Betting on hockey is an excellent opportunity for Canadian sports fans to turn one of their biggest passions into real money winnings. Sports betting in Canada is legal, and there are dozens of excellent betting sites where you can make safe wagers and have a rewarding experience.
We’ve done the challenging work for you by selecting the best hockey betting sites that have met the highest standards for legal sports betting in Canada. On top of that, they’ve also been thoroughly tested for security, fair odds, diverse betting markets and smooth payouts. Go through our list below to find an online sportsbook that’s the perfect fit for your style and start the betting action.
With the legalization of the sports betting market in Canada, local bettors gained access to numerous online sports betting sites. There’s only the question of how to find the best betting sites, and that’s where we come in. We know what matters most to sports bettors, so we tested the platforms for key features using our proven set of criteria. Every site on our list is legal and packed with features for a complete and satisfying betting experience. Check out the methods we use to rate ice hockey betting sites.
Bonuses and Promotions
The best ice hockey betting sites carry a strong selection of bonuses and promotions for both new and returning Canadian users. The betting scene is packed with flashy welcome offers, but we review the wagering requirements to find which deals provide real value. Our selected platforms feature many regular promo offers like free bets, cashback offers, reloaded bonuses and more.
We favour sites with special offers for hockey bettors, which include enhanced parlay odds and boosted payouts on selected NHL matches.
Payments
Canadian hockey bettors require payment options that are fast, secure, and convenient at the same time. That’s not an issue on these legal platforms where you can find trusted options like credit and debit cards, Interac bank transfers, and e-wallets. They are all present on these platforms, catering to different preferences. Each method offers something slightly different, and we find sites that have a variety of choices.
Bet Limits
Sports betting on hockey can turn out to be profitable for Canadian users, but sportsbooks take precautions to protect themselves from sharp bettors who take advantage of niche markets. We make sure that the limits are fair and not too restrictive so that both casual and professional bettors can take part on the best ice hockey betting sites and feel welcome.
Competitive Hockey Odds
We compare top betting sites to find the best value on the market. Starting with the NHL betting odds we check the offer during the regular season and the playoffs to discover the best online betting odds on their favourite leagues. To find the most competitive offers, we check various markets, including moneylines, player props, puck lines and futures.
The depth of betting markets also matters, especially for hockey bettors who want access to other sports betting options like various European leagues and international tournaments.
Live Betting
Canadian hockey fans love the fast pace of the game, and live betting keeps them in the action. A top sportsbook needs to have strong live betting options available and to offer markets like moneyline, puck line, and totals with real-time odds and quick bet placement. We test how well these top betting sites handle live betting, from odds updates to market variety.
How to Bet on Hockey
Joining hockey betting sites in Canada has never been easier. Our recommended sportsbooks offer a user-friendly approach with easy navigation and mobile apps for betting on the go, with optimization for iOS and Android devices. Here’s a quick rundown of the steps to place your first hockey wagers:
Compare odds – All the sites on the list feature solid or competitive odds, but the betting lines on specific markets will vary. Some sites offer higher odds on futures, while others excel in popular markets like moneylines and puck lines.
Choose one – Once you find a sportsbook with competitive odds and strong features, select it as your betting platform.
Sign up – Register for an account by clicking the “Sign Up” button. You’ll need to provide basic details like your name, email, and preferred payment method.
Make a deposit – Choose a payment method and fund your account using Interac, credit/debit cards, e-wallets, or other available banking options.
Pick the games (and leagues) to bet on – Choose leagues and games you’re the most knowledgeable about, NHL games, international tournaments, or junior leagues based on your preference—have the upper hand by making informed betting decisions.
Choose your bet type – Find the wager that suits your betting style, whether it’s a moneyline, puck line, totals, props, or parlays.
Place your bet – Enter your stake and submit your bet slip.
Collect your winnings – When your bet wins, the winnings are automatically credited to your account. You can withdraw the funds and leave a part of the funds to use on new bets.
Hockey Leagues and Events to Bet On
Exciting hockey action is available year-round, and for Canadian bettors, there’s no shortage of leagues and tournaments to wager on. These online betting sites feature everything from professional leagues in North America to international showdowns, guaranteeing a steady flow of betting opportunities.
NHL Betting
The world’s greatest hockey league has an 82-game schedule for each of the 32 teams across the US and Canada during the regular season alone. But that’s just part of the action for the National Hockey League because when the playoffs start, you can find the best NHL promotions and the best NHL odds.
It’s the league’s fast pace and high-scoring potential that makes it a favourite among bettors, with markets available for every game, including moneyline, puck line, totals, NHL futures and player props on some of the best talent in the sports.
Other Canadian Leagues
Sportsbooks in Canada offer a wide variety of betting options beyond the NHL. Canada boasts some of the strongest junior and professional leagues, which also offer great betting opportunities.
Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is a developmental league that features the top domestic talent. The competition consists of the regular season and the playoff, with three junior ice hockey leagues:
Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Western Hockey League (WHL)
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
There’s also the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which replaced the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) as Canada’s top women’s professional league and is drawing increased betting interest. However, betting markets remain limited as the league continues to establish itself and expand its offerings.
Stanley Cup Playoffs
With the Stanley Cup playoffs, the best sportsbooks, the betting kicks a gear. As teams battle through four best-of-seven rounds, the best sportsbooks offer extensive markets, including these popular bets:
Series winner bets – Wagering on which team will advance to the next round.
Game-by-game betting – Moneyline, puck line, and totals for each matchup.
Overtime and shootout wagers – Predicting whether a game will go beyond regulation.
The playoffs also introduce unique betting options, including Conn Smythe Trophy bets (awarded to the MVP of the playoffs), exact series outcome predictions, and correct score markets for the Stanley Cup Final.
It’s also the time when NHL futures on the league champion come to a conclusion, and bettors who placed their wagers earlier in the season have another exciting opportunity.
IIHF World Championship
The IIHF World Championship is one of the most prestigious international hockey tournaments, featuring national teams from around the globe. The tournament takes place each spring and attracts NHL players whose teams have missed the playoffs, as well as players from major European hockey leagues like the SHL and the KHL. Sportsbooks in Canada offer diverse opportunities, including:
Outright tournament winner
Group stage betting
Individual game bets on goals, puck lines, and props
The mix of established players and rising talent creates unique betting angles for NHL fans and makes the IIHF World Championship an exciting tournament.
Canada vs. USA Rivalry
Few national team matchups generate more excitement than Canada vs. the USA. The neighbourhood rivalry for the best team in North America takes many forms.
The World Women’s Ice Hockey Championship, between Canada and the USA, always brings excitement despite the current lower standing of the two teams on the international stage.
The Winter Olympics, where men’s teams battle for national pride and a place on the medal podium.
NHL 4 Nations Face-off tournament, which continues in the footsteps of the World Cup of Hockey, where sports fans have the opportunity to watch the finest NHL talent take the ice for their national team.
Bettors love these games due to their unpredictability and high-scoring potential. Popular markets include correct scores, puck line bets, and player performance props.
Popular Hockey Bets to Place
The best sports betting platforms in Canada cater to casual and professional bettors with a variety of betting options. Whatever you prefer—betting on the outcome of the match, prop betting or futures, finding opportunities on these selected platforms should be a breeze.
It’s not just the NHL lines that are on offer; the best sports betting sites show deep markets in top leagues like the SHL and KHL and all major international competitions. Below are some of the most common hockey bets, along with examples of how they work.
Moneyline Betting
A straightforward bet with only two possible outcomes, moneyline is popular among casual bettors who are supporting their team. Still, it’s also one of the main choices for serious bettors who prefer parlay betting. Just pick a hockey team you predict will be the outright winner. It doesn’t matter if the match is decided after regular play or overtime; your bet still stands.
A lower decimal odd means the team is favoured, and a higher decimal means the team is the underdog. For example, if there’s a match between the Toronto Maple Leafs (1.70) and the Vancouver Canucks (2.20), a $10 bet on Toronto can bring you back $17, including the stake, while betting the same amount on the Canucks can bring a few dollars more—$22.
Puck Line Betting
Just like betting on point spreads in basketball, you can bet on puck lines in hockey. With these wagers, a simple win is not enough—the team you’re betting on needs to cover the spread. This is a great bet when there’s an uneven match-up and a moneyline wouldn’t be bringing much value.
If you bet that team A, the favourite, is going to cover the -1.5 spread, they need to win with a 2-goal difference or more. When you have a strong favourite the moneyline odds would not be enticing enough, but you’d find the value with the puck line.
First Period Betting
Period betting can be just as rewarding as wagering on the full game. Most markets, like moneylines, puck lines and totals, are available, with the betting lines adjusted to the shorter format. Some teams have a fast start, while others need time to settle into the game. If you’re successful in predicting the tempo the match is going to take, you could find great value with these bets.
Prop Bets (Player & Team Props)
The final outcome of a game is not the only thing you can focus on; prop bets allow you to wager on a specific player or team performances. These bets are ideal for those who closely follow individual players or team trends. As an example, the most popular hockey prop bets include:
Player goal prop – You’re betting if a certain player will score over/under 1.5 goals in a game.
Player assists prop – Wagering on whether a player will record over/under 0.5 assists.
Team props – Betting on whether a team will score over/under 3.5 total goals, convert a power play, or score first.
These markets provide extra flexibility, making them a great option for bettors who analyze player form, ice time, and team strategies.
Grand Salami
An over/under bet that’s a hockey betting tradition, the Grand Salami is not a hockey exclusive but is highly popular among Canadian bettors, especially NHL fans on days with a full slate of games. It’s a seemingly simple wager, but you need to study the offering carefully if you want to make it successful. Some match days are going to be high-scoring, while others could be more focused on the defence.
Exclusive Bonuses and Promos for Hockey Betting in Canada
Hockey bettors can take advantage of a variety of bonuses and promotions designed specifically for betting on NHL games and international tournaments. Here are some of the most common bonuses available at the best betting sites in Canada:
Free bets on hockey markets – These sites offer exclusive online hockey betting promos like free bets that allow you to place wagers on hockey markets without risking your own money. Promos are often tied to a specific match.
Hockey parlay bonuses – Bettors who enjoy parlays should know there are special promos that can increase your parlay payouts. Some sportsbooks give enhanced odds on your parlays by increasing the odds as you add more legs to your betting slip.
Enhanced odds – Boosted odds on high-profile games, usually on pre-selected markets like for star players to score or specific game outcomes.
Bet insurance for NHL bets – Best ice hockey betting sites often offer this feature, which allows them to secure their bets. If one leg of your NHL parlay loses, the sportsbooks will give you a refund in the form of a free bet.
NHL playoff promotions – Special promos during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, such as risk-free bets on overtime markets, cashback on losing bets, and profit boosts on playoff matchups.
Hockey-specific deposit bonuses – Some sites offer exclusive deposit match bonuses for bettors who deposit and wager on hockey. These are often available during the start of the NHL season or major tournaments.
During the biggest games of the season, these bonuses help you find the best hockey betting odds, make betting more exciting and offer extra value.
Bet on the Net on the Top Canadian Sportsbooks
Canadian bettors have access to legal and regulated online sportsbooks, which offer a secure and reliable experience both using a computer or mobile sports betting apps. Hockey betting sites in Canada provide a variety of markets, strong odds and fast transactions. Bettors can choose from NHL, international leagues, and junior competitions, with options like moneyline, puck line, and player props readily available.
With trusted payment methods and fair promotions, top Canadian sportsbooks offer flexibility for casual and serious bettors, making it straightforward to choose the best sportsbook for your betting needs.
Hockey Betting Sites FAQs
Yes, hockey betting sites are legal in Canada. Provinces regulate online sports betting, with Ontario offering a fully licensed market. Bettors across Canada can legally wager at government-run platforms or offshore sportsbooks that accept Canadian players.
There is no single best hockey betting site, as it depends on personal preferences. The top sites offer competitive odds on NHL, a variety of betting markets, strong bonuses, and fast payouts. Always choose a legal hockey betting site that is trusted by Canadian bettors.
Yes, sportsbooks offer extensive betting options for the latest NHL playoffs, including moneylines, puck lines, and totals. The best NHL betting sites offer special playoff promotions, such as odds boosts and parlay insurance,which may also be available.
Hockey betting sites offer a variety of wagers, including moneyline, puck line, over/under totals, first-period betting, player props, and Grand Salami bets covering all games on a given day.
Yes, live betting is available for NHL and other hockey leagues. In-play markets include updated moneylines, puck lines, and totals, as well as game and player props that adjust based on the action.
Most sportsbooks accept Interac, credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill, and even cryptocurrencies at select sites. Withdrawals typically take 24 to 72 hours, depending on the method.
Yes, betting sites in Canada provide various hockey-specific bonuses, such as free bets, parlay boosts, and deposit match offers. Some also run promotions tied to major tournaments like the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the IIHF World Championship.
A puck line is hockey’s version of a point spread. The favorite must win by at least two goals (-1.5), while the underdog can lose by one goal (+1.5) and still cover the bet.
It depends on your betting strategy. Pre-game bets allow for deeper research and better odds stability, while live betting offers real-time adjustments based on game flow and momentum.
Yes, in addition to the NHL, sportsbooks offer betting markets for international competitions like the KHL, SHL, Champions Hockey League, and the IIHF World Championship.
