The NHL is the heartbeat of Canadian sports betting. With 7 Canadian franchises and a passionate fanbase stretching from Vancouver to Halifax, NHL betting generates more handle in Canada than any other league. Whether you are backing the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup or wagering on a mid-season Tuesday night matchup, the market depth is enormous.
This page covers everything you need to know about NHL betting in Canada for the 2025–26 season. From regular season moneylines to playoff futures, we break down the bet types, strategies, and sportsbooks that deliver the best NHL experience.
Our team has tested each operator's NHL markets during the regular season and playoffs, comparing odds accuracy, prop variety, live betting speed, and cash-out availability. Below are the 6 best sportsbooks for NHL betting in 2026.
Best Sportsbooks for NHL Betting —
NHL Betting Markets Explained
NHL betting goes far beyond simply picking a winner. Modern sportsbooks offer dozens of market types for every game, giving you the flexibility to bet on exactly what you think will happen. Here is a breakdown of the core NHL betting markets.
Regular Season Moneyline
The standard moneyline includes overtime and shootout results. If you bet on the Maple Leafs at −140 and they win in a shootout, your bet cashes. This is different from some international hockey leagues where the bet settles at 60-minute regulation time only. Always check whether your sportsbook includes OT/SO in the moneyline — in the NHL, it virtually always does.
Puck Line and Alternative Spreads
The standard puck line is −1.5 or +1.5, but most sportsbooks now offer alternative puck lines. You can find lines at −2.5, +2.5, or even −3.5 at adjusted odds. Alternative spreads let you increase your potential payout by taking more risk, or decrease risk at lower odds. 888sport and Caesars offer the widest range of alternative NHL puck lines.
Period Betting
You can bet on the outcome of each individual period — first period moneyline, first period over/under, or first period puck line. Period betting is popular because it lets you isolate a smaller portion of the game. If you believe a team starts slowly but dominates the third period, you can target your bets accordingly.
NHL Futures
Futures markets let you bet on season-long outcomes well in advance. The most popular NHL futures include Stanley Cup winner, conference champions, division winners, Hart Trophy (MVP), Vezina Trophy (best goaltender), and Calder Trophy (best rookie). Futures odds shift throughout the season based on team performance, injuries, and trades.
A C$100 bet on the Oilers at +800 before the season would return C$800 in profit if they win the Cup. The earlier you bet, the better the odds — but the more uncertainty you accept.
NHL Betting Strategy: Finding Value
The NHL is one of the most competitive professional sports leagues in the world. Any team can beat any other on a given night, which makes finding value crucial. Here are strategies that experienced NHL bettors use.
Target Underdogs on the Road
NHL road underdogs win outright more often than the public expects. Over the past 5 seasons, road underdogs in the +130 to +180 range have produced a positive return on investment for bettors who back them consistently. The public tends to overvalue home ice advantage, especially for marquee teams.
Fade the Public on Back-to-Backs
When a popular team plays the second half of a back-to-back, the public still bets on them heavily. This creates inflated odds on the opposing team. Combine this with a backup goaltender start and you often find significant value on the other side.
Monitor Goaltender Confirmations
Starting goaltender announcements typically come 2 to 4 hours before puck drop. Lines can move sharply after a confirmation, especially if a backup gets the start unexpectedly. Setting up alerts through your sportsbook app or following beat reporters on social media helps you get ahead of line movements.
Stanley Cup Futures Timing
The best time to bet Stanley Cup futures is during the preseason or after a team's star player returns from injury. Odds are longest when uncertainty is highest. By the trade deadline in early March, contenders become obvious and odds shorten considerably. If you have conviction in a team early, locking in futures before the season starts gives you the best price.
2025–26 NHL Season Betting Preview
The 2025–26 NHL season features 32 teams competing for the Stanley Cup across 82 regular season games each. Here are the key storylines shaping the betting market.
The Edmonton Oilers enter the season as one of the betting favourites, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading one of the league's most potent offences. The Maple Leafs, perpetually seeking their first Cup since 1967, carry strong public backing that often inflates their moneyline odds.
In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are expected to contend, while the Florida Panthers look to build on recent success. The Carolina Hurricanes remain a popular pick in the Eastern Conference with their suffocating defensive system.
Best NHL Prop Bets for 2026
Player props have exploded in popularity, and the NHL is no exception. Here are the most profitable NHL prop categories to target.
Anytime Goal Scorer
Betting on a player to score at any point in the game. Elite scorers like McDavid, Matthews, and Kucherov are often priced around −110 to +110. The value lies in identifying secondary scorers who are in a hot streak but priced at +200 or higher.
Shots on Goal
Shot props are more predictable than goal props because volume is easier to forecast than finishing. A player averaging 4.2 shots per game is likely to hit an over 3.5 shots line more consistently than an anytime goal scorer line. Shot props are one of the most reliable NHL prop markets.
Goaltender Saves
Save props correlate heavily with expected shot volume. If a goaltender faces a team that averages 33 shots per game, an over 29.5 saves line becomes attractive. Goaltender props offer a different angle on the game that does not depend on which team wins.
Season Win Totals
Before the season starts, sportsbooks set a win total line for each NHL team. Betting over or under that number is a season-long commitment. Teams with strong underlying metrics but a poor record the previous season often provide value on the over. The key is identifying teams poised for positive regression.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best NHL bets change daily based on the schedule, goaltender confirmations, injuries, and line movement. Check your sportsbook for current odds and look for value on road underdogs in the +130 to +180 range, teams facing opponents on the second night of a back-to-back, and player props on shooters in hot streaks.
NHL playoff odds work the same as regular season odds but without the shootout. Playoff moneylines settle based on regulation, overtime, or multiple overtime periods. Series prices (e.g., Leafs to win in 6 games) are also available. Futures odds on the Stanley Cup winner tighten significantly once the playoffs begin.
Yes. Stanley Cup futures are available year-round at all major Canadian sportsbooks. You can bet on the outright winner, conference champions, and division winners. Odds are longest during the off-season and preseason, then shorten as the playoffs approach. A C$100 bet at +1200 would return C$1,200 in profit.
888sport (9.4/10) ranks first for overall NHL betting with same-game parlays and fast live odds. TonyBet Sport (9.0/10) offers the most competitive puck line odds and covers international hockey leagues. LeoVegas Sport (9.2/10) excels for mobile NHL betting with live streaming of select games.
NHL live betting lets you place wagers while a game is in progress. Odds update in real time after goals, penalties, and period breaks. You can bet on updated moneylines, next goal scorer, period outcomes, and adjusted totals. All 6 sportsbooks on our list offer NHL in-play betting with fast odds updates.
Yes. Every NHL regular season and playoff game has player prop markets available at the sportsbooks we recommend. Common props include anytime goal scorer, shots on goal, saves, points, and assists. The variety of props increases for marquee matchups and playoff games.
The puck line is the NHL's version of a point spread. The standard puck line is -1.5 or +1.5 goals. Betting the favourite at -1.5 requires them to win by 2 or more goals. Betting the underdog at +1.5 means they can lose by 1 goal and your bet still wins. Alternative puck lines at -2.5 or +2.5 are also available.
Some sportsbooks offer NHL draft props, including first overall pick, top-3 selection, and which team drafts a specific player. These markets are typically available in the weeks leading up to the draft. Availability varies by operator, so check 888sport and Caesars for the widest draft market selection.
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