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May 14, 2026

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May 15, 2026

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NHL betting - ice hockey odds and markets on Stake

Hockey is a global sport, but there is no better or more popular pro hockey league than the NHL. The NHL is home to star players like Connor McDavid, as well as iconic franchises like the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens, making it the world’s best league. When it comes to NHL betting, there is no better platform than Stake Sportsbook. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of how to bet on the NHL.

How the NHL and Stanley Cup Playoffs work

The NHL is made up of 32 teams, with 25 based in the U.S., including the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes, and 7 based in Canada, including the Edmonton Oilers. Those teams are divided evenly between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, with each conference having two divisions. Every team plays 82 games during the regular season. After the season, the 3 top teams in each division and 2 Wild Card teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs.

Every round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a best-of-7 series. Ultimately, the winner of the Eastern Conference faces the winner of the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final, which is also a best-of-7 series.

Popular types of NHL bets

There are several types of NHL odds, including long-term futures bets and wagers on a specific game. Here are some of the more popular hockey betting markets you’ll find at Stake:

Moneyline

A simple bet on the winner and loser of a game. The moneyline odds of each team dictate the payout of that bet based on whether they are the favorite or the underdog.

Puck Line

In hockey, puck lines are similar to betting against the spread in other sports. The favored team must win by a specific margin; otherwise, the underdog can win the bet despite losing the game.

Over/Under Total

A bet made on the total goals scored in a game. Each game has an over/under total, with the bettor predicting whether the total goals will be higher or lower than that value.

Props

Prop bets are based on specific events within the game. These can be props about specific periods, total goals by just one team, or player props, such as which players will score a goal.

Outright Bets

Outright bets are long-term bets that relate to what teams will win the Stanley Cup, advance to the Stanley Cup final, win a division, or a team’s win total during the regular season.

Parlays

With parlay bets, multiple bets are packaged together, increasing the total payout compared to placing several individual bets. However, if just one leg of the parlay is incorrect, the entire parlay loses.

NHL betting tips for the playoffs

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are always thrilling and unpredictable, which adds excitement but makes it challenging to place winning bets. Keep these tips in mind when betting on the NHL playoffs.

  • Home-ice advantage is critical during the playoffs, as the crowd often motivates the home team to perform better.

  • Teams that trail in the series are often desperate and more motivated, which can matter if the two teams are close in overall talent and ability.

  • A red-hot goaltender can provide a huge lift and carry a team through the playoffs further than expected.

  • Track injuries closely, just in case one team is missing a key player or a star player is dealing with a nagging injury that could hinder his performance.

If you’re looking for the most up to date betting picks from experts, be sure to keep an eye on our NHL and Stanley Cup playoff predictions blog.

How to bet on the NHL at Stake

There are a few simple steps to bet on the NHL at Stake Sportsbook:

  1. Log in to your Stake account or create a new account if you don’t already have one.

  2. Navigate to the NHL page to see a full list of upcoming games.

  3. Study the odds closely and only place bets you feel confident will win.

  4. Once a game begins, you’ll be able to watch a live stream of the game right on the Stake platform, helping you to track your bets closely.

  5. Based on what you see while streaming the game at Stake, consider your cash-out options on any pre-game bets or live betting options that can be placed during a game.

Bonuses, deposits, and VIP at Stake

There is a little more to sports betting than understanding the different types of bets. Here are more key details you need to know before you do any ice hockey betting at Stake.

Sports promotions and ongoing offers

Before you place any bets, check the Stake promotions page to see if there are any relevant promotions available.

Deposits and withdrawals

Before you can bet, you have to deposit funds into your account. At Stake, this can be done by using either local currency or one of several cryptocurrencies that Stake accepts.

Stake VIP program

Stake has a VIP Club that offers additional rewards and bonuses, such as a rakeback bonus or reload bonus. Learn more about these opportunities at our VIP FAQ page.