The 2025/26 NHL season looks to be another action-packed campaign – especially after last year's drama. The Florida Panthers return as back-to-back Stanley Cup winners, and all eyes will be on whether they can deliver a third consecutive title. The Winnipeg Jets, who ended up claiming the Presidents' Trophy last season, will also be keen to prove they carry that form into the playoffs – and with star players remaining in the heat of the action, there's likely to be a lot of action on the rink.
Intensifying matters is the fact that several teams come into 2025/26 under pressure. The Colorado Avalanche have some top-tier talent but need to overcome their recent postseason disappointments. Meanwhile, in Toronto, the departure of the right winger has left a big question mark over the ability of the Maple Leafs.
There's also a lot of new, emerging talent coming into the season – although the potential departure of some legends means fans will have to keep up with the rotating rosters!
The Betsson sportsbook offers fair and competitive NHL odds across all regular-season and playoff matches. The NHL is the biggest ice hockey competition in the world, where the best players lace up their skates and vie for the famous Stanley Cup. Follow the season every step of the way with Betsson's wide range of options to bet NHL.
NHL Odds Tips
The National Hockey League (NHL) is the top ice hockey league in the world, having started in 1917. One of the most renowned eras in NHL history is the 'Original Six,' which ran from 1942 to 1967. It featured the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As interest in the competition grew, naturally, the Original Six expanded, and in today's modern game, there are now 32 NHL franchises. While the NHL is a North American league, players of multiple nationalities play in it with the dream of winning the Stanley Cup, the most coveted trophy in ice hockey.
The most successful NHL team of all time remains the legendary Montreal Canadiens. The Habs are the only team to have won at least 20 Stanley Cup titles, with their 2021 crown taking their total to 24. Besides them, only the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs have recorded at least ten.
How to Bet on NHL
Here are the essential factors to pay attention to when you want to bet on ice hockey:
Home-Ice Advantage
One of the most significant factors is home-ice advantage. NHL teams tend to play much better in their home arena. So, when sizing up a match, pay close attention to who has home ice—it could make a difference.
Injuries
Injuries and starting line-ups are another crucial thing to watch for in NHL betting. Hockey is a physically intense game, so injuries happen constantly. If a team's best scorer or goalie goes down, it can completely disrupt their chemistry and hurt their chances of winning.
Elite Goaltending
An elite goalie can single-handedly steal games and series for their team. If one team has a significant edge in outstanding goaltending, that could impact your betting decisions.
Popular NHL Betting Markets
Betsson covers every angle of the season, from the long-term pre-season outrights to live bets. Here are some of the most popular NHL betting markets, which can also be found for ice hockey championship odds at Betsson.
Outright
The 'Outright' is one of the most straightforward NHL betting markets, betting on which team will win the game. 'Outright' NHL odds show the favourite with lower odds and the underdog with higher odds.
Total Goals
An over/under bet on the total combined goals scored in a game. The 'Over/Under' is usually set around 5.5 or 6.5 goals; variations include the total goals in a period or scored by a particular team.
Puck Line
The 'Puck Line' is hockey's version of handicapping. This NHL betting option requires the favourite to win by more than the selected number, usually -1.5 goals, while an underdog could get a +1.5 goal head start.
Period Betting
Instead of betting on the full game, period betting allows you to bet on the outcome of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd period only. Many NHL betting tips revolve around period betting, as it allows you to adjust your betting strategy in accordance with how the match is going and which teams appear strong.
First Goalscorer/Anytime Goalscorer
If you're looking to bet on NHL markets – but don't want to take too much risk – then 'First Goalscorer' or 'Anytime Goalscorer' could be for you. Here, you're simply betting on which player will score first in a game – or backing someone to score at any time.
Winning Margin
In the 'Winning Margin' market, you're betting on the exact goal difference between the two sides. For example, you might predict that a team will win by exactly one goal or by +2 goals. This market is popular because many tight odds NHL games are often decided by just one goal, so it's ideal for those wanting fast-paced betting.
Live Betting (In-Play)
Hockey is one of the fastest sports in the world, and this makes it perfect for live betting. Because odds are always shifting, this ties in perfectly with hockey; one minute, a team can offer short odds, and just seconds later, a power play or late goal may mean there are long odds available – ideal for value bettors!
NHL Betting Tips
Predicting NHL games can be challenging, but statistics can lend a helping hand for pre-match and live odds. Click on any match listing for NHL odds to get in-depth statistics ranging from head-to-head markets, scoring form, latest results, and standings.
Manage your betting balance by having a strategy for NHL betting, from planned options on outrights like the 'Eastern Conference Winners' to backing a team to win the series by a correct score in NHL playoff odds. For further insights, look for great previews on the Betsson blog.
Why Bet on the NHL at Betsson?
Betsson is your home for regular season and NHL playoffs betting, as we cover every match and series with in-depth markets. We are a licensed and regulated platform backed by eCOGRA as a safe and fair online sportsbook.
Along with our 24/7 customer support, should you need assistance, all transactions made with us are secured by high-end encryption. You can use any of our quick, safe payment options on desktop or mobile to manage your account. Your data is safely stored, and we also support responsible gambling with various tools.
