Last Updated Apr 13, 2022, 11:50 AM ET
The 2021-22 NHL season resumes its traditional 82-games per team schedule, which translates to 1,312 total real money betting games, not to mention the potential participation of NHL Players in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics pending.
As more legal hockey betting sites come online in 2022, Covers experts are here to dish out tips for accessing the top hockey betting sites and mobile apps for online NHL betting. We provide unbiased sportsbook reviews, share expert advice on how to bet NHL games, read the odds, identify betting markets, break the latest news, and more.
NHL betting action leading up to the puck drop is brisk, but every online betting site is unique in its own way. As a result, the choices you make can impact your experience and, most importantly, your bankroll.
Our editors have carefully vetted, reviewed, and tested each betting site found on our list. We've drawn up a winning game plan so you can choose with confidence through to the Stanley Cup.
Trust and integrityDon't fall for the neutral zone trap. The recommended online sportsbooks on our list have implemented state-of-the-art security measures and hold valid legal licenses from their respective jurisdictions. Like a top defensive pairing or starting goaltender, shutting down or eliminating threats is one of the keys to NHL betting victory.
Lucrative bonusesNew or beginner bettors are similar to NHL free agents. The best hockey sports betting apps and sites use recruiting tools like welcome bonuses, special offers, gambling bonuses, and bet credits to attract new users and retain existing customers. Review the terms and conditions before claiming any offer.
League coverageShutouts are good for goaltenders, but that shouldn't happen in online sports betting. Choosing an online betting site that covers all NHL hockey games and various bet types is key to success. The most trusted and reliable sportsbooks offer hockey odds on top-flight leagues like the NHL, while some include major junior ice hockey, KHL, and ECHL in their lineup, too.
NHL betting oddsOddsmakers operate similar to NHL general managers in that they are not willing to overpay their players or pay out at exaggerated betting odds. The top 10 hockey betting sites on our list offer fair odds, but keeping an eye on NHL odds from several different sites can help you find the best price.
Numerous betting options can be overwhelming, but they are crucial to profitability. Identifying the best betting odds — and locking in the best price — can yield a lucrative betting strategy.
BankingLocking in your bets before puck drop and securing your winnings post-game should be top of mind. The top betting sites highlighted earlier offer standard sportsbook deposit and withdrawal methods, so choose the one you are most comfortable using.
Mobile bettingTrusted online sports betting sites are mobile-friendly, offering either dedicated apps free to download for your iOS or Android devices or websites optimized for NHL betting on the go. Fans can live bet from their seat at home or the arena.
Customer supportTeams make call-ups from their respective farm clubs for help with their lineup, and you, the NHL bettor, can reach out to customer service agents for help. The better hockey betting sites offer 24/7 customer service help via live chat, email, or phone.
Live bettingThe NHL's live betting markets are strong. Hockey betting sites update NHL odds throughout the game, which allows you to place live bets on specific outcomes, including which team will score next or whether a particular goal score will find the back of the net.
With the field of teams and sportsbooks narrowed down, let's go step-by-step through the process for how to start wagering at the best NHL betting sites for 2022.
Creating your account takes a few minutes. Find the sign-up button and follow the prompts, where you'll share personal information, including full name, date of birth, and address.
Real money funds must be added to your new account before placing any bets. Identify the 'deposit' or 'cashier' button within the account or profile section and follow the directions to complete this required step. Choose the one you're most comfortable with and check with your bank to ensure that the request will be processed with a credit card or debit card.
Once you have completed the previous steps, it's time to line up your wagers and access the hockey betting markets. Enter the amount you want to stake for the game, and the selections will show up on your betting slip.
The featured betting sites promote instant deposits and quick ways to secure your winnings. The payment option used to make the first deposit will be used for all subsequent withdrawals.
New NHL bettors should familiarize themselves with how to bet on hockey. As you become more involved with NHL betting practices, you will want increased flexibility with your bankroll.
We've outlined the most common NHL bet types and provided context for how these wagers work and when to apply them to your betting strategy.
MoneylineThis type of hockey bet is a wager on which team is going to win the game. The moneyline is easily the most straightforward bet, too, and should be high on the list of any recreational and serious hockey bettors. Our moneyline calculator will show you the potential payout based on the odds and amount wagered.
Puck lineHockey's version of the point spread is known as the puck line. Consider this as a way for you to bet on which NHL team will exceed or outperform its expectations. You can bet on the teams you think will lose in this scenario and wager on teams you expect to win handily with a more lucrative payout.
Since NHL games are typically low-scoring, the most common puck line is 1.5 goals, with the puck line favorite set at -1.5 and the puck line underdog at +1.5. However, you will find more prominent puck lines in more one-sided contests in leagues other than the NHL.
FuturesPlacing an NHL futures bet lets you wager on results like odds to win the Stanley Cup or individual player honors like the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Over/Under (totals)One terrific way to get action on the hockey game without choosing an outright winner is betting the Over/Under. Oddsmakers set the expected number of goals per game scored by both teams, and bettors wager whether the final tally will be Over or Under that total.
ParlaysWith NHL parlays, you are wagering an amount across several hockey bets in the pursuit of a larger potential payout. The rub: Each bet tied to the parlay must win to secure the payout. Just one wrong wager registers the parlay as a loss.
Prop betsNHL prop bets — are wagers tied to certain game circumstances and not usually connected to the final score. Hockey prop bets include odds on an individual team or player performance and events and happenings throughout a game.
With an assist to our engaged Covers community, we have identified several hockey betting sites involved in irresponsible business practices. Our findings uncovered issues tied to late payments or bets not honored, poor customer service, and other nefarious activities. We advise you to avoid these blacklisted betting sites.
The potential for Tampa Bay to win its third consecutive Stanley Cup is enticing. Still, the arrival of the expansion Seattle Kraken and the prospect of NHL players in the Winter Olympics all represent tremendous betting opportunities.
Before you suit up for the 2021-22 NHL season, we'll leave you with a few helpful tips for choosing the best NHL betting sites:
Yes, as long as sports betting is regulated in your area. The list of sports betting sites highlighted earlier post odds on NHL hockey games.
Yes. Placing bets via your mobile device is practical and safe, as long as you reside in a jurisdiction that offers legalized online sports betting.
New bettors are strongly encouraged to register with one of the trusted sports betting sites recommended on this page. Take a cautious NHL betting strategy at first to become familiar with terms and bet types.
The preferred NHL betting sites accept a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options, including PayPal, Play+, debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, and others.
The juice, or vigorish, is tied to each team's odds and is effectively the price online sportsbooks charge for making any form of a bet.
Jeff Watters is a content editor at Covers. Before he began supporting Covers experts in making smarter sports bettors in 2021, the well-traveled Nova Scotian and Atlanta Braves fanatic spent time writing about education, software, and NHL prospects.
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