Hockey is one of the fastest, most unpredictable sports on the planet, and betting on it captures that same intensity. At Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, you can wager on countless NHL markets along with international leagues and global tournaments, giving you plenty of opportunities to get in on every shot, save, and goal.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your betting strategy on the ice, this guide will walk you through how hockey betting works at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.
Which hockey leagues can
I bet on at Hard Rock Bet?
Luckily for fans of the sport, Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook is not shy when it comes to its hockey offerings. In addition to a myriad of NHL markets, players can choose from a variety of international leagues as well as worldwide events like the Olympics.
NHL (National Hockey League)
When it comes to wagering on hockey, everything starts with the NHL. The National Hockey League is the highest level of professional hockey in the entire world, with franchises scattered across both the United States and Canada.
The NHL is made up of 32 teams, split evenly between the Eastern and Western Conferences. Each team plays an 82-game schedule every year, with half of those games taking place at home and the other half on the road. The season stretches from early October all the way through June, culminating with the iconic Stanley Cup Finals.
Night after night, the NHL offers hockey fans and bettors nonstop action. The combination of hard hits, fights on the ice, and the drama of playoff hockey makes the NHL one of the most intense leagues to wager on – and the options are plentiful at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.
International Hockey Leagues
While the NHL is the premier destination for professional hockey, there’s no shortage of action overseas. International leagues like the SHL (Sweden), Liiga (Finland), and others showcase their fair share of elite talent while providing hockey fans with additional betting opportunities. These leagues not only feature future NHL stars, but also give bettors a chance to wager on high-level hockey outside of North America.
The full list of international hockey leagues available for wagering at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook includes, but is not limited to:
- ICE Hockey League (Austria)
- OHL (Canada)
- WHL (Canada)
- Chance Liga (Czech)
- Extraliga (Czech)
- Superisligaen (Denmark)
- Liiga (Finland)
- DEL (Germany)
- LHHL (Latvia)
- Eliteserien (Norway)
- PZHL (Poland)
- Extraliga (Slovakia)
- Allsvenskan (Sweden)
- Swiss League (Switzerland)
Worldwide Competitions
Beyond league play, some of the most exciting hockey on the planet comes from global tournaments. The IIHF World Championship brings several national teams together from across the globe every spring, while the Olympic Games take the stage every four years. In both events, the stakes – and national pride – are at their absolute peak.
The 4 Nations Face-Off is another new tournament that was introduced by the NHL and NHLPA in 2025. Held during the league’s All-Star break, it brought together four powerhouse countries in the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland in a best-on-best competition featuring NHL stars only. The inaugural event was a huge success, showcasing the league’s elite talent and giving hockey fans a rare chance to see international rivals face off outside of the Olympics or World Championship.
What kind of hockey markets are available?
There are several different ways to wager on hockey games at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook. From simply picking Winners to an endless crop of player props, here’s a look into some of the most popular markets for hockey betting:
Winners (Moneyline)
Known as Winner bets at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, betting the moneyline in hockey is as simple as it gets: you just need to pick which team you believe will win the game outright. Your chosen team needs to secure the victory, no matter how they do it.
Let’s say the Tampa Bay Lightning are +115 on the moneyline against the Florida Panthers at -140:
- A $100 bet on the Lightning (+115) would return $115 in profit if they win, plus your initial $100 stake.
- You’d need to bet $140 on the Panthers (-140) to net $100 in profit if they win, in addition to your $140 stake.
The best part about betting the moneyline in hockey is that the NHL has no ties, so there is no chance that your bet can end in a push. Regular season games that head to overtime are eventually decided via shootout, while postseason games feature multiple overtime periods until they are settled.
Puck Lines
The puck line serves as hockey’s version of the point spread. Unlike other sports (football, basketball) where the spread changes from game to game, puck lines are almost always set at -1.5 goals for the favorite and +1.5 goals for the underdog. Since hockey is generally a low-scoring sport, this standard line helps level the playing field in matchups featuring heavy favorites, creating a more balanced and competitive betting market.
Let’s look at an example where the Edmonton Oilers are -1.5 at +135 odds on the puck line against the Chicago Blackhawks at +1.5 with -160 odds:
- For an Oilers -1.5 bet to win, they must win the game by two or more goals. A successful $100 wager would pay out $135 in profit.
- For the Blackhawks +1.5 to win, they can either lose by one goal or win the game outright. In this case, players would need to shell out $160 to win $100 in profit.
It’s also worth mentioning that puck lines are settled based on the final score, including overtime and shootouts. If you’re laying -1.5 goals, this means your bet can no longer win once the game goes to overtime – it’s sudden death and the next score automatically wins. Conversely, any bets on the +1.5 puck line are guaranteed to win once the game heads to OT thanks to the hook. It’s a double-edged sword.
Oh yeah, and don’t forget about last-second empty-netters. When a team pulls its goalie late in the game to try to tie things up, it often backfires – giving the other side an easy goal that can make or break your puck line bet.
Totals (Over/Under)
Totals, also known as over/unders, focus on the combined number of goals scored by both teams in a game. You’re wagering on whether the final score will be over or under the set line, which typically ranges from 5.5 to 6.5 goals. This number includes goals scored in overtime but not in shootouts.
Picture a game between the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins where the total is set at 5.5 goals:
- Bets on the Over win if the teams combine for 6 or more total goals.
- Bet on the Under win if the teams combine for 5 or fewer total goals.
Easy enough, right? Just remember: those empty-netters we discussed in the section above can and will affect over/under bets in the same way they do the puck line.
What kind of hockey props are offered?
Looking for more ways to get in on the action beyond the moneyline or puck line? Hockey prop bets allow you to zero in on specific outcomes, from team milestones to player statistics. Whether it’s how many goals the Florida Panthers will score or how many points Matthew Tkachuk will rack up, hockey props give every play a little extra meaning.
Game props
Game props focus on events that happen during the matchup itself – not just who wins or loses. Players can wager on markets such as total goals in the first period, whether the game will go to overtime, or even which team will score first.
For example, if the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames are squaring off, you could wager on whether both teams will find the back of the net in the first period.
Team props
Team props center around a specific team’s performance rather than having both sides involved. For example, you could back the Las Vegas Golden Knights to score over 3.5 goals or the Ottawa Senators to record more shots on goal than their opponent.
Other popular team props include wagering on whether a team will win a specific period, score the first goal, or record more saves. These bets are perfect for players who have a strong read on one team’s style of play or current form.
Player Props
Easily the most popular type of prop bet, player props highlight the stars. Players at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook can wager on props such as Sam Bennett to record 2+ points, Auston Matthews to score a goal, or Sergei Bobrovsky to record more than 27.5 saves. These bets are extremely fun and allow players to cash in even when the game itself may be out of reach.
Here are a few more examples of player props you’ll find at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook:
- Anytime Goal Scorer: Bet on a player to light the lamp at any point in the game.
- Player Points (Over/Under): Wager on how many total points (goals + assists) a player will record.
- Shots on Goal: Bet on how active a player will be offensively, measured by total shots.
- Goaltender Saves: Predict how many saves a goalie will make during the game.
- Player Assists: Wager on whether a playmaker will rack up helpers.
- Player to Score the First Goal: A higher-risk, higher-reward wager on which player will open up the game’s scoring.
Can I bet hockey futures at Hard Rock Bet?
You sure can. If you’re interested in playing the long game, hockey futures are offered at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook and the options are abundant. From predicting the Stanley Cup champion to betting on individual player awards, futures give bettors a reason to stay invested all season long.
Popular hockey futures currently on the board at Hard Rock Bet include:
- Stanley Cup Winner: Pick which team will hoist the Cup at season’s end.
- Conference Winners: Bet on which team will represent their conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.
- Division Winners: Select the team you think will come out on top in their respective division.
- Regular Season Point Totals: Wager on whether a team will go over or under its projected season-long point total.
- Player Awards: Predict which players will capture the Hart Trophy (MVP), Vezina Trophy (Top Goalie), or Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year).
- Team Playoff Futures: Bet on whether a team will make or miss the postseason.
Futures odds update daily throughout the season based on team performance, injuries, and betting activity – timing matters. Lock in your picks early for bigger payouts on long-shots, or watch the odds shift as the season heats up.
Whether you’re backing Connor McDavid to win MVP or the Florida Panthers to make another title run, futures bets make every game meaningful from opening night until the Stanley Cup Final.
How can I place hockey bets at Hard Rock Bet?
Now that you have a strong understanding of the different ways to wager on hockey, it’s time to put that knowledge into action. Placing bets on hockey is a seamless process at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook:
- Step 1: Head over to the ‘Discover’ tab on the Hard Rock Bet mobile app or desktop website.
- Step 2: Select Hockey to view all of the available leagues in your state.
- Step 3: Once you’ve selected your preferred league, click on any game to browse the full menu of betting options.
- Step 4: Tap the odds to add the selection to your bet slip.
- Step 5: Enter your preferred bet amount, make sure everything looks good and lock in your wager!
Keep in mind that you can always reference the Hard Rock Bet Stats Hub before confirming any bets to check on performance trends, historical info and head-to-head matchup data.
Earn more with every hockey wager at Hard Rock Bet
That’s right: every single hockey wager placed at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook will earn you Unity Points, which effectively elevate your status within the brand. In addition to climbing the tier ladder, Unity Points can also be redeemed at Hard Rock properties all over the map, from hotels to casinos and everything in between.
What’s more, every bet you make on the ice will also contribute to your weekly Legendary Reward Drops. Earn credits with every wager placed, boost your level, and crack open that guitar case in your Rewards tab every Thursday for improved perks and bonuses.
FAQ about hockey betting
Still have some questions about betting on hockey? We’ve got you covered.
What’s the difference between the moneyline and the puck line?
Betting the moneyline involves picking which team will win the game outright, while the puck line (typically set at 1.5 goals) serves as a point spread to even out lopsided matchups.
Simply put, the puck line favorite (Panthers -1.5, for example) must win the game by 2 or more goals. The puck line underdog (Lightning +1.5) can either win the game outright or lose by just 1 goal in order for bets to cash.
With the moneyline, there is no required margin of victory. As long as the team you pick comes out victorious, you’re a winner.
Do hockey bets at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook include overtime or shootouts?
Yes. Unless otherwise stated, most hockey wagers (puck line, moneyline, and totals) are graded based on the game’s final score, including overtime or shootouts.
Can I place live (in-play) hockey bets at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook?
Yes. Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook offers a wide selection of live betting markets for hockey, with odds updating in real time as games play out.
Are Same Game Parlays available for hockey?
Yes. Players at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook have the ability to combine several markets from the same hockey game into one big Same Game Parlay. From winners and totals to player props, the options to parlay are endless.
Which states can bet on NHL games?
Every single active Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook state can wager on NHL games. These states include:
