Hockey and Canada are inseparable. From frozen ponds in Saskatchewan to sold-out arenas in Toronto, the game is part of who we are. Now that single-event sports betting is legal across Canada, you can back your hockey knowledge with real wagers — moneylines, puck lines, totals, player props, and same-game parlays on every NHL game.
At Slapshot Diaries, we have spent years telling the stories behind the sport. We know the game inside and out, and we have tested every major sportsbook to find the ones that deliver the best hockey betting experience for Canadians. Below are the 6 best sites for hockey betting in Canada for 2026.
Whether you are wagering on a Leafs-Habs rivalry night or building a same-game parlay around Connor McDavid props, these sportsbooks have you covered. Read on for our full breakdown of hockey bet types, strategies, and the operators that do it best.
Best Hockey Betting Sites in Canada —
How Hockey Betting Works in Canada
Hockey betting in Canada is built around a handful of core market types. Once you understand these, you can confidently navigate any sportsbook and make informed wagers on NHL games, international tournaments, and even junior hockey leagues.
Moneyline Bets
The most straightforward hockey bet. Pick the team you think will win outright. In the NHL regular season, moneyline bets include overtime and the shootout. A favourite might be listed at -155, meaning you wager $155 to win $100. An underdog at +135 means a $100 bet returns $135 in profit.
Moneyline betting rewards knowledge of team form, goaltender matchups, and back-to-back scheduling. If you have been following the game closely — perhaps reading about how hockey's toughest enforcers shaped the modern era — you already have a head start on understanding team dynamics.
Puck Line Bets
The puck line is hockey's version of the point spread, almost always set at −1.5 or +1.5 goals. Backing a favourite at −1.5 means they must win by 2 or more goals for your bet to cash. Taking the underdog at +1.5 gives you a cushion — they can lose by a single goal and your bet still wins.
Puck line bets offer significantly better payouts on heavy favourites. When a team like Colorado is favoured at −250 on the moneyline, the puck line at −1.5 might offer −120 or even plus money. The trade-off is the higher risk that a close game sinks your wager.
Totals (Over/Under)
Sportsbooks set a combined goal total for both teams, typically between 5.0 and 6.5 in the NHL. You bet whether the actual combined score goes over or under that number. Defensive matchups between teams with elite goaltending tend to stay under, while high-powered divisional rivalries — think of the fierce battles between the Red Wings and Avalanche — often light up the scoreboard.
Player Props
Player prop bets focus on individual performance. Common hockey props include whether a player will score a goal, record an assist, or hit a certain shots-on-goal threshold. For example, you might bet on Auston Matthews to score over 0.5 goals at −110 or wager that a goaltender will make over 29.5 saves.
Props are especially popular during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, when star players consistently rise to the occasion. Knowing which players thrive under pressure — the way Bob Probert owned the biggest moments — gives you an edge when sizing up prop markets.
Hockey Betting Strategies That Work
Successful hockey bettors do not just pick their favourite team. They analyse data, track line movements, and exploit edges that casual bettors miss. Here are 4 strategies that can sharpen your hockey wagering.
Follow the Goaltenders
Goaltending is the single biggest variable in hockey. A starting goaltender change can shift the moneyline by 20 to 40 cents. Check confirmed starters before placing your bet. Backup goalies in back-to-back situations often provide value on the opposing team's moneyline or the over.
Target Back-to-Back Games
Teams playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road are historically weaker. Their save percentage drops, their shooting accuracy declines, and fatigue compounds through the third period. Look for value on the home team's moneyline or puck line in these spots.
Track Line Movement
When a line moves significantly from the opening number, it usually reflects sharp money or injury news. If the Oilers open at −140 and move to −170 without any public news, professional bettors are likely backing Edmonton. Following line movement helps you identify where the smart money is going.
Use Same-Game Parlays Wisely
Same-game parlays let you combine correlated outcomes. A smart SGP might pair a high-scoring team's moneyline with the over, since a team winning often correlates with more total goals. Avoid piling on 4 or 5 uncorrelated legs just for a big payout — the math works against you quickly.
NHL vs. International Hockey Betting
While the NHL dominates the hockey betting market in Canada, several sportsbooks also cover international leagues and tournaments. Here is how the major hockey betting markets compare.
| League / Event | Season | Markets Available | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHL | Oct – Jun | Moneyline, puck line, totals, props, futures, SGP | Deepest market coverage, most props |
| KHL | Sep – Apr | Moneyline, totals, period bets | Early-morning bets, niche value |
| SHL (Sweden) | Sep – Apr | Moneyline, totals | Prospect tracking, draft angles |
| World Juniors | Dec – Jan | Moneyline, totals, futures | Canadian patriotism betting |
| Olympics / World Champs | Varies | Moneyline, totals, gold medal futures | International event wagering |
TonyBet Sport stands out for international hockey coverage, offering markets on the KHL, SHL, Liiga (Finland), and Czech Extraliga alongside the NHL. If you enjoy following prospects and international tournaments, TonyBet is worth a close look.
Live Hockey Betting
Live betting — also called in-play betting — lets you wager on an NHL game while it is happening. Odds update in real time based on the score, period, power plays, and momentum shifts. This is where deep hockey knowledge truly pays off.
Imagine watching a game where the trailing team pulls their goaltender with 2 minutes left. The live moneyline shifts dramatically, and if you read the game correctly, you can find value in that moment. Live betting also offers markets like next goal scorer, period winner, and updated totals.
All 6 sportsbooks on our list offer live hockey betting. 888sport and LeoVegas Sport have the fastest odds updates in our testing, while TonyBet Sport provides the most detailed in-play statistics including shot attempts, faceoff wins, and zone time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The moneyline is the most popular hockey bet in Canada. You simply pick which team will win the game. In the NHL regular season, moneyline bets include overtime and the shootout. It is the simplest way to bet on hockey and the starting point for most new bettors.
The puck line is hockey's point spread, almost always set at -1.5 or +1.5 goals. Betting the favourite at -1.5 means they must win by 2 or more goals. Betting the underdog at +1.5 means they can lose by 1 goal and your bet still wins. Puck line bets offer better payouts on favourites compared to the moneyline.
Yes. All major Canadian sportsbooks offer NHL player prop bets. Common props include goals scored, assists, shots on goal, saves by the goaltender, and points. Player props are especially popular during the NHL playoffs and are available for both pre-game and live betting.
A same-game parlay (SGP) combines multiple bets from the same NHL game into a single wager. For example, you might combine the Maple Leafs moneyline with Auston Matthews to score a goal and the over 5.5 total goals. All legs must win for the parlay to pay out, but the combined odds create larger potential payouts.
Yes. All 6 sportsbooks on our list offer live in-play betting for NHL games. You can bet on updated moneylines, period outcomes, next goal scorer, and adjusted totals while the game is in progress. Odds update in real time based on the score and game flow.
Hockey odds in Canada use American format. A negative number like -150 means you must bet $150 to win $100 (the favourite). A positive number like +130 means a $100 bet returns $130 in profit (the underdog). The larger the negative number, the heavier the favourite.
Based on our 2026 testing, 888sport (9.4/10) is the top overall hockey betting site with excellent NHL live betting and same-game parlays. TonyBet Sport (9.0/10) is the best specialist option with consistently competitive puck line odds and coverage of international leagues like the KHL and SHL.
For recreational bettors, no. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) treats sports betting winnings as windfall income, which is not taxable. This applies to all forms of hockey betting including moneyline, puck line, props, and parlays. Only professional gamblers who derive their primary income from betting may face taxation.
Yes. Several Canadian sportsbooks cover international hockey including the World Junior Championship, IIHF World Championship, Olympics, and European leagues like the KHL and SHL. TonyBet Sport offers the widest range of international hockey markets among the operators we reviewed.
Minimum bets vary by sportsbook but are typically between C$0.10 and C$1.00 per wager. TonyBet Sport has one of the lowest minimums at C$0.10, while most other operators start at C$0.50 or C$1.00. There is no maximum bet posted publicly, but high-stakes bettors may face individual limits set by the operator.
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