The Best NHL Sportsbooks for April 2024

Hockey, particularly the NHL, holds a special place in the hearts of many sports enthusiasts in the United States and Canada. With its rich history and passionate fan base, hockey betting offers a dynamic and thrilling experience for bettors.

History of Hockey Betting

• Early Days: Betting on hockey dates back to the early 20th century, coinciding with the sport's rise in popularity.
• NHL's Emergence: The formation of the NHL in 1917 brought more structured opportunities for betting.

Major Hockey Leagues for Betting

• NHL: The premier league in North America, featuring teams from both the USA and Canada.
• Kontinental Hockey League (KHL): Russia's top league, which also features teams from several Eurasian countries, known for its high level of play.
• Swedish Hockey League (SHL): Sweden's top-tier league, noted for its competitive teams and producing NHL talent.
• Finnish Liiga: Finland's primary hockey league, renowned for its skilled players and tactical gameplay.
• American Hockey League (AHL): A developmental league for the NHL, providing betting opportunities on rising stars.

There are hundreds of hockey games throughout the year with tens of thousands of betting markets available. Here are some of the most popular: 

• Moneyline Bets: Betting on which team will win a game.
• Puck Line Bets: Hockey’s version of a point spread; typically set at 1.5 goals.
• Over/Under (Totals) Bets: Wagering on the total number of goals scored by both teams.
• Prop Bets: Bets on individual player performances, like the number of goals or assists.
• Futures Bets: Betting on future outcomes, such as which team will win the Stanley Cup.

Interesting Markets in Hockey Betting

• International Tournaments: Events like the Winter Olympics and the World Championships offer additional betting opportunities.
• Seasonal Trends: Understanding how teams perform at different points in the season, like post-All-Star break or during playoff pushes.
• Specialty Bets: Unique bets like which player will score the first goal, or how many power-play goals a team will score.