Ice hockey is by far the most well-liked sport in Canada, something proven by the wide participation of the nation’s domestic teams in the NHL. Among the 32 teams in the league, 7 of them are based in Canada. Searching for the best NHL sportsbook is the first step ito turning a nice profit. Questions like whether the odds reflect the real value of the wager or which market is the most rewarding for you in the long run, must be disclosed. In this article, you will find answers to everything regarding how to find the best NHL bookmakers. You will see all the criteria you should include in terms of in-play wagering, features and bonuses. Let’s get down to it.
Full list of NHL Betting Sites
Deciding which sportsbook is solid when it comes to betting on the NHL is not easy. However, our experts have examined the sites individually so that we can provide you with a list of the best NHL betting sites. Several parameters were factored into our final verdict; the high odds and wide array of markets contribute, along with the services and promotions for both pre-match and in-play wagering. Below, you can find a list comprised of our most approved bookmakers.
- Betting App Available
- Cash-Out Feature
- Freebets & Sports Promos
- Betting App Available
- Cash-Out Feature
- Freebets & Sports Promos
- Welcome Sports Bonus
- Live Streaming Feature
- Great Odds Available
- Welcome Sports Bonus
- Live Streaming Feature
- Great Odds Available
- Numerous Betting Markets
- Many Sports Promotions
- Great Customer Support
- Numerous Betting Markets
- Many Sports Promotions
- Great Customer Support
- Live Streaming Available
- Great Betting Variety
- Built-a-Bet Available
- Live Streaming Available
- Great Betting Variety
- Built-a-Bet Available
- Dedicated Sports Bonuses
- Wide Sports Range
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Dedicated Sports Bonuses
- Wide Sports Range
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Great Live Betting Platform
- Many Sport Options
- Great Variety of Payment Options
- Great Live Betting Platform
- Many Sport Options
- Great Variety of Payment Options
- Great Sports Promos
- Interac Deposits
- Canadian Focused Site
- Great Sports Promos
- Interac Deposits
- Canadian Focused Site
- Focused on Canadian Bettors
- Many Payment Options
- Sports Welcome Offer
- Focused on Canadian Bettors
- Many Payment Options
- Sports Welcome Offer
Picking the best NHL sportsbooks
An NHL season comes through an 82-game regular season before 16 teams qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. At the end of the playoffs, two teams remain fighting for the ultimate prize in professional ice hockey; the Stanley Cup. Throughout this whole season, lots of betting opportunities come at hand. This is why you should assess every NHL betting site and find the most suitable to take gain of those opportunities. Let’s take a look at the criteria that make a bookmaker stand out.
Payout
It is a shared secret that picking the NHL sportsbook that offers the highest odds is essential. This will make your bet more valuable, offering you higher winnings. Let’s suppose the Arizona Coyotes travel to Montreal to take on the local Canadiens. You decide that an upset is on the cards, and you want to back the Coyotes to get the victory, including the possibility of overtime or penalties. While comparing the odds between two bookmakers, you realize that the first one offers the selection at +143 (2.43) odds and the second at +133 (2.33). Deducing that difference into a $1,000 bet will show you that choosing the first bookmaker for your bet rewards you with an extra $100, if won.
Betting Options
Supposedly, you found which sportsbook offers the most valuable odds on the match winner. What about extra markets, though? There is definitely more than just the moneyline; you can also predict how many goals will be scored or even which player will score a goal. Since the match winner in some cases is pretty apparent, and the odds on this are low, the best NHL bookmakers provide you with as many options as possible to make betting more attractive.
In-play Wagering
Live betting emerges as a significant variable in the assessment of NHL online bookies. As several factors play into the outcome of a match, you should always look out for those that can help you predict it successfully. Since events on the ice change constantly, detailed live coverage of the match will help you find the right opportunity to take advantage of. Always go for those bookmakers who offer advanced live stats, keep their markets open until the deep end of a match, and accept your bets as quickly as possible.
Features
Wagering on the NHL can be enhanced by some extra services. Live streaming can assist you essentially with your betting. Not only it offers you a live image of what is happening on the ice for betting purposes, but it also makes the whole experience more entertaining. Unluckily though, the bet builder and edit bet functions are rarely available. Lastly, if you do not wish to go the whole distance with your bet, the best NHL betting sites hand you the chance to cash it out in full, partial or auto mode.
Bonuses & Promotions
Each NHL season is filled with fan excitement and hundreds of betting alternatives. Along the way, players might benefit from bookmakers’ promotions. These promos make betting on hockey even more alluring, from deposit bonuses and free bets to cashback offers and odds enhancement. These are just a sample of what NHL bookmakers offer to attract players. Sometimes, you can even claim an acca insurance or early payout promo to “protect” your bet.
Popular markets on NHL Bookmakers
Players are able to wager on their selections in singles, parlays or systems. The betting markets vary from one NHL sportsbook to another. All of them allow you to place a bet on the match winner, but a few let you predict which player will score a goal. Let’s take a look at the most common markets you can encounter:
➤ Moneyline (1X2): This market can be found in two versions, but it has to do with the winner of a match. Moneyline refers to the winner, including overtime and/or penalties, while the 1X2 is based on the outcome after the 60-minute regular time.
➤ Over/Under: It refers to the number of goals during a match. The bookmaker sets a line (e.g., 2.5 goals), and you must predict whether more or fewer goals will be scored.
➤ Spreads: Also known as Puck Lines, they are an alternative way to bet on a match outcome. They are used to add extra spice in matches with a clear favorite and underdog, as the former starts with a goal deficit and the latter with a surplus.
➤ Asian Handicaps: Another way to bet on goal handicaps are the Asian markets. These are 2-way markets on the match winner or total goals, and they are wildly popular in live wagering.
➤ Periods: Some players prefer a significantly faster payout than just waiting for a match to end. Many alternatives are available for periods (20 minutes) and 10-minute intervals in ice hockey, such as Correct Score after the first 10 minutes.
➤ Player Specials: Also known as player prop bets, those specials refer to individual performances during a game. These markets can refer to personal goals, shots and assists.
➤ Correct Score: All you have to do here is to predict the exact score of a match, period or 10-minute interval. Beware of this market, as its selections’ odds are really high.
➤ Antepost: It is another popular market as it allows you to monetize your predictions on the Stanley Cup winner in the early stages of a season, as well as Division/Conference winners. Outright player markets are also available, including the top goalscorer.
How to bet on the NHL
The first crucial step towards betting on NHL and making a profit has been made. Now that you have everything at hand regarding NHL betting sites, it is time to learn the extra steps you should take. From basics like picking the proper bookie and knowing every market, to doing a lot of research and keeping an archive, the following advice will help raise your winning chances.
⭐ Pick the right sportsbook
The cornerstone of this guide is to give you all details on evaluating an NHL bookmaker. It is now time to “connect the dots” and judge which sportsbook is the right one for you. You will have to shop around for odds, see whether there is a wide range of markets, and of course, how to enhance your betting with intriguing offers. We suggest that you prefer more than one bookmaker to wager on, as the aforementioned factors may differ from time to time.
⭐ Learn all the markets
Now that you have a definition for all the betting markets you can encounter, all you have to do is learn them. You should, by any means, be aware of the difference between the moneyline and the 1X2 match winner. This can save you valuable time, as it can prevent disputes with bookies. For instance, picking the moneyline win of the Seattle Kraken against the Boston Bruins will lead you to a victory, even if the match is decided on overtime or penalties. In case you choose the winner in the 1X2 market, and overtime is needed, then your bet is lost.
⭐ Do your research & check stats
Conducting some thorough research is certain to lead you to place more educated bets. You should always be aware of the situation of each team, whether they have players on their injury list and their past performances. This will protect you from making wrong picks, as a team may be on a hot streak, but a key player injury can ruin everything for them. Another thing you can look into is past results between teams. However, we recommend you mostly avoid that, as in NHL and all US major leagues, factors like the draft and salary cap constantly shake things up.
⭐ Pick your spots
Many players think that after 5 or 10 correct predictions, they have turned into betting gods. This can lead to a crucial mistake bettors make; overbetting. Before you place a bet, you should not get carried away. Even if you have a prediction on every match from a 10-game night, it is advisable to pick two or three selections and stick to them. After all, three successful singles bets can be way more profitable than a lost 10-fold parlay. So, carefully evaluate every selection before you add it to your betslip and avoid wagering on everything on the schedule.
⭐ Keep a betting archive
The last piece of advice we have for you comes in conjunction with the previous one. An archive of your wagering activity will not only help you realize your strong aspects but will also help you avoid your weaknesses. If you start by setting a betting unit (i.e., a fixed stake) and write down every wager you place, you will quickly see which bets cost you money and which are more profitable. For example, if you are stronger in live betting but your fixed-odds predictions are rarely confirmed, then you should really think about placing bets on the in-play section of an NHL bookmaker.