Top NHL Betting Sites

bestbonusbets.com

By Bryce Derouin

With the hard hits and exhilarating up-and-down action on the ice, the NHL is one of the most fast-paced of the major sports leagues. The up-tempo excitement can make NHL hockey appealing to bet on. Mobile wagering on the latest NHL betting odds and NHL futures is available from the growing number of online sportsbooks in Michigan as well as in-person at the three Detroit commercial casinos and at any tribal casino within the state.

How We Picked the Best NHL Betting Sites

We put each sportsbook through a comprehensive review process to make sure every bettor’s money is not just safe and protected but that they get the most out of their NHL hockey betting experience. We evaluate each site and betting app on the following:

Licensing & Reputation: Every legal sportsbook in Michigan is required to operate under license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board. We ensure each sportsbook on our list meets this requirement.

Variety of Options: Our team thoroughly reviews the betting options sportsbooks make available. We review the different wagering types, including moneylines, puck lines, NHL futures and totals and include only the best sportsbooks that give their bettors a wide range of options with competitive odds.

Ease of Registration: Every new bettor wants a smooth sign-up and deposit process. That’s why we personally sign up at each of the Michigan online sportsbooks in order to verify it’s a user-friendly process for new players.

Banking Options: Speed and accuracy are two important factors when it comes to a sportsbook’s payment system. Our team meticulously reviews the depositing and withdrawal process at each of the Michigan sportsbooks so you can choose an NHL betting site and have peace of mind about your money.

Software & Security: We recommend only the most user-friendly and secure Michigan sportsbooks. Navigating menus should not be a concern whether you choose to play on your phone, computer or other mobile device.

Customer Service: If any concerns arise, we want to make sure you will be taken care of by an effective and caring customer service team. We check each sportsbook’s responsiveness and make sure they are willing to assist bettors through email, live chat or by phone.

Bonuses and Boosts: Michigan bettors can expect numerous boosted odds and promotions as sportsbooks launch within the state. We track the best bonuses, boosts and other promotions at each of the sportsbooks, so you can be sure you’re getting the best bonuses.

Is NHL Betting Legal in Michigan?

Yes, NHL betting became legal in December 2019 when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of gambling bills that legalized sports gambling in Michigan.

Benefits of NHL Betting in Michigan

Michigan is one of just over a dozen states to offer legalized mobile sports betting along with in-person sports wagering. The state’s progressive stance on gaming makes it a premier location for players to wager on the NHL.

With the NHL, there is a betting option for just about every sports gambler. You can expect to bet on moneylines, futures, total and puck lines, plus player and team props. And with games throughout the week, there’s something for every NHL fan to bet on.

Signing Up to Bet on NHL Games

After finding an NHL betting site and bonus offer that interests you, be sure to read our review. Then, click on the link and you will be directed to the sportsbook’s website. Click on “register” to start the sign-up process. You will be asked to provide an email address before selecting a password and username. An ID verification process follows where you will be required to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number and proof of your address.

Once you decide to make your first deposit, a copy of your driver’s license or passport may be required to verify your identity. After the initial deposit and taking advantage of a welcome bonus offer, new player can start betting on the NHL. Just select the NHL from the league list in the betting app or on the website.

NHL Bets to Make in Michigan

Before a season starts, futures bets are extremely popular. Among the options you will find are bets on who will win the Stanley Cup, each division, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner or who will make the playoffs. Bettors can also take the over or under on a team’s individual win total for the season. Futures bets are available throughout the NHL season, with odds shifting constantly. The best value can often be found early.

During the season, you will also be able to bet on every NHL game. Typical bets offers: moneyline (picking the outright winner), totals (combined goals of the two teams) and puck line, which is the hockey bet equivalent of a point spread but with a twist. More on that in a little bit. You will also find player and team prop bets, such as first team to score and whether a specific player will score.

Popular NHL Events to Bet On

During the season, the marquee events include the Winter Classic, held outdoors on January 1, and the annual All-Star Game. NHL playoff action, which culminates with the Stanley Cup Final, always enjoys a surge in betting action. In addition to individual game action, bettors can wager on who will win each playoff series and in how many games.

Marquee games televised by NBC Sports can also see plenty of betting action, especially games showcased on the weekend. NBC Sports Network regularly carries games for its weekly “Wednesday Night Hockey” coverage in which the network will televise the best games of the week.

NHL Betting Tips to Consider

For NHL handicappers, there is more to break down than just the odds. Some things they do:

Analyze Schedules: Hockey is a physically demanding sport where regular physical contact and the stress of skating at high speeds can take a toll on the body. That’s why it’s important to consider a team’s recent schedule before placing a bet. If a team is playing its second game of a back-to-back or on a brutal stretch such as its third game in four days, fatigue may play a factor in the team’s performance. It also impacts which goalie might start.

Line Matchups: Hockey line matchups are a key part of the game. Line changes can pit different lineups against each other, and as a bettor looking for value, analyzing how certain players perform with each other and against an opponent’s group is key. If a certain line for the Detroit Red Wings is playing well as of late, it’s worth noting and comparing against their opponent’s line.

Reading NHL Odds and Betting Lines

Moneyline Odds

Betting on the NHL moneyline is simply wagering on which team will win the game. Moneyline odds are based on $100. For instance, if the Detroit Red Wings are -120 favorites against the Dallas Stars, bettors on the Red Wings would profit $100 for every $120 wagered on the Red Wings. On the other side of that bet, if a player put $100 on the Stars to win at +110, the Stars backer would cash $110 for every $100 wagered.

Puck Line

The puck line is hockey’s version of the point spread. Most puck lines are 1.5, with the favorite needing to win by two goals for a bet to be considered a win, and an underdog able to lose by just one goal to cover the spread. Odds on puck lines are higher for the favorite compared to the moneyline wager and lower on an underdog. In this Red Wings-Stars scenario, a Red Wings spread of -1.5 could see odds at +180, while the Stars at +1.5 would be something like -175.

Total Odds

Totals in NHL betting is wagering on how many goals will be scored in the game. The total is known as the over/under and for this game between the Red Wings and Dallas Stars, we’ll use 4.5 as an example. If a bettor believes the game will have five goals or more, the bettor will take the over. But if he wants to take the under, that person is banking on there being four goals or less. The odds on over/unders is typically -110, meaning bettors would risk $110 to win $100.

Why Trust bestbonusbets for NHL Betting

Our team of experts at bestbonusbets.com is dedicated to thoroughly researching and reviewing the top sportsbooks across Michigan. Our goal is to make sure players have a fun and secure NHL betting experience. Wagering on the NHL is just one click away. Check out our reviews and select one of the top sportsbooks in the state to begin playing now!

NHL Betting FAQ

Yes. Sports betting became legal in Michigan in December 2019. With the state’s online gaming launch, Michigan residents and visitors can place bets from across the state on their phones or other devices.

The NHL is seen as one of the more progressive sports betting leagues. It was the first major sports league to feature a professional team in Las Vegas with the Golden Knights. The NHL also reached deals with MGM Resorts International, FanDuel and William Hill. Teams are free to find their own sponsorship deals with sportsbooks, like the NBA and NFL. The Detroit Red Wings are the only team in Detroit to not have announced a sponsorship as of December 2023.

Yes, wagering on the NHL is safe in Michigan if it’s with a regulated and licensed sportsbook. Only sports that meet these requirements can be launched by operators who are approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Using any of the sportsbooks on our top-rated list will ensure you are wagering on an approved and licensed website.

Among the most important NHL stats to consider are first-goal percentage, as teams that score the first goal in games win nearly two-thirds of the time; 5v5 save percentage, which is a better indicator of a goalie’s performance since there are fewer variables at even strength; and power-play percentage, because teams that have higher success rates on the power play tend to pay off for bettors who back them.

Players have numerous deposit options available to them at each of the sportsbooks. These include a debit card, PayPal, credit card, preferred e-check, a Play+ Prepaid Card, online banking and a wire transfer.

With having multiple sportsbooks to choose from, bettors have the luxury of finding an edge by line shopping across each of the sportsbooks in Michigan. Some books may feature better odds on a bet you’re looking for in a certain game, and bettors can freely choose where they place their wagers.

Deciding the best time to lock in a bet may vary depending on what each player is looking for. Some prefer to wait right before the start to make sure the lineups are locked in and there are no key players sitting out. Others may find odds they like earlier in the day, or week, and prefer to place their bets then. The best value for futures odds is typically before a season begins or early into the campaign. Live betting presents another opportunity for NHL bettors to find value. If a massive pre-game favorite like the Tampa Bay Lightning gives up an early goal but someone thinks they will still be victorious, they can find plus-odds on the Lightning and bet them to win.

In Michigan all sports gambling winnings are subject to federal and state tax. The state tax on gambling winnings is 4.25%.

Contributors

Bryce Derouin

Reviewer since August 2023

With a decade in the media and gambling space in Michigan, I aim to bring you the latest news and developments in Michigan online casino and sports betting.

Interests: Online casinos, Online sports betting, Online poker, Gambling news