How to Bet on Hockey Online 2025
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Last Updated: 4 August, 2025
Ice hockey is fast, physical, and packed with chances to place smart bets.
Whether you're new to the sport or just new to NHL betting, getting started is simple with the right steps.
How to bet on ice hockey
Betting on ice hockey comes down to knowing the basics and making informed picks.
Here are five simple steps to get started:
How to bet on hockey games
Once you’ve done your research, here’s how to place a bet:
Types of NHL bets: Understanding ice hockey betting lines
Before placing a wager, it's important to understand the main types of ice hockey betting lines.
These cover how bets are structured and what you're predicting.
Moneyline: Just Pick the Winner
This is the simplest NHL bet.
You're betting on which team will win the game, including overtime or a shootout unless specified otherwise.
Favorites have a minus sign: -160 = bet $160 to win $100.
Underdogs have a plus sign: +140 = bet $100 to win $140.
When we use it: When we trust a strong goalie matchup or know one team is on the second night of a back-to-back.
Puck Line: NHL’s Point Spread
The puck line is almost always set at 1.5 goals:
Favorite (-1.5) must win by 2+ goals.
Underdog (+1.5) can win or lose by one to cover.
This is how to get better odds on heavy favorites or safer bets on underdogs that keep games close.
Example: Bruins -1.5 (+150)
If Boston wins 4–2, the bet cashes.
Total Goals (Over/Under)
You’re betting on how many total goals will be scored in the game by both teams combined.
Typical totals range from 5.5 to 6.5. Some low-scoring teams might see 5.0, while explosive matchups could push totals to 7.0.
Factors that move totals:
Starting goalies
Power play strength
Penalty trends
Referee tendencies
Injuries to top scorers or D-men
Hockey betting tips and strategy
Making smart NHL bets isn’t just about picking winners.
It’s about knowing when and why to bet.
Watch Goalie Announcements: Goalies can swing a game. A backup starting unexpectedly can shift the line. Always confirm who’s in net before betting.
Track Team Trends: Some teams score more at home. Others struggle on the second night of a back-to-back. Follow recent patterns, not just season stats.
Shop for the Best Line: Different sportsbooks may offer slightly better NHL betting odds. Even a small change in the line or payout can impact long-term results.
Don’t Bet Every Game: With so many games on the schedule, it’s tempting to bet often. Focus on quality, not quantity. The best edges usually come from well-researched matchups.
Use Matchup Data: Check how teams play against each other. A strong power play can expose a team that takes too many penalties. These little details help you make sharper ice hockey bets.
Hockey betting tips and strategy
We’ve tested dozens of approaches over the years, and these are the strategies we trust most when betting on the NHL.
They’re simple, practical, and based on real outcomes, not theory.
Start with the Goaltenders: In our experience, no single factor swings a game more than goalie performance. Before we place any bet, we check the confirmed starters. A surprise backup in the net can flip both the line and the result.
Follow Short-Term Trends: Long-term stats are useful, but recent trends matter more. We've found success focusing on how a team plays in its last five to ten games, especially on short rest or during road trips.
Compare Lines Across Sportsbooks: We always shop around for the best number. Even a small edge, like -115 instead of -120, adds up over time. It’s one of the simplest ways to improve long-term returns when betting on ice hockey.
Bet Selectively, Not Constantly: The NHL schedule is busy, but that doesn’t mean every game is worth a wager. We recommend focusing on a few games with clear angles instead of chasing every matchup. It keeps your bankroll in better shape.
Dig Into Matchups, Not Just Records: We’ve learned that team records don’t tell the full story. A weak penalty kill matched against an elite power play is a clear edge. These matchup-specific spots often lead to higher-value NHL bets on sports betting sites.
NHL futures and live betting: What we’ve learned
Some of our favorite long- and short-term wins have come from two key markets: futures and live betting.
Both require timing and patience, but the value is there if you know what to look for.
Futures
Think long-term, act early.
We’ve placed successful futures by getting in before the market catches up.
That means jumping on NHL odds for Stanley Cup contenders, MVP races, or division winners early in the season, often before public momentum shifts the lines.
We’ve found the best value when we spot key trends others haven’t: a top line clicking early, a breakout goalie, or a strong team flying under the radar.
The trick is to move before the NHL sportsbooks adjust.
What we watch:
Goalie consistency over 10+ games
Power play and penalty kill rankings
Schedule strength over the next month
Injuries to top-line players or defensemen
Live betting
Stay patient, look for momentum swings.
Live betting gives you a second chance or a better one.
We use it when we miss a pregame line or when we want to react to what we see on the ice.
It's one of the fastest-growing ways people are betting on ice hockey today.
In our testing, we’ve had the most success during key moments:
Right after a penalty is called
After a momentum-changing goal
Between periods, when you have time to reassess
When a backup goalie unexpectedly enters
Odds shift fast, so we always wait for breaks in play to place the bet.
And we only live bet games we’re actively watching.
There’s no substitute for seeing it in real time.
Frequently asked questions
You can view our dedicated page for more information on how we test and review sportsbooks.
Additionally, you can view all of our sportsbook reviews for the top platforms you can bet on NHL online.
How to bet on ice hockey betting sites responsibly
Although knowing your sports helps, betting is primarily luck-based, so use these top tips to practice responsible gambling when placing a bet:
Limits: Betting sites allow you to set betting limits, i.e. limit how much you can bet in a day, a week, or a month.
Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any betting site, which prevents you from spending all of your winnings.
Help & resources: Betting platforms provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.
To help with gambling, we created a 'How To Bet On Sports' guide that helps new sports bettors understand the industry better, to play safer and more securely.
Problem gambling organizations and charities in the US
Why you can trust us
At Sporting Post, we prioritize accuracy, objectivity, and transparency in every piece of content we write.
Our expert team conducts thorough, real-world testing of betting platforms, ensuring reviews and insights are unbiased and reliable from a human perspective.
We adhere to strict ethical standards, maintaining editorial independence and avoiding conflicts of interest, while regularly updating our content to reflect the latest trends and developments.
Our mission is to empower bettors with trustworthy information, backed by rigorous research and a commitment to responsible gambling.
You can trust us to provide clear, concise, and honest advice, helping you make informed betting decisions.
Editorial policy
Our editorial policy ensures thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content through strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top betting experts and seasoned editors.
This process maintains the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
References
To test betting site products accurately, we dive into analytical research of the betting industry, so we understand what features are best for you.
Below are some of the references we use when making such decisions: