and place your first real-money wager of $5 or more on any available sports market. If your bet doesn’t win, you’ll get it back (up to $1,500) in the form of bonus bets.
Best for: BetMGM offers one of the best betting platforms through an extensive and well-developed betting app.
Legal states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Caesars – WAWNEWS1000
Caesars Sportsbook, backed by Caesars Entertainment, brings the thrill of Las Vegas to sports bettors everywhere. Offering a robust sports betting platform with competitive odds and a wide range of markets, they cater to both seasoned bettors and those new to the game.
Caesars is giving new users up to $1,000 in bonus bets when they place an NHL wager. After making an initial deposit of at least $10, they can receive up to $1,000 in betting credits if their first bet is a loss.
Best for: Caesars ranks high among all sportsbooks for its wide selection of betting markets. As such, it’s one of the best hockey betting sites available to US bettors.
Legal states: Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.
FanDuel – No code
FanDuel Sportsbook is a powerhouse in the online sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS) world, offering a vast array of features for both casual and seasoned players. Whether you’re a die-hard fan looking to wager on your favorite teams or a DFS enthusiast seeking to build winning lineups, FanDuel has something for you.
One of the standout features of FanDuel is its current Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets promotion. With it, new users receive $200 in site credits after an initial winning $5 wager on any market.
Best for: FanDuel ranks high for betting on the NHL. It offers a wide range of lines and prop bets, giving bettors access to a seemingly endless menu of wagers.
Legal states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Our Favorite NHL Sportsbook for Hockey Futures
BetMGM offers an extensive range of hockey futures, covering everything from Stanley Cup winners to individual player awards. With a wide variety of options available, bettors can find the perfect futures bet to match their predictions and strategies.
BetMGM also ranks high among NHL betting sites for its competitive odds on hockey futures, ensuring that bettors get the best possible value for their wagers. With favorable odds and potential for high payouts, BetMGM is a top NHL betting site for futures.
Best NHL Sportsbook for Totals
FanDuel offers an extensive range of NHL totals bets, covering everything from total goals scored to total shots on goal. With a wide variety of options available, NHL bettors can find the perfect totals bet to match their predictions and strategies.
How We Review NHL Betting Sites
When rating NHL betting sites, several factors are considered to ensure a positive user experience. Each factor is as important as the rest because, combined, they create the requirements necessary to ensure user protection and to create greater entertainment value when betting.
Here’s how each of these factors is evaluated:
✔️ Security
The security of a betting site is paramount. This includes the use of encryption technology to protect users’ personal and financial information, secure payment processing, and a commitment to data privacy. The best NHL betting sites are those with robust security measures, and these receive a higher rating.
✔️ Reputation
An NHL betting site’s reputation among users and industry experts is crucial. This includes factors such as fair gaming practices, timely payouts, visible responsible gambling measures, and responsive customer support. Sites with a positive reputation receive a higher rating.
✔️ NHL bets offered
The variety of NHL betting options available on a site is important. This includes moneyline, puck line, totals and prop bets. Sites that offer a wide range of betting options receive a higher rating.
✔️ Easy to use
A user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and understand is essential to be considered one of the best NHL betting sites. This includes clear menus, intuitive design, and helpful features such as live betting and in-game stats. NHL betting sites with an easy-to-use interface receive a higher rating.
✔️ Payment methods
The availability of secure and convenient payment methods for deposits and withdrawals is important. This includes options such as credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Sites that offer a variety of payment methods receive a higher rating.
Hockey Bets
🏒 Moneyline
This is the simplest form of betting on NHL games. You’re simply betting on which team will win the game. The odds are typically displayed as a positive or negative number.
A positive number indicates the underdog, and the amount you would win if you bet $100. A negative number indicates the favorite, and the amount you would need to bet to win $100.
However, it is possible, although rare, to see both teams expressed with either negative or positive numbers. In these instances, the lower number represents the favorite.
🏒 Puck Line
This is a form of spread betting in hockey. The puck line is typically set at +/- 1.5 goals. If you bet on the favorite, they must win by more than 1.5 goals for you to win your bet. If you bet on the underdog, they need to either win the game outright or lose by less than 1.5 goals for you to win your bet.
🏒 Totals
Also known as Over/Under betting, this is a bet on the total number of goals scored in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and you bet on whether the actual total will be over or under that line.
🏒 Props
Short for proposition bets, these are bets on specific events or outcomes within a game. For example, you might bet on which player will score the first goal, or how many shots on goal a player will have.
🏒 Futures
These are bets on events that will happen in the future, such as which team will win the Stanley Cup or which player will win the Hart Trophy for league MVP.
🏒 Parlays
This is a bet that combines multiple individual bets into one. All of the individual bets must win for the parlay to pay out.
Parlays can be a way to increase potential winnings, but they also come with increased risk, as all of the individual bets must be correct for the parlay to win. However, this is also why they carry greater rewards. The more legs a parlay bet has, the greater the potential winnings should all legs win.
Hockey Betting Strategies
As with any sport, there are key strategies NHL bettors should use when betting on games. It’s not enough to find the best NHL betting odds – there are different factors that can sway the movement of the contest.
- Line Shopping: This strategy involves comparing the odds offered by NHL betting sites for the same game. By doing so, you can ensure that you’re getting the best possible odds for your bet, which can increase your potential winnings.
- Home Ice Advantage: Historically, NHL teams have performed better at home than on the road. This is due to factors such as familiarity with the arena and the support of the home crowd. Betting on home teams can be a profitable strategy, especially when the odds are favorable.
- Injuries and Lineup Changes: Keeping track of injuries and lineup changes can give you an edge when betting on NHL games. For example, if a key player is injured or a team is missing multiple players due to injury, it can significantly impact their performance.
- Back-to-Back Games: NHL teams often play back-to-back games, especially during the regular season. This can lead to fatigue and impact a team’s performance in the second game. Betting against a team playing in a back-to-back situation can be a profitable strategy.
- Special Teams: Paying attention to a team’s power play and penalty kill percentages can give you valuable insights when betting on NHL games. Teams with strong special teams units are more likely to score on the power play and prevent goals while shorthanded.
- Goalie Matchups: Goaltending is a crucial factor in NHL games. Paying attention to the starting goaltenders and their recent performances can help you make more informed betting decisions.
- Advanced Statistics: Advanced statistics such as Corsi, Fenwick, and PDO can provide valuable insights into a team’s performance. The best NHL betting sites offer these statistics to help you identify teams that are overperforming or underperforming relative to their underlying metrics.
States NHL Betting is Legal In
As of July 8, 2024, the following states have legal sports betting, which includes betting on the NHL.
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida (limited to Hard Rock Bet)
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Several more states could open legal betting markets during the 2024-25 NHL season. Missouri sports betting, in particular, could spark plenty of NHL betting activity given the presence of the St. Louis Blues.
It’s important to check your local regulations to determine if NHL betting is legal in your area. If your state does not have legal sports betting, but you’re on a site and can make NHL bets, you’re probably on one of several offshore sportsbooks. We do not recommend using these sites.
NHL Betting Sites FAQs
Where can you bet on the NHL in the United States?
You can bet on the NHL in the US through various licensed and regulated sportsbooks. These can include online platforms, retail sportsbooks, and mobile NHL betting apps. Some popular options include FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers Sportsbook, and ESPN BET Sportsbook, among others.
What is the best NHL betting promo code?
The best promo code can vary depending on the NHL betting site and the current promotions it is offering. It’s always a good idea to check the promotions page of the sportsbook you’re interested in using the links on this page, as they often have special offers and promo codes for new and existing customers. Some common promo codes for NHL betting might include bonus bets, deposit bonuses, or odds boosts.
Which sportsbook has the best NHL odds?
The NHL betting sites with the best odds can vary depending on the specific game or bet you’re looking to place. It’s always a good idea to compare the odds offered by different sportsbooks to ensure you’re getting the best value for your wager. Some hockey betting sites may offer better odds on certain games or bets, so it’s worth shopping around to find the best odds for your NHL bets.
