What actually matters when choosing an NHL betting site
Despite offering hockey bets, not every sportsbook is good for betting on hockey. Some are better for NFL or even NBA betting. That's why we’re going to share what we looked for when testing them and what you should keep in mind when doing your own research:
- This is an obvious one, but it should still not be overlooked. Firstly, make sure they offer good odds. They matter because even tiny differences add up. One site might have a game at -110 while another has -105.
- Second, you want variety. Moneylines are fine, but what about player props, team totals, and period bets? The good sportsbooks give you 100+ options when playoffs come around.
- Regardless of which bookie you use, it has to have a fully functioning and fast app. If it doesn’t, it must have a fully optimized site for mobile phones. This is because most of us bet from our phones now, so their apps must be perfect to avoid crashes.
- Last but not least, getting your money fast matters. Nobody wants to wait two weeks for a withdrawal. The best spots process payouts in 1-2 days.
Bet $10, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win
+10
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
up to 100€ Bet Credits
Find out more on bet365's website
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
New Users – Bet $5 Get $150 If Your Bet Wins!
+8
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Our top 5 NHL betting sites
We tested everything available in North America. These five stood out for NHL betting.
| Sportsbook | Best for | Withdrawal time |
|---|---|---|
| bet365 | Sharp odds & live betting | 1-3 days |
| BetMGM | New user bonus | 2-3 days |
| FanDuel | Easy to use | 1-2 days |
| Caesars | Rewards program | 2-4 days |
| DraftKings | Most markets | 1-2 days |
bet365 – If you want the best odds
- Generous welcome bonus
- 24/7 live chat
- Intuitive site interface
- Dedicated mobile app
- No VIP program
bet365 has been around forever in Europe, and they know what they're doing. If you’re a new user, you’ll be able to get either a type of safety net bet that includes up to $1,000 in bonus bets or wager $5 to get $200 in bonus bets, regardless if you win or lose. However, the availability of these offers still depends on your location.
The site’s odds on NHL games are consistently better than most other books. Not by a huge amount, but enough that it matters over time. They have excellent odds for other sports such as soccer, basketball, boxing, horse racing, etc., and are regarded as one of the best football betting sites, too.
Bet365’s app also works great on both iPhone and Android. We can confirm that we’ve never had it crash on us. They've also got hundreds of markets for each game, including all the standard stuff, like period bets, alternative lines, and player props. You can even stream some games right in the app if you've got an active bet.
BetMGM – Best sign-up deal
- Comprehensive sports betting markets
- Regular bonuses and promotions
- Dedicated mobile betting apps
- Not available in all US states
BetMGM are really generous to new users, as they get up to $1,500 back if their first bet loses.
Even after you're signed up, they run good promos during hockey season (October to April). The site offers odds boosts on big games, parlay insurance, and special playoffs offers. BetMGM also has over 25 markets and plenty of sports to bet on, including MMA, basketball, and football, to name a few.
The app is solid. It’s really easy to build parlays and everything loads quickly. Live betting works fine as well, though it's a hair slower than bet365 when things get crazy. They're licensed in over 20 states, and we like that withdrawals take 2-3 days. Also, their customer support actually answers when you hit them up on live chat. If you're just starting out and want some cushion with that first bet, this is your go-to site.
FanDuel – Easiest to use
- Wide range of sports and bet types
- Includes deep prop markets
- Fast withdrawals with PayPal and Venmo
- Reliable app with quick loading and stable live betting
- Some prop markets can be buried under extra clicks
FanDuel is the biggest sportsbook in North America for a reason. Both of their iOS and Android apps are really easy to navigate and that’s what sets them apart. They also give out a great welcome bonus, as new players can bet $5 and get $300 in bonus bets if the wager wins.
Finding NHL markets takes like two seconds and placing bets is straightforward. We beat this app up pretty well testing it during busy Saturday nights, and it barely ever lagged. You can also use it for rugby betting or to be on many other sports including soccer and basketball.
Same Game Parlays are huge here. You can stack a bunch of bets from one game and get boosted odds, which is always welcome in our book. They also do odds boosts on featured matchups all the time. For NHL prop bets, FanDuel has one of the deepest markets out there, including player shots, goals, assists, and points. Moreover, their live betting interface is clean.
As for withdrawals, PayPal withdrawals usually hit in 24-48 hours. All in all, if you want something simple and reliable, go with FanDuel.
Caesars – For experienced bettors
- Generous welcome offer
- Licensed and regulated
- Competitive odds on popular sports
- Live betting with integrated streaming
- Not legal in all US states
Caesars is perfect if you’ve already learned the ropes of NHL betting. They'll take bigger bets than most books, and their rewards program is legit. Every bet also gives you credits for hotel stays, meals, shows at their casinos nationwide.
They cover all the main markets plus props, team totals, and period bets. Not quite as many options as DraftKings, but they have a good welcome bonus. Regardless of the outcome, you can get up to $250 in bonus bets for your first bet.
The app is fine. While it’s not as flashy as FanDuel, it works. Live betting is reliable, and odds update at a decent speed. They run regular promos such as boosts and parlay insurance as well.
It takes 2-4 days to cash out with most methods. Support is available through chat, email, or phone. If you're planning to bet regularly and want those casino perks, Caesars makes sense.
DraftKings – Most betting options
- Legal in 26 US states
- Long A-Z list of sports markets
- Awesome promos
- Limited list of legal states
DraftKings just gives you more of everything. They've got so many markets for each NHL game it's almost overwhelming. From standard bets, alternative lines, player props, team props, period bets to NHL specials, they’ve got it all.
Big games can have 150+ different markets to bet on. Once you get used to the layout, it's actually pretty cool. You can always find an angle you like. Getting used to their site is made easier with their welcome bonus offer of $300 in bonus bets if your first $5+ wager wins.
Live Same Game Parlays are really popular here. You can build custom bets while the game's happening. They also show advanced stats right in the app to help you decide. Not only that, but they also run tons of promos: daily boosts, parlay insurance, early payout deals.
Their futures markets are stacked too. So, you can expect to see every Stanley Cup combo you can think of. Lastly, you can expect to receive your money within a day or two once you submit your withdrawal request and it’s available in more states than any other site.
The common NHL bet types you'll see
Before we get into which hockey or NHL betting sites are worth your time, let's talk about the main ways to bet on hockey.
Moneyline bets
This is the easiest one, as all you need to do is just pick who wins.
For example, the Bruins are playing the Canadiens. If Boston is the favorite at -150, you'd bet $150 to win $100, making your total payout $250. If Montreal is the underdog at +130, your $100 bet would win you $130 if they pull off an upset.
Puck line bets
Think of this like a spread, but it's always 1.5 goals. The favorite needs to win by at least 2 goals. Meanwhile, the underdog just can't lose by more than 1 goal. We like puck line bets when there's a big favorite. This is because the odds are usually better than betting the moneyline straight up.
Over/under bets
This is a very common type of bet regardless of the sport. You're basically guessing if both teams will score more or less than a certain number of goals combined. Usually it's set around 5.5 goals total. If you bet on ‘Over 5.5’ and the game ends 4-2, that's 6 goals in total, which means that your wager won.
NHL prop bets
NHL prop bets are where things get fun. Instead of picking the winner, you bet on specific things that might happen in the game. For instance, how many saves will the goalie make? Which team scores first?
The best NHL betting sites now have plenty of props for every single NHL game. We found it interesting that some people bet more on props than on actual game winners. In essence, these bets are very popular in hockey betting.
Tips to help you place smarter bets
Now that you know our top 5 NHL betting sites, we would like to share a couple of tips before you start placing your bets.
📰 Check the news before betting
Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people skip this. Spending five minutes on injury reports and lineup news can save you from bad bets. Goalie matchups are huge. A backup goalie against a team that scores a lot? That's very different from an elite starter. Teams usually announce their starter the morning of the game, so check before you bet.
🏠 Home ice does matter
Playing at home helps in hockey, just not as much as in football, where it's a massive edge. Some buildings are tougher than others though. Colorado's altitude is real and Montreal gets loud.
📈 Compare odds at different books
This is where having a few accounts pays off. One sportsbook might have a game at -115 while another has -110. That's five cents, and it adds up fast over a season. We usually check bet365, DraftKings, and FanDuel before placing anything significant. Spare 30 seconds and sometimes you may find way better numbers than you expected.
NHL betting sites pros and cons
Before we wrap up, here’s a general overview of NHL betting’s upsides and downsides:
- Lots of games to bet on all season
- Can compare odds across different books
- Apps work great
- Live betting makes games more fun
- Checking bonus offers from different sites take time
Choose your favorite NHL betting site and start playing
NHL betting sites are way better now than they were even a few years ago. This is because there are legal bookies everywhere that include good odds and apps that don't suck. As a result, you’re not stuck with one option anymore.
Each of these sites has something unique that we really enjoyed. bet365 has the best odds and fastest live betting, BetMGM gives new users a huge bonus, while FanDuel is the easiest for beginners. On top of those, we have Caesars, a bookie that hooks you up with resort property perks and DraftKings that has every betting option imaginable.
Pick whichever one fits what you care about most. Alternatively, just sign up for a couple and see which one you like best. We’ve made it easy to do so. All you have to do is click one of our banners to get started.
Our recommended sportsbook bonuses in 2026
Bet $10, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win
+10
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
up to 100€ Bet Credits
Find out more on bet365's website
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
New Users – Bet $5 Get $150 If Your Bet Wins!
+8
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
+8
- Bet on 40+ different sports
- Dynamic odds on live, in-play fixtures
- Deposit and bet $5 to receive up to $300 in bonus bets
10 x $100 bet match
+4
- 15+ sports categories
- An extensive range of betting markets
- Supports in-play betting and live streaming
NHL betting sites FAQs
What's the easiest NHL betting site for someone new?
FanDuel, no question. The app makes sense right away, everything's clearly labeled, and you won't get confused trying to place a bet.
How do prop bets work?
You're betting on specific stuff in the game instead of who wins. Like will Player X score, or will the goalie make over 30 saves. It's less about the final score and more about individual performances.
Which one has the best odds?
bet365 usually has the best odds, but it varies game to game. That's why comparing across a few books before you bet makes sense.
