NHL
Best NHL Betting Odds - Bet on NHL with Rivalry
Welcome to the chilling yet hot, action-packed world of the National Hockey League (NHL). Armed with sticks, skates, and a gritty determination, athletes take to the ice and collide to dominate their competition and emerge victorious.
With their calculated passes, grace, and sheer finesse, hockey fans will be on the edge of their seats, struggling to take their eyes off the action. The NHL isn’t just a game; it’s a classic legacy passed that has united generations of fans, young and old, for an unforgettable experience on a frozen stage. The NHL always delivers an electric atmosphere whether you’re watching in-person or online through live streams or on television.
The NHL playoffs started on April 17, and the finals are swiftly approaching, beginning on May 18. The time for betting predictions, nail-biting excitement and live wagering is at hand! Join Rivalry and watch legends be made, where we have the best NHL betting odds and expert betting tips.
NHL History
The National Hockey League, NHL for short, is a professional ice hockey league established in 1917 in Montreal, Canada. The league initially began with just four teams: the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Arenas. It has since become one of the four major professional sports leagues in the USA and Canada, alongside the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
The league has since expanded significantly, boasting 32 teams. There are around 24 teams based in the United States, while the remaining 7 are based in Canada. The NHL is divided into two conferences, The Eastern and the Western. Each conference is subsequently separated into two divisions.
The NHL has a rich and fabled history and continues to be enjoyed by millions of fans worldwide as they tune in to catch the action on the ice. Some of the best teams in NHL history are Montreal Canadiens, who have won the Stanley Cup a record number of 24 times; Toronto Maple Leafs, who have taken home the trophy 13 times; and Boston Bruins, who have won six times and have produced some of the most legendary players and memorable moments in NHL history.
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NHL Teams
32 teams typically compete in the regular season NHL, with new teams being added or removed every year.
There are two conferences, Eastern and Western, which are then separated into two divisions with eight teams. The Eastern Conference has the Metropolitan and Atlantic Divisions, while the Western Conference has the Central and Pacific Divisions.
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- New Jersey Devils
- New York Islanders
- New York Rangers
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Washington Capitals
Atlantic Division
- Boston Bruins
- Buffalo Sabres
- Detroit Red Wings
- Florida Panthers
- Montreal Canadiens
- Ottawa Senators
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Toronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference
Central Division
- Arizona Coyotes
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Colorado Avalanche
- Dallas Stars
- Minnesota Wild
- Nashville Predators
- St. Louis Blues
- Winnipeg Jets
Pacific Division
- Anaheim Ducks
- Calgary Flames
- Edmonton Oilers
- Los Angeles Kings
- San Jose Sharks
- Seattle Kraken
- Vancouver Canucks
- Vegas Golden Knights
NHL Playoff Teams
This is the eighth year in which the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs, alongside two wild cards from each conference. This totals eight playoff teams from each for 16 teams in total.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
- Boston Bruins - 135 points
- Toronto Maple Leafs - 111 points
- Tampa Bay Lightning - 98 points
Metropolitan Division
- Carolina Hurricanes - 113 points
- New Jersey Devils - 112 points
- New York Rangers - 107 points
Wild Cards
- New York Islanders - 93 points
- Florida Panthers - 92 points
Western Conference
Central Division
- Colorado Avalanche - 109 points
- Dallas Stars - 108 points
- Minnesota Wild - 103 points
Pacific Division
- Vegas Golden Knights - 111 points
- Edmonton Oilers - 109 points
- Los Angeles Kings - 104 points
Wild Cards
- Seattle Kraken - 100 points
- Winnipeg Jets - 95 points
NHL Playoff Bracket Schedule
First Round - Eastern Conference
- Boston Bruins Vs. Florida Panthers - 3-4
- Toronto Maple Leafs Vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - 4-2
- Carolina Hurricanes Vs. New York Islanders - 4-2
- New Jersey Devils Vs. New York Rangers - 4-3
First Round - Western Conference
- Colorado Avalanche Vs. Seattle Kraken - 3-4
- Dallas Stars Vs. Minnesota Wild - 4-2
- Vegas Golden Knights Vs. Winnipeg Jets - 4-1
- Edmonton Oilers Vs. Los Angeles Kings - 4-2
Second Round - Eastern Conference
- Florida Panthers Vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - 4-1
- Carolina Hurricanes Vs. New Jersey Devils - 4-1
Second Round - wESTERN Conference
- Seattle Kraken Vs. Dallas Stars - 3-4
- Vegas Golden Knights Vs. Edmonton Oilers - 4-2
Conference Finals
- (May 18-30): Florida Panthers Vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- (May 19 - 31): Dallas Stars Vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Stanley Cup Finals
- TBD
Bet on NHL games with Rivalry
At Rivalry, we are the trailblazers in the betting world, setting the bar high for our customers. Aside from NHL, we provide tons of traditional sports betting options, from football to boxing, so you have your run of the field! That’s not all - we boast tons of esports titles, too, including CS:GO and League of Legends!
Our site will support you with all of your betting needs and requirements. We offer a generous welcome bonus for all new accounts and a 24/7 responsive live chat for all your questions and queries.
Get involved in the NHL betting action today with Rivalry, and wager on any live NHL game with us using our different betting markets.
Types of NHL Betting
- NHL Moneyline Bets - Moneyline odds allow you to bet on which team will win the game and is the most accessible betting market.
- NHL Spread Betting - Point spread betting or a puck line is where the favorite team will be given a -1.5 puck line while the underdog is given a +1.5 puck line. The favorite must win by two or more goals to cover the puckline spread. For example, a team can lose 3-2 overall but still win on a 1.5 puckline. Whether the underdog wins or loses, you can still come away from the game with a bag of winnings!
- NHL Player Prop Bets - This bet is where you wager on a specific player-based stat of their overall performance. This can include assists, shots, or even saves.
- NHL Futures Betting - Rivalry are pleased to offer NHL futures, where you can bet on future outcomes like the Stanley Cup Championship, To Win Outright, select NHL Player Futures, and more! You can bet on these ahead of time, from before the season begins to the end of the season.
Our NHL Predictions
There are several top teams that we think will thrive in the NHL playoff rounds, and will have a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup in in 2023.
The Florida Panthers have had strong results in the regular season, with a reasonable success rate. They made it through to the playoffs as a wild card, could this be the year they take home their first Stanley Cup?
Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights are also two top teams, and are definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Free NHL Betting Tips
Our online learning resource, Rivalry Academy, offers everything you need to know about the betting world - perfect for newcomers and betting experts alike. Remember to always gamble responsibly, and never bet more than you are willing to lose.
We've got you covered, from budgeting your bankroll to learning how to read our betting odds.
If you want to get involved in the NHL betting world, look no further than these free NHL betting tips below to help you get started.
Follow pundits. They’re called the experts for a reason! Pay attention to trustworthy commentators and top names in the NHL scene. They may have opinions and perspectives you may not have considered before and can help you make more informed bets.
Research! Before picking a team or player to bet on, the best thing you can do is dig into each team and its player roster. Gauge their success rates, histories and stats before placing any wagers.
Know your sport! It goes without saying that you should know the sport you’re betting on. Research the sport, its rules, history, and locations. This can help you gain an edge over other bettors who tend to bet willy-nilly.
Keep an eye on betting markets. We’ve listed all the available NHL betting markets above - scroll up again if you’ve forgotten. There can be great value in some less popular markets, allowing you to bag great winnings!
FAQs about NHL Betting
Is betting on NHL legal?
All betting done with Rivalry is entirely legal and 100% safe. We are an online sportsbook registered and governed under the Isle of Man Supervision Commission.
How does NHL betting work?
NHL computer picks are calculated by an algorithm highlighting the best betting markets and NHL odds for customers. The computer bases its selections on the data about teams and their respective players before a game. It attempts to predict the game’s outcome based on the raw information available.
Who are the favorites in NHL tonight?
The favorite in an NHL game is indicated by a minus sign in moneyline odds. If both teams have a minus sign, the favourite is the team with the largest negative number.
What are the odds for the NHL playoffs?
The odds fluctuate throughout the NHL regular season, so watch our NHL betting page for more details! The NHL playoffs began on April 17, with the end date yet TBC.
What is a puckline bet?
A puckline bet is the hockey/NHL version of a point spread - you are not betting on the outright winner. The favorite must cover the spread, which is -1.5 in most cases, winning by at least two. The underdog (+1.5) can lose by as much as 1 and cover.
