The only thing Canadians love more than betting on the Stanley Cup Finals is betting on a Stanley Cup Finals Game 7!
The 2023-24 NHL playoffs were settled with a Game 7 classic. Savvy bettors with Florida Panthers futures tickets were able to celebrate after a thrilling seven-game series.
Like the sport itself, NHL betting sites have evolved significantly as technology continues to improve.
Below, I have spent numerous hours researching the very best NHL betting sites so you can pick the site or sites that best suit your NHL betting needs.
Let’s go!
As NHL hockey fans, we are very fortunate to have more online betting options than ever before. These sites are a mixture of old and new, but they all bring different features and benefits that will interest hockey bettors in different ways.
Let’s review.
bet365 needs no introduction. They are an industry giant with a great global reputation.
The perk I enjoy the most as a regular bet365 user is their frequent odds boosts, which give me the comfort of knowing I am getting the absolute best price for my bet.
I’m also a fan of the bet365 early payout for NHL games. Why sweat all the way through a game when bet365 is willing to pay it out early?
I enjoy watching my bets play out in real-time. bet365 has a live-streaming option, which is a feature I like to take advantage of regularly. Once my account was funded, any game with a “play” button beside it means I now have the ability to stream that specific game.
bet365 has all the features and benefits I need as a recreational bettor, making it one of my favourite sportsbooks.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Great mobile app | No phone support |
| Regular odds boosts | |
| Early NHL payout option |
VBET is not yet Canada’s most popular NHL betting option, but its mobile app functionality and ease of use might make it one of the most underrated options.
As a regular NHL bettor, VBET appealed to me for several reasons. Their daily hockey market odds are timely and easy to find, even on my Android.
Of course, VBET also provides a full selection of NHL props. Personally, I like to play NHL Goal Scorer props, and I find the VBET odds to be competitive with my other accounts.
I’m old school and still prefer my customer service to be over the phone when possible. VBET does that for me, which is a nice perk today when many operators are getting away from phone support.
If I had one request from the VBET team, it would be to clean up the homepage and make the website just a little less busy for me.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Great app functionality | Cluttered homepage |
| 24/7 Customer Support | Lacking stats and info |
| Full range of sports |
Unibet is a global brand that boasts over 11 million users worldwide. Right away, I was excited at the live betting and live streaming options. As a fan of NHL live betting, the chance to stream and cheer my bets on while watching the action unfold is always a plus.
I find the Unibet website to be pretty clean, almost a little boring. At a time when many of its competitors build homepages that are busy and overwhelming, the clean look is appreciated.
The mobile app (Android) is on par with their website. It provides all of the functionality I require and isn’t difficult to navigate.
My Unibet customer support contact has been limited, but they appear to be well-staffed and allow you to reach out via live chat, email, or phone.
Overall, Unibet is an impressive option that most recreational bettors should at least check out.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Interac deposit | Outdated look and feel |
| NHL Same Game Parlays | |
| Top Rated Casino |
The Betway sports betting brand has been established globally for almost twenty years. I always find it reassuring when my sportsbooks have a twenty-year history of being reputable, customer-friendly businesses.
Betway checks that box for me.
In fact, Betway checks a lot of boxes. Their mobile app is solid, and they are known in the industry for delivering a great live betting experience, possibly unmatched by their competitors.
Betway backs up its strong overall product with a great customer support team. There was a time when the Betway reviews spoke negatively about their support. It is obvious that the Betway brass heard those complaints and tackled them head-on.
Betway delivers a very strong online presence and has proven to be a very good fit for me, hitting all my betting needs and wants.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Good NHL live betting product | Website interface could be upgraded |
| Lots of odds boosts | |
| Rewards and bonuses for active members |
The Luckster Sportsbook was established in 2021, and I found it to have a very comprehensive list of payment methods that made it very easy to fund my account.
Along with a wide variety of deposit options, Luckster offers a huge number of sports to bet on. But sports betting is not the only thing Luckster does well.
If you like casino games and bonuses, Luckster Sports might be an option you should consider.
Overall, the Luckster product was definitely good to me, but I did wish they had an app available to make my mobile experience a little more user-friendly.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Established loyalty program | No mobile app |
| Strong casino game presence | |
| Regular sports and casino bonuses |
VegasLand is another recently launched sportsbook under the Marketplay LTD brand. Although relatively new, Canadian NHL bettors can confidently play VegasLand, knowing its ownership is established and respected.
VegasLand includes some interesting features bettors might enjoy, such as a bet builder. Like most of its competitors, its live or in-game betting experience is very good, but it doesn’t allow me to live-stream the games I want to bet on.
Another interesting feature I have yet to take advantage of is the ability to participate in different betting tournaments offered through the VegasLand sportsbook.
Overall, I was surprised and impressed with the VegasLand site.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Great website experience | Limited odds boosts and bonuses |
| Global hockey betting options | No mobile app |
| Comprehensive deposit options |
The Casumo sportsbook caught my attention immediately because it offers one of the industry’s more favourable new deposit matches.
Casumo started as a casino only and then expanded into the world of sports betting. That probably helps explain why it has such a unique look and feel, different from your traditional online sportsbook.
Casumo backs up a good website experience with a quality online app. Once I got over the website’s unique design, I was able to enjoy my Casumo experience.
As I have mentioned previously, I enjoy NHL live betting, which Casumo offers, but I am not able to live-stream any of the games I bet on.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Great new deposit match | Unique look and feel |
| Very good NHL live betting markets | No live-streaming |
| Quality mobile app |
I believe that 21LuckyBet isn’t just an online sportsbook; it’s a complete entertainment package with arguably the best casino game options in the market.
The 21LuckyBet sportsbook has a very unique loyalty program that caught my interest. Instead of rewarding players for the total amount of money they bet, I was given a set of missions.
The missions can vary, but the task I was asked to complete (make $50 CDN worth of casino bets) was very reasonable and did not push me out of my comfort zone.
21LuckyBet pushes its casino games more than its sportsbook, but that doesn’t mean the sportsbook isn’t a good option for recreational bettors.
This operator has a lot going on. For those looking for a complete casino, sportsbook, and e-sports solution, this might be your best bet.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge amount of casino games | No mobile app is |
| Quality live betting experience | |
| User-friendly website |
The Jeffbet sportsbook, which belongs to the ProgressPlay brand, was established in 2022. Jeffbet is known for providing a variety of sports to bet on, including possibly the best e-sports betting options.
For those familiar with the ProgressPlay brand, you will recognize the Jeffbet website layout, which has a similar look and feel to others in the brand.
I found Jeffbet to have a vast assortment of sports to bet on, ranging from mainstream North American sports to many different niche European options.
What I couldn’t find with Jeffbet was any stats, tips or information to help me make my wagers. I also didn’t see any live-streaming options, and as we already know by now, I love to live-stream games and watch my bets play out.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge e-sports betting options | No Bet Builder feature |
| NHL live-betting | No live streaming |
| NHL Bonuses and Free bets |
The RedAxePlay Sportsbook is also under the ProgressPlay brand. Users will notice a crisp, clean interface that makes the RedAxePlay site easy to navigate.
RedAxePlay made it very easy for me to deposit money, offering a full compliment of deposit options.
I found the overall betting experience to be good but not great. The welcome bonus offers are okay compared to their industry peers. The customer support options are good, but RedAxePlay still lacks that “wow factor” that would elevate them above the rest.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Competitive NHL betting odds | No live streaming option |
| Early cashout options | No phone support |
| High-quality casino games |
At first glance, I was attracted to the Vegas Mobile website’s layout and design. Navigating the site was intuitive and straightforward.
Vegas Mobile does not have mobile apps for iOS or Android, but it does a good job creating a clean mobile experience with its website.
What Vegas Mobile lacks is that “extra something” that would help it stand out in a crowded market.
At a time when many of my sportsbooks are offering me large welcome bonuses, odds boosts, and the occasional free play, I didn’t get any of that with Vegas Mobile. However, I did get a clean, easy-to-use experience that I enjoyed.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Lots of international sports to bet on | Limited odds boosts, bonuses |
| Seamless casino and sportsbook experience | |
| 1x rollover on welcome bonus |
As technology continues to improve within the sports betting industry, recreational NHL bettors benefit from more sportsbooks, more bet types, and more bonus opportunities.
All of these options can make selecting the right sportsbook a difficult choice. Below, we explain some of the key features and benefits we look for when selecting our NHL sportsbook of choice.
I never have questions or need help… until I do. When that happens, it is always nice to have a sportsbook that is staffed to help with our concerns. Not every sportsbook places the same emphasis on providing good customer support.
Most operators offer a live chat, and every operator offers email correspondence. Very few sportsbooks offer 24/7 live customer support with phone support if required. Those that do offer elite customer support are trying to show us they value their customers.
Veteran gamblers like to grumble about how recreational bettors don’t take the time to shop around and find the best pricing before placing a bet. However, today’s bettor places more emphasis on the technology being provided than the actual odds.
Today, we research and place bets on our mobile devices. Operators have come to understand that users demand a clean, easy-to-use betting experience.
There is no longer forgiveness for websites and sports betting apps that are clunky and hard to use.
Of course, customer support and user-friendly technology are essential, but who wants to overpay for those things? Even with all the industry’s technology improvements, price and the odds we play will always be important.
As bettors, one of the things we can do is look into the juice or vig a sportsbook is taking for each bet. Traditionally, we expect to pay a small tax for our bets. However, take the time to ensure you aren’t getting price gauged by your sportsbook.
Moneyline, puckline and totals continue to be the most popular forms of NHL betting, but each year, bettors start to play more and more of the prop bets being offered. Props are no longer just focused on goals, points and saves.
Today, sportsbooks offer more unique props than ever before. However, not every sportsbook is equal, and not every operator has the ability to expand their prop bet selection.
When the competition among the operators for our business is as fierce as it is today, the recreational betting community ultimately wins.
To differentiate themselves, sportsbooks are offering welcome bonuses, free bets and other perks that all bettors should be seeking. If you aren’t taking advantage of multiple welcome bonuses and all of the free bets and promotions offered by different sportsbooks, you are leaving money on the table.
The very first Stanley Cup was awarded in 1892-93. We suspect the first hockey bet was placed well before then. When it comes to NHL betting, recreational bettors have a significant amount of bet types to choose from.
Let’s discuss some of our favourite NHL bet types below.
Puckline betting is the NHL version of a baseball runline. Traditionally, the puckline is set at -1.5 goals for the team considered the betting favourite.
When you add a 1.5-goal spread to an NHL hockey game, funny things happen to the odds; they can change quite drastically.
Favourites become underdogs, underdogs become favourites, and bettors must develop their own unique strategy if puckline betting is their wager of choice.
When it comes to totals betting, I lean towards overs, because when I settle in to watch a game, I’m not cheering for the goalies. But, maybe you are an unders bettor. Maybe you grew up putting on the goalie pads and staring down shooters.
Whether you lean overs or lean unders, totals betting on NHL hockey can be a lot of fun.
NHL moneyline betting is the OG of hockey bets. There is no goal spread to deal with in moneyline betting. This is all about just picking the winning team.
Sportsbooks are obviously wise about which teams are expected to win or lose a hockey game, and because of that, the odds associated with moneyline betting make it more challenging than it looks.
To succeed at moneyline betting long-term, recreational bettors need the courage to bet on underdogs and favourites. With long seasons, lots of games, injuries, travel and more, we must learn to expect the unexpected.
In 1967, there were six NHL franchises. Today, the NHL has expanded to 32 teams, with 25 of them spread across the United States. The point we are trying to make is that it can be hard to be an expert on all 32 teams.
Many hockey fans might not know much about the Edmonton Oilers as a team, but they are all too familiar with Connor McDavid and his teammate Leon Draisaitl’s offensive skills.
Connor McDavid over 0.5 goals or Leon Draisaitl over 1.5 points might be more attractive to those of us who aren’t diehard Oilers fans.
Every off-season, NHL teams revamp their lineups. Sometimes, this is done through big-name free agents, and sometimes, the changes come from rookies within the organization. The point is that each of the 32 teams is always trying to improve, and each year brings a new opportunity for every organization.
Savvy bettors who have the ability to understand which teams improved over the off-season and which teams are currently overrated have a significant advantage when it comes to futures betting.
It is not easy to look into your crystal ball and predict how teams will perform four or five months before the playoffs start, but the odds for some of these future bets can be quite appealing for those who get it right.
You have now placed your first NHL bet.
Step 8—Grab some popcorn or whatever snacks you like, turn on the big game (if you don’t have tickets for it), and settle in to watch the action unfold.
It’s just that easy to place your next NHL bet.
My passion for NHL betting started over twenty years ago and continues to evolve. What worked for me as a bettor when I first started doesn’t necessarily work today.
Just like the game itself, NHL bettors must adapt to rule changes, styles of play, and new technology.
Veteran bettors understand the difference between regular season, tournaments, and playoff games.
NHL goal-scoring continues to be a focal point of the league. In the last 25 years, we have seen teams average as few as 2.57 goals per game and as many as 3.18 goals per game.
Although that doesn’t seem like a huge difference, when it comes to NHL puckline betting and totals betting, a difference of 0.61 goals per game by a single team is a very big deal.
My advice is to document all your bets, including odds and results and make every losing bet a learning opportunity.
Let’s find answers to some commonly asked questions regarding NHL hockey betting websites in Canada.
The juice on NHL betting sites is most likely around 4-5%, depending on the site of choice. The majority of operators will offer a 50/50 bet at -110 odds.
This means a $10 bettor who wins their bet will earn $9.09 in profit.
I prefer the user-friendly bet365 app and all of the perks of being a bet365 customer. The best NHL betting app is a subjective question, and if you ask ten bettors their opinion, you might get many different answers.
Early payouts, great app functionality, and all the customer service that I require are just some of the reasons why I prefer bet365 over the rest.
All of the major brands and operators now offer live betting, so Placing live bets on hockey using Canadian betting sites has never been easier. Of course, not every experience is equal, as some sportsbooks do it better than others.
There are definitely more than enough quality hockey gambling sites for those who enjoy the thrill of live NHL hockey betting.
The Canadian betting site with the best NHL Stanley Cup odds probably depends on which team you want to bet. However, before placing our next Stanley Cup wager, we can all be aware of the juice or vig for the sportsbook we are using.
Not all sports betting sites are equal.
When it comes to traditional bets like moneylines, pucklines and totals, a 50/50 wager should have odds no worse than -110. If you are with a sportsbook with both sides at -115, you need to shop around and find a better site.
With prop betting, you will see the juice climb up a little higher, and -115 is not uncommon. However, be diligent with your pricing, make sure you are looking at multiple sites and don’t place your next Stanley Cup wager until you are confident you have a good price.
Many of us actually enjoy handicapping NHL hockey games and developing our own betting tips and strategies to try out over the course of an 82-game season.
Whether you are a sharp bettor making a living off your craft or a recreational bettor enjoying some laughs and drama watching the big game, the single greatest betting tip I can offer is your ability to shop around for the best hockey odds available.
If one sportsbook is offering Connor McDavid to win the Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) at -130 odds, and another site is offering the same bet at +105 odds, simply by shopping around for the best odds, we have found ourselves an edge close to 30%.
Even the most gifted NHL handicappers will have trouble finding an edge as big as 30%.
Daniel Smyth
Daniel Smyth has seen the online poker, casino, and betting industry from every angle. He previously played poker semi-professionally before working at WPT Magazine as a writer and editor. From there, he transitioned to online gaming where he’s been producing expert content for over 10 years.
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