Hockey is a popular sport to bet on in North America. The NHL is a top four professional league in the United States and Canada, and international competitions like the World Championships and World Juniors attract significant betting action as well. The game is fast-paced, action-packed, and great for betting. Online sportsbooks take real money bets on hockey games from all of the top leagues around the world including the NHL, KHL, World Championships, and more.

On this page you’ll find everything you need to start betting on hockey online. We’ve recommended the best sportsbooks for hockey bettors, explained every popular bet type with detailed worked examples, included tips to help you make smarter wagers, and provided a step-by-step guide to get you started within minutes. If you’re looking for information specific to your location, check out our USA sports betting page for state-by-state details.

Best Sportsbooks for Betting On Hockey

The sportsbooks listed above are the top hockey betting sites online because they offer a wide variety of fair hockey betting lines, sign up bonuses to build your bankroll, and each sportsbook is highly respected and trusted within the industry.

How To Bet On Hockey Online

Betting on hockey online is extremely easy. Here is a simple three step guide you can follow to place your hockey bets right now:

1. Open A Sports Betting Account – Sign up at any of the top hockey betting sportsbooks listed above. For the purposes of this guide we recommend BetOnline.ag, which offers reduced juice betting lines for all NHL games. The sign up process only takes a few minutes and you will be asked for basic information such as your name, email, and address.
2. Deposit – Head over to the sportsbook cashier and select your preferred deposit method. The most popular options include credit cards, cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin), e-wallets, and bank transfers. Be sure to check for any available promo codes when making your first deposit to take advantage of the sign up bonus.
3. Place Your Hockey Bets – Click ‘Sports’ from the top menu, open the ‘Hockey’ drop down and select the league or bet type you want (NHL for example). Select the odds for the bet you want to make to add it to your Bet Slip, enter your risk amount, and click ‘Place Bet’ to lock in the wager.

Types Of Hockey Bets

There are typically three hockey betting options prominently displayed for each game – the money line (to win), puck line (spread), and total goals (over/under). Below we’ll walk through each with detailed examples, along with other popular hockey bet types.

Money Line (To Win)

The most popular hockey bet is simply wagering on which team will win the game. This is called the money line or “to win” bet. The odds for each team determine the risk vs reward of betting on that team to win.

Here’s an example:

• Colorado Avalanche -102
• Tampa Bay Lightning -108

In this example the Lightning vs Avalanche game is close to a pick’em. Tampa Bay is a very slight favorite with odds of -108, meaning you would have to bet $108 to win $100 betting on the Lightning. A $100 bet on the Avalanche at -102 would require a risk of $102 to win $100. When the odds are this close, the sportsbook views the matchup as essentially even.

Puck Line

The puck line is hockey’s version of the point spread. It is typically set at 1.5 goals. The favorite must win the game by 2 or more goals for a -1.5 puck line bet on them to win, while the underdog must either win the game outright or lose by just 1 goal for a +1.5 puck line bet to win.

Continuing with the same Avalanche vs Lightning example:

• Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+220)
• Tampa Bay Lightning +1.5 (-260)

The Avalanche -1.5 puck line has odds of +220, which means a $100 bet on Colorado would win $220 if they won the game by 2 or more goals. The Lightning +1.5 has odds of -260, meaning you would have to risk $260 to win $100 betting on Tampa Bay to either win the game or lose by just 1 goal. The puck line is a great way to get a bigger payout if you think the favorite is going to dominate, or to protect yourself with the underdog in a game you expect to be close.

Over/Under (Totals)

The total is a bet on the number of goals scored in the game by both teams combined. The oddsmaker sets a total and you bet on whether the actual number of goals will be over or under that amount.

Here’s the total from the Avalanche vs Lightning game:

• Over 6 (-110)
• Under 6 (-110)

If 7 or more goals are scored in the game, the over wins. If 5 or fewer goals are scored, the under wins. If exactly 6 goals are scored the bet is a “push” and all wagers are refunded. Many hockey totals are set at 5.5 or 6.5 to eliminate the possibility of a push.

Here is an example showing puck line, money line and totals odds for an Islanders vs Hurricanes game from BetOnline.ag:

Parlays

A parlay combines two or more individual hockey bets into a single wager. All of your selections must win for the parlay to pay out, but the potential payout is significantly higher than placing each bet individually. For example, you might parlay the Avalanche moneyline, the Maple Leafs moneyline, and the under 5.5 in the Bruins game into one bet. If all three hit, you win a much larger payout than three separate wagers would have returned. If even one leg loses, the entire parlay loses.

Parlays are popular among hockey bettors because there are multiple games on the schedule most nights during the NHL season, giving you plenty of options to combine into one ticket.

Prop Bets

Prop bets are wagers on specific events within a game that aren’t necessarily tied to the final score. Player props are the most popular type and include bets on individual statistics like goals, assists, points, shots on goal, and saves for a goaltender. Game props include things like which team scores first, whether the game goes to overtime, total power play goals, and first period winner. Player props have become a bigger part of NHL betting in recent years, especially with the rise of same game parlays.

Futures

Futures bets allow you to wager on outcomes that span the full NHL season. The most common hockey futures include which team will win the Stanley Cup, conference winners, division winners, regular season points totals, and individual awards like the Hart Trophy (MVP), Vezina Trophy (best goaltender), and Calder Trophy (rookie of the year). Futures odds are available year-round and adjust based on team performance throughout the season.

Live Betting (In-Play)

Live betting allows you to place wagers on a hockey game while it is in progress. The odds update in real time based on the score, time remaining, power plays, and momentum. You can bet on adjusted moneylines, puck lines, and totals that shift as the game unfolds, as well as live props like the next team to score or whether there will be a goal in the current period. Hockey is well suited to live betting because the fast pace and frequent momentum swings create constant movement in the odds. A team trailing by one goal in the third period with a power play can see their live moneyline shorten dramatically in seconds.

Hockey Betting Odds

If you want to bet on hockey online it is crucial that you understand the odds. The American odds format is the most commonly used format for hockey betting. Here is a quick example using a moneyline:

Ottawa Senators +125
Pittsburgh Penguins -135

In this example a $100 bet on the Ottawa Senators would win $125 ($225 total payout). To win $100 betting on the Penguins you would have to risk $135 ($235 total payout). The Penguins are the favorites here, but notice the gap is tighter than you would see in a typical football or basketball spread – that’s because hockey games tend to be lower scoring and decided by smaller margins.

Hockey Betting Tips

Here are some hockey-specific tips to keep in mind when placing your wagers. For more general advice that applies to all sports, check out our general online betting tips page.

• Compare Odds – Hockey isn’t a sport that sportsbooks spend a great deal of time on when preparing their odds. For this reason you can often find different odds at various sportsbooks online. It is important to have accounts at multiple sportsbooks and compare odds before placing your hockey bets to make sure you aren’t leaving money on the table.
• Check The Starting Goaltender – The starting goaltender is the most important factor in hockey betting, similar to starting pitching in baseball. Always check who is in net before placing a bet. A backup goaltender can significantly change the complexion of a game and the odds will shift accordingly once goaltenders are confirmed, which is usually a few hours before puck drop.
• Look At The Schedule – NHL teams play 82 games in a compact regular season, and back-to-back games are common. A team playing the second night of a back-to-back, especially on the road, is at a disadvantage. Pay attention to the schedule and look for spots where fatigue could be a factor.
• Bet Smart – If you lose some games in a row, take a step back for a day or two and gather your thoughts rather than chasing losses. Disciplined betting is the key to long-term profitability.
• Manage Your Bankroll – With games nearly every night throughout the NHL season, it’s easy to overextend your bankroll. Set a budget and stick to it, wagering no more than 1-5% of your total bankroll on any single game. Check out our bankroll management guide for more detail.

Specific Types of Hockey Betting

There are a wide variety of leagues, championships, and competitions for which you can place hockey bets online.

• Bet On NHL
• Bet On Stanley Cup

Recent Hockey Articles

Hockey Betting FAQ

Is it legal to bet on hockey online in the United States?

Sports betting laws vary by state in the United States. Many states have legalized sports betting with licensed local sportsbooks, while others still rely on offshore options. The sportsbooks recommended on this page are licensed and regulated outside of the US and accept American players from across the country. Check out our USA sports betting guide for a detailed breakdown of the betting options in your state.

What is the best sportsbook for betting on NHL games?

BetOnline.ag is our top rated sportsbook for hockey betting. They offer reduced juice lines on NHL games, a wide variety of prop bets and futures markets, and accept players from all 50 states.

What is the puck line in hockey betting?

The puck line is hockey’s version of the point spread. It is almost always set at 1.5 goals. The favorite must win by 2 or more goals to cover the puck line, while the underdog can lose by 1 goal and still be the winning side of the bet. Because hockey is a low-scoring sport, the 1.5 goal puck line creates a significant shift in the odds compared to the moneyline.

How important is the starting goaltender when betting on hockey?

The starting goaltender is the single most important factor in hockey betting. A top goaltender can steal a game for an otherwise outmatched team, while a backup goaltender can significantly weaken a strong favorite. NHL teams usually confirm their starting goaltender a few hours before puck drop, so check the goalie confirmations before locking in your bets.

Can I bet on hockey games while they are in progress?

Yes, live betting allows you to place wagers on hockey games while they are being played. The odds update in real time based on the score, time remaining, power plays, and momentum. Hockey is well suited to live betting because the fast pace and frequent momentum swings create constant odds movement throughout the game.

What is a same game parlay in hockey?

A same game parlay lets you combine multiple bets from a single hockey game into one wager. For example, you could parlay a team’s moneyline with a player to score a goal and the game total to go over 5.5. All selections must win for the parlay to pay out, but the combined odds result in a much higher potential payout than any of the individual bets alone. Same game parlays have become increasingly popular in NHL betting.

What are the most common hockey totals?

Hockey totals (over/under on goals scored) are most commonly set between 5.5 and 6.5 goals. When two strong offensive teams meet or two weak defensive teams play, the total may be set higher. When elite goaltenders face off, the total may be lower. Totals set at whole numbers like 6 can result in a push if exactly that many goals are scored, while half-goal totals like 5.5 or 6.5 eliminate the possibility of a push.