Ice Hockey Betting
Ice Hockey is one of the big four sports in the United States, with the NHL being the world’s biggest league. However, the sport is also popular across Europe, with Russia’s KHL also highly regarded. As a result, there are plenty of sportsbooks offering ice hockey betting. We’ll take a look at the choices out there, what to expect when placing online ice hockey bets, and some tricks and tips to help you get the most out of the experience.
Updated on:
- November 5, 2025
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What We Look for in the Best Ice Hockey Betting Sites
Ice Hockey betting is very popular and the best sportsbooks are always in competition with each other. But what should you look out for? This is how we determine the best bookmakers for your ice hockey bets:
The Best Tournaments for Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey is followed all over the world, so it comes as no surprise that ice hockey betting is so popular. The biggest competitions include:
National Hockey League
North America’s NHL is the most famous ice hockey league. It contains 25 teams from the United States and a further seven from Canada. Traditionally played from October through June, the NHL Finals are the most watched games in the sport and see the two best teams battle it out for the Stanley Cup.
Kontinental Hockey League
The KHL is the Russian equivalent of the NHL and features 23 teams, 20 of which are from Russia. The season usually runs from early September to March, with playoffs thereafter.
The Swedish Hockey League
There are many domestic leagues across Europe, but the SHL is probably the biggest. Consisting of 14 teams and running from September through March (with subsequent playoffs), many stars of the SHL play for the renowned Swedish national team and go on to feature in the NHL.
Ice Hockey World Championships
Taking place annually, usually in May, this is the biggest international competition in the world of ice hockey and rivals the Winter Olympics.
Live Betting and Streaming
Live betting has become increasingly popular over the years, with most bookmakers allowing you to place bets as the action takes place. This means that punters can get better value and react to events as they unfold. However, the odds do tend to fluctuate, so you need to be quick and know how to spot value.
As well as live betting, many sportsbooks also live stream matches. This often depends on broadcast rights, so it’s not a surprise to find many European ice hockey leagues featured as opposed to the NHL. However, it’s always worth checking what each individual bookmaker has on offer.
If a sportsbook does not offer live streaming, sometimes they have a live section which has regularly updating stats and graphical representations of how the game is unfolding. This too can help you make more informed bets.
A Guide to Understanding How to Bet on Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey is not a complicated sport, so understanding how to bet on ice hockey isn’t complicated either. However, if you are new to the sport, we can offer some top tips and advice.
Types of Ice Hockey Betting
There is quite a range of bet types when it comes to ice hockey betting. These are the most popular:
Moneyline – This is where you bet on the winner of the match.
Spread/Puck Line Betting – This is ice hockey’s equivalent of handicap betting. As ice hockey is usually low scoring, the favourite is often given a -1.5 goal disadvantage, with the underdog being given a +1.5 advantage. For example, NY Rangers -1.5 means you are backing the Rangers to win by two goals or more.
Over/Under or Total – This is where you are betting on whether the total number of goals in a match will be over or under a specified amount.
Parlays and Accumulators – Due to the sheer number of daily fixtures, particularly in the NHL, ice hockey is the ideal sport for crafting accumulators.
Prop Bets – There is also a wide range of team and prop bets available. Examples include first or last goal scorer in a particular match as well as season-long outright bets like league top scorer.
FAQS
Which is the best sportsbook for ice hockey betting?
There is a large number of online sportsbooks and they all offer slightly different things. Choosing the right one is therefore largely a matter of personal preference. However, we have narrowed the options down and recommend our favourites at the top of this page.
Can I Cash Out my ice hockey bet?
Yes, if your chosen sportsbook has a cash out feature, then you should be able to do this for ice hockey bets.
Do sportsbooks offer ice hockey promotions?
This depends on the sportsbook, so it’s always worth checking their promotions page before signing up. Even if they do not, ice hockey bets are usually covered by a sportsbook’s welcome bonus.
Can I bet on a mobile device?
Yes, most sportsbooks have dedicated mobile apps or websites allowing you to bet on the move.
Are ice hockey odds available in different formats?
Yes, while American odds are commonly used to donate ice hockey odds, most sportsbooks allow you to switch to Fractional and Decimal odds.