NHL Betting Tips - How to Bet & NHL Sportsbooks

As a sport, the National Hockey League (NHL) draws a massive following due to its premier professional global status. Therefore, NHL betting is hugely popular. It is essential to make informed picks and predictions! 

This guide will equip you with the tips and information needed to maximize your chances when placing online wagers. NHL betting is similar to any sports betting.

Founded in 1917, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans, including arena spectators and a vast online following. The NHL is broadcast across over 160 countries, and its games are, without a doubt, a fantastic sport for online wagering. Check below for NHL picks for today's games!

Regardless of your experience with NHL betting, betting on ice hockey involves numerous variables. Making informed choices about your picks and predictions is crucial to your success. We hope to simplify a lot of information to ease the process.

Moneyline betting

Moneyline betting is popular due to its relative simplicity. In a nutshell, it includes making an NHL prediction about the winning team. Then, when placing your money on a team, you predict their subsequent victory in that match.

Bettors can back superior teams with confidence, especially when those teams are playing underdog teams. However, there are still several factors that you need to consider before placing your bet. First, think about your chosen team and evaluate the following: injuries, fatigue, recent performance, and other relevant information. Making that informed judgment ensures accurate NHL predictions!

Against the Spread Bet

The sportsbook assigns a team a positive or negative advantage, known as the spread. You can choose to bet against the spread in NHL betting. If you choose this option, your chosen team must be able to pass the point spread selected by the sportsbook. Before betting against the spread, we advise you to analyze the game considering aspects such as head-to-head statistics and goals per game.

For example, if a team has a -3 point spread, a winning bet will only occur if your team scores are least 4 points more than its opponent.

Betting on Totals (Under/Over)

Another possible NHL betting pick is over/under betting. This involves making an NHL prediction based on the total number of goals scored; you must predict whether they are over or under the number specified by your online sportsbook.

For example, you can predict that there will be over four goals scored in a match, meaning that both teams must score over four goals for your bet to succeed.

Before deciding on your under/over NHL picks, consider statistics such as general attacking and defending strengths and typical goals per game.

Proposition bets

This type of betting is less common. Notably, these bets do not focus on goals or the final score. Here, you can bet on finer details such as who will be the first team to win the championship or the team who is first to score in a match. Some prefer this more creative and specific form of NHL betting due to its added autonomy.

Betting on NHL players

Alternatively, you can bet on NHL players for whom numerous options are available. This form of betting allows you to predict which specific player scores a goal or who wins the match award. Again, player history and performance must be considered before placing your bet. Be aware that player performance can change very quickly due to match injuries.

Teasers

Teaser bets include multiple selections for your bet to be successful. Teaser bets allow more flexibility; you can move goal totals or points spreads so that they are in your favor. In addition, you can move the tolerance of goals or points scored, increasing your probability of winning and lower payouts for this type of bet. 

There are plenty of sports betting actions to enjoy for the NHL. Not only can you bet on almost anything, but you can also claim tons of interesting betting promos. Check out our NHL betting promo guide to get the most up-to-date and best NHL promos right now. 

The best sportsbooks for NHL betting are according to Sqore.com the following: 

Excellent betting strategy leads to well-executed bets. Here are some tips to help you with the NHL betting process giving you a better chance of choosing the right bets.

Understanding hockey odds

As is the same with every sport, NHL betting relies upon hockey odds. Odds inform you of your potential winning payout. 

For example, if your prediction's total odds are +150, and you place a bet of $100, your potential payout is $150. You receive this payout alongside your original wager amount ($100). However, if the odds are -150, you will need to place $150 to make $100.

Choosing your time wisely

Well-chosen timing can impact your probability of successful bets. Avoid spontaneous NHL bets that may trigger a losing streak. While placing NHL bets can be done at any time, some prefer to bet before the game, whereas others enjoy the thrill of live bets.

Before the game, bets or future bets afford you valuable time to make informed choices, consider essential factors, and have the added benefit of high odds. However, you do not have the luxury of being able to judge a game minute by minute, making choices dependent on live events, such as early injuries or poor play.

Other factors to consider

Rivalries: NHL team rivalry is fierce. Bets on rival teams should consider all essential statistics while considering that these players may play with added vigor.

Home games: Home NHL games are often advantageous due to pitch familiarity and the absence of travel-associated fatigue.

Head-to-head figures: NHL team history lies in the head-to-head data. Referring to this equips you with intelligence over stronger teams heightening your probability.

Points per play: A crucial betting strategy centers around checking each team's point/goal score. Knowing this allows you to identify a team's offensiveness versus their defensiveness, predicting how many goals they can score.

Player information: An injured star player can detriment any NHL game. Inevitably, the players' capabilities are vital. Therefore, keep informed on team news to make the best choice in your NHL bet.

Here is some more general information that is useful to consider.

Teams

In 1917, the NHL rapidly progressed into a vast sporting organization with a global reach. Currently, there are 32 teams within the NHL, each of which is separated into four divisions. There are 25 teams located in the United States and 7 in Canada. Due to the multitude of teams and their accompanying arena, there are plenty of clear lists detailing the names and locations of each. During the regular season, NHL teams play 82 games, which determines the best 16 who will progress to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Conferences

There are 31 NHL teams. The NHL separates them into the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference. The Eastern Conference comprises 16 teams whereas the Western has 15 teams. The season structure consists of pre-season, regular season and the playoffs for the Stanley Cup.

Schedule structure

Usually held during the last fortnight of September, the pre-season involves off-the-record matches and is played by every team. Then, from early October to April, teams play 82 games to ascertain their positions.

The results inform the composition of each division which consists of the top three teams with the inclusion of two wild card teams within each conference. These teams then partake in the playoff tournament and, through a process of elimination, reveal the winner of the Stanley Cup.

The Stanley Cup

The corporation presents the winning NHL team with the historic Stanley Cup, which receives a trophy, also known as the Stanley Cup. The process of which has an extensive history. Donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor-General of Canada, the cup boasts acclaim as the oldest sports trophy in North America. Over time, the cup has evolved about how it is awarded, but since 1947, the cup has remained the NHL championship prize.