How to Bet on Ice Hockey: NHL Betting Guide and Strategies

For a long time, I have to admit something: as a European, ice hockey was never really one of the sports I followed closely. Like many people, I was much more familiar with football and basketball when it came to sports betting.

That changed during a trip to the United States to visit friends. They took me to my very first NHL game in an American arena, and the experience completely surprised me: incredible speed, an electric atmosphere, and a sport where everything can change in just a few seconds.

And that’s exactly what makes ice hockey betting so exciting.

Compared to football, hockey is a much faster and more unpredictable sport. Goals can come from a random rebound, a penalty can shift the entire momentum of a game, and the performance of a goaltender can completely change the expected outcome.

But that intensity also means bettors need to understand a few key specifics: the critical role of goaltenders, the importance of special teams (power play and penalty kill), the influence of the NHL schedule, and the impact of back-to-back games.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• the main ice hockey leagues and competitions
• the most common betting markets (moneyline, puck line, totals)
• the statistics used by experienced hockey bettors
• and several practical strategies to analyze hockey games more effectively

Whether you’re new to sports betting or already experienced, this guide will help you better understand how to analyze hockey games and identify potential betting opportunities.

Major Ice Hockey Competitions to Bet On

Before discussing betting strategies, it’s important to understand which leagues dominate the global hockey landscape.

National Hockey League (NHL)

The National Hockey League is the world’s premier professional hockey league, featuring 32 franchises across the United States and Canada.

Each team plays 82 regular-season games before competing in the playoffs for the legendary Stanley Cup.

For bettors, this means:

• games almost every day
• frequent back-to-back matchups
• heavy travel schedules

All of these factors can significantly impact team performance and create interesting betting opportunities.

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is the strongest league outside the NHL and features teams from Russia and several other countries.

Respect the goaltenders

Goaltenders are central in hockey betting. A mid-table team with an elite goalie in form can be far more dangerous than a “better” roster with average goaltending.
Always check who is confirmed to start, their recent save percentage and goals-against average, and whether they are on short rest. Goalie news alone can shift NHL betting lines significantly.

Monitor form, schedule and travel

The NHL schedule includes back‑to‑backs, long road trips and time-zone changes, all of which affect energy levels.
Look at winning and losing streaks, home/away splits and how a team performs late in trips. Sometimes the best decision is to fade a strong team in a bad scheduling spot instead of forcing them into your accumulator.

Pay attention to special teams (power play & penalty kill)

Special teams often decide close games. A team with an excellent power play and solid penalty kill has a real edge when games get tight and whistles become more frequent.
Check power play and penalty kill percentages, plus average penalties taken. A matchup between a disciplined team and a penalty-prone opponent can create nice opportunities on sides or totals.

Use bankroll management and look for value

Successful hockey betting is less about predicting every game correctly and more about consistently finding odds that are slightly higher than they should be based on your analysis.
Set a staking plan, avoid oversized bets on a single game, and be comfortable passing when you don’t see real value. Hockey is naturally volatile; structure and patience are what keep you in the game.