NHL Betting Guide: How to Bet on National Hockey League Odds in 2026
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Published: Sun May 24, 2026, 10:34 pm ET
Read Time: 17 minutes
The National Hockey League (NHL) is one of the top sports leagues in the world but can get lost in the sports betting shuffle due to its place in a hectic part of the North American sports calendar. The meat of the NHL season happens while other major leagues and events take place around North America.
But with several games scheduled most nights, many reasons exist to bet on National Hockey League odds at top online sportsbooks such as Lucky Rebel, BetOnline, and Everygame.
No sport is easy to bet on, including hockey. But to aid your chances of turning a profit with NHL betting, we have put together this handy betting guide.
Whether you are new to betting on the NHL or a seasoned pro when it comes to the action on the ice, this betting guide contains a lot of the basic information that can help you make informed and confident betting decisions. That includes where to bet on NHL odds, types of NHL bets, NHL betting strategies, tips, tools and resources, and more.
Watch This Video to Learn More About NHL Betting
Before you dive into the written portion of our NHL betting guide, check out this handy video that breaks down the basics of betting on the National Hockey League:
Compare NHL Odds and Get NHL Consensus & Expert Picks Daily
At Betting News, the meat of our NHL coverage comes from NHL betting analysts Nick Zanghi and Brad "Gretzky Betzky" Blakemore. Nick and Brad provide expert picks and analysis for many of the top matchups, as well as their takes on the latest Stanley Cup odds and other NHL futures.
Also, we have daily NHL consensus picks from the opening puck drop of the season to the last game of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Those consensus picks, which are aggregated from reputable industry sources, are combined with NHL odds from Lucky Rebel, BetOnline, and other leading sportsbooks to come up with the best value moneyline, puck line (spread), and total (over/under) picks for each game on the NHL schedule.
In addition to picks and odds for every game, you can learn and sharpen your knowledge of the ins and outs of NHL betting through our sports betting guides.
While we want Betting News to be at the top of your list for betting on the NHL and other sports, leagues, and events, there are many other great free and premium resources out there.
Where to Bet on the National Hockey League: Best NHL Betting Sites in 2026
NHL betting is widely available at sportsbooks that cater to U.S. players, so options are plentiful. But the difference between an average book and a strong one comes down to depth and consistency.
Among the most reliable options, Lucky Rebel and BetOnline stand out for their overall NHL coverage. Both sportsbooks consistently post odds for daily games and futures markets, while also offering a deeper menu of betting options beyond the basics.
Another solid option is Everygame, which provides steady NHL lines throughout the season and a straightforward betting experience for players who value simplicity and reliability.
What separates the best NHL betting sites is not just having moneylines and totals. It is the variety of markets available. In addition to standard game lines, stronger books will offer puck lines, team totals, player props, and a range of futures markets, including division winners, NHL awards, and Stanley Cup odds.
That added depth matters over the course of a long season. With 82 games per team and daily matchups, bettors have far more opportunities to find value in smaller markets rather than relying solely on sides and totals.
It's also worth noting that NHL odds are posted early and updated frequently. Lines for upcoming games are often available a day or more in advance, while futures markets shift throughout the season based on form, injuries, and standings movement. Having access to multiple sportsbooks can make a difference when comparing prices and finding the best number, as well as taking advantage of the best bonuses and promotions.
Stanley Cup Betting
Stanley Cup betting covers the entire NHL postseason, beginning with the first round of the playoffs and ending with the Stanley Cup Final, the NHL's annual championship series.
While the final series ultimately decides the champion, betting opportunities are available throughout all four rounds of the playoffs.
The postseason follows a best-of-seven format in each round, with 16 teams competing for the Stanley Cup. As teams advance, matchups become more focused, and each game carries more importance than regular season matchups typically do.
Two thrilling months of postseason play come to a climax with the Stanley Cup Final, which receives high betting and viewing interest, no matter the matchup.
Stanley Cup betting sites such as Lucky Rebel, BetOnline, and Everygame will have expanded betting menus for the championship series, offering a wider range of props and other odds. Also, these sites and others may run special promos or contests for this season's Stanley Cup Final.
Betting on the Stanley Cup Playoffs
While many of the same bet types from the regular season are available, the playoffs tend to play out differently on the ice.
Teams often rely more on their top players, and games can become more structured and competitive as the stakes increase. Because of that, individual matchups and in-series adjustments can play a larger role in outcomes.
For bettors, this means following how a series develops rather than looking at each game in isolation. Performance in one game can carry over into the next, but adjustments between games are also common.
Stanley Cup Futures and Series Betting
Stanley Cup futures are available throughout the season and become even more popular during the playoffs. These bets involve picking the team that will win the Stanley Cup, either before the postseason begins or at any point along the way.
As the playoffs progress, futures odds adjust to reflect remaining teams and their paths to the final. Some bettors rather get involved early for better odds, while others wait until the field shrinks and becomes more defined.
Series betting is another key part of the playoff market. Instead of betting on individual games, bettors can pick which team will win the series and how long the series will be. These wagers can be placed both before and during a series.
Types of Stanley Cup Bets
There are several common ways to bet on the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2026:
- Game Bets: Moneyline, puck line, over/under, and prop bets for each playoff game
- Series Bets: Wagers on which team will win a playoff series
- Futures Bets: Stanley Cup winner, conference title winner, and Conn Smythe Trophy odds
- Prop Bets: Player, team, and series prop bets
- Live Betting: In-game betting that allows bettors to react to the action as it happens
As with other major sporting events, Stanley Cup betting attracts a mix of casual and experienced bettors. Whether focusing on single games, full series, or futures bets, there are many ways to wager on the Stanley Cup playoffs this season and every season.
What to Know About the 2025-26 NHL Season
The 2025–26 NHL season has been defined by offense and a noticeable shift in the league's competitive balance. Scoring is up across the board, and the gap between contenders and the middle tier has been less predictable than in recent years.
At the top of the standings, the Colorado Avalanche have set the pace, finishing with the league's best record and entering the postseason as the team to beat. Their consistency on both ends of the ice has made them one of the most complete teams in the field.
The Eastern Conference has seen a significant shakeup as well, highlighted by the rise of the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo broke through in a big way by not only reaching the playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season but also by capturing the Atlantic Division.
Another notable development has been the debut of the Utah Mammoth identity. The transition has been a smooth one on the ice, with the team securing a playoff berth in its first season under the new branding and quickly establishing itself as a competitive presence.
Key Events and Milestones This Season
This season also featured an unusual schedule due to the mid-season break for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The condensed calendar on either side of the pause placed added importance on depth.
Individually, the race for the scoring title once again centered on Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov, who have remained among the league's most productive offensive players. Meanwhile, Macklin Celebrini continued his strong start to his NHL career in his second season, building on early expectations and further establishing himself as a cornerstone piece in San Jose.
One of the most important changes came off the ice, with the introduction of a playoff salary cap for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Teams are now required to remain cap-compliant during the postseason, closing a long-discussed loophole and forcing more disciplined roster management heading into the playoffs.
What Is the NHL?
Like the NFL, the NHL currently consists of 32 teams. Like the NBA, the NHL consists of an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference. And in each of those two 16-team conferences, there are two eight-team divisions.
Eastern Conference
| Atlantic Division | Metropolitan Division |
|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes |
| Buffalo Sabres | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Detroit Red Wings | New Jersey Devils |
| Florida Panthers | New York Islanders |
| Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers |
| Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals |
Western Conference
| Central Division | Pacific Division |
|---|---|
| Chicago Blackhawks | Anaheim Ducks |
| Colorado Avalanche | Calgary Flames |
| Dallas Stars | Edmonton Oilers |
| Minnesota Wild | Los Angeles Kings |
| Nashville Predators | San Jose Sharks |
| St. Louis Blues | Seattle Kraken |
| Winnipeg Jets | Vancouver Canucks |
| Utah Mammoth | Vegas Golden Knights |
The NHL regular season begins in early October and ends in April, and for the last three decades, a full regular season has consisted of 82 games for each team. However, in the 2026-27 season, the regular season schedule will expand to 84 games for each team.
Following the regular season, eight teams in each conference qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The top three teams from each division qualify, along with two wild cards with the highest total of points irrespective of division.
As with the NBA playoffs, the NHL playoffs play out over four best-of-seven rounds. The two teams who emerge victorious from the Eastern Conference finals and Western Conference finals meet in the Stanley Cup Finals, with home-ice advantage going to the team with the highest regular season points total.
Types of NHL Bets
There are many ways to bet on the NHL. As is the case with baseball, basketball, and football, sides and totals are the most popular types of NHL bets.
Please note that any references to sides and totals below are referring to bets on full NHL games and do not involve other sides and totals, like period and team sides and totals. That said, the strategic approach for all of these markets is largely the same.
Hockey games have a nuance that sets NHL games and betting on them apart from other sports. That is the potential for empty net goals in the late stages of a contest. Empty net goals, which occur after the losing team pulls its goaltender for an extra attacker in an attempt to get back into the game, can regularly be the difference in the outcome of spread and total bets.
Moneyline & Spread Bets
Moneyline and point spread bets, also known as sides, both involve betting on the outcome of NHL games.
If you make a moneyline bet on an NHL matchup, that means you have picked one side to win.
In NHL betting, the point spread is known as the puck line. If you are making a puck line bet on an NHL matchup, you are betting on one team to cover the spread, just like with NFL betting or NBA betting.
As with run line bets in baseball, most puck lines you will see are -1.5/+1.5. That means that if you bet on the -1.5, the team you bet on needs to win by two or more goals, and if you bet on the +1.5, you need the team you bet on to either win outright or lose by one goal.
Most puck line bets settle in regulation, even if the game goes into overtime. This is unless the puck line happens to be -0.5/+0.5. That is because you cannot win by more than one goal in a game that is decided in overtime or a shootout.
Total (a.k.a. Over/Under) Betting
If you bet on an NHL game, total bets, also known as over/under (O/U) bets, typically apply to the number of goals scored in a game. Over/under betting is not dependent at all on any part of the outcome itself, so who wins and who loses is not a factor.
Most NHL totals at sportsbooks such as Lucky Rebel and BetOnline are listed as O/U 5.5, O/U 6, or O/U 6.5. If you place a bet on over 6.5 goals for a game, that means seven or more goals or need to be scored for your bet to win. And if you bet on under 6.5 goals, six or more goals must be scored for a successful bet.
A totals-based option you may encounter at NHL betting sites is the Grand Salami bet. A Grand Salami is an over/under wager on the total number of goals scored across all NHL games on a given day, rather than a single matchup.
Sportsbooks will post one combined goal total for the full slate, and bettors can wager on whether the day's games will go over or under that number. Because this market is influenced by factors such as the number of games, starting goaltenders, pace of play, and teams on back-to-back schedules, it appeals most to bettors who closely follow league-wide trends rather than individual matchups.
Other Types of NHL Bets
Sides and totals are the main types of NHL bets if you are betting on NHL game odds.
However, many sportsbooks that have hockey odds also offer other types of NHL bets. Those include NHL prop bets and NHL futures bets.
In terms of popularity, the NHL player props market does not match the markets for NBA player props and NFL player props. But scoring and shot on goal props do make a frequent appearance in our NHL expert picks. Bovada and Lucky Rebel are two great sites for NHL props.
When it comes to futures, Stanley Cup futures, NHL awards futures, and NHL regular season point total futures are some of the types of NHL futures markets you may find at NHL betting sites like BetOnline and Everygame.
NHL Betting Strategies and Tips
There are many valuable NHL betting strategies and tips, but whether you are new to betting on hockey or have been doing so for years, the biggest tip is to do your research.
If you bet on NHL games, evaluating how two teams match up should always be foundational to your research. And over the course of the season, combing through and keeping up with the latest NHL stats, NHL season standings, and performance trends can help you have both short and long-term success.
Also, while there are differences in how you analyze and bet on various sports, many similarities can come into play when betting on the NHL. Some of those similarities lie in the tools and resources you use and how you use those tools and resources to finetune your betting approach and decisions.
NHL Betting Tools and Resources
Good resources are a significant part of a positive betting experience.
Bad beats and surprising results are going to happen. That is inevitable, no matter the sport, event, or type of bet.
But using the sports betting tools and resources at your disposal well will help maximize your chances to make winning days at the window a regular occurrence.
NHL Predictions and Picks Resources
In addition to the NHL picks and predictions we offer daily, Betting News also features reviews of AI sports picks sites and apps such as BetAlytics, Outlier.bet, and Rithmm. These resources come in clutch for our team of experienced sports bettors, and we think they can be valuable to our readers also.
NHL News and Stats Resources
The NHL's official site, ESPN, CBS Sports, and TSN will help you stay in the loop with the latest NHL news.
What are some of the best sites to keep up with NHL basic and advanced stats? For resources that are not betting-centric but are outstanding research resources for bettors, sites like HockeyDB, Hockey Reference, and the NHL's official site are all great places to start to keep up with NHL stats.
NHL Player News and Injury Information Resources
Along with some of the sites already mentioned, sites like RotoWire and RotoGrinders are good research resources for both daily fantasy sports and NHL player props, as well as keeping up with injury information and player news.
NHL History and Information
The National Hockey League was founded in 1917, beginning with a small group of Canadian teams before expanding into the "Original Six" era that still holds a strong place in the league's identity. From there, the NHL has grown into a 32-team league, blending its history with a faster, more modern style of play.
Much of that history is shaped by the players who defined different eras. Wayne Gretzky still sits atop the record books, holding the majority of major scoring records. Gordie Howe set the standard for longevity and all-around play, while Bobby Orr changed expectations for defensemen with his offensive impact. Mario Lemieux followed with one of the most dominant stretches of pure skill the league has seen.
In the modern era, the league has been anchored by the rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Their careers have overlapped for nearly two decades, helping carry the NHL through a transitional period while maintaining consistent star power at the top of the game.
Off the ice, a few key changes have reshaped how the league operates. The introduction of the salary cap in 2005 helped level the playing field.
Also, rule enforcement has shifted the game away from the slower, more physical "clutch-and-grab" style. The result is a quicker, more open product where speed, depth, and special teams play a larger role in determining outcomes.
Other NHL Betting Information
In addition to this NHL betting guide, you can find a host of NHL-specific betting content on the site, as well as plenty of general relevant content that can help with placing NHL bets.
If you find this guide helpful, bookmark Betting News. That way, you can keep up with the NHL content we produce throughout the year.
Our NHL betting guide is just one of many betting guides we offer. Would you like to learn about a type of bet or betting strategy or how to bet on a particular sport, league, or event? Check out our comprehensive selection of sports betting guides, which includes the following guides:
Learn How to Bet on Other Sports, Leagues & Events
- NFL Betting Guide
- NBA Betting Guide
- MLB Betting Guide
- College Football Betting Guide
- NASCAR Betting Guide
- WNBA Betting Guide
- Super Bowl Betting Guide
- March Madness Betting Guide
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Remember, betting on the NHL and any other sport or league should be for entertainment and enjoyment. Always bet responsibly and utilize good bankroll management. And if you find yourself having trouble sticking to responsible gambling practices, take a step back and/or use resources such as the National Council on Problem Gambling to get the help you may need.