Ice Hockey Betting & Odds 

If you’re new to the sport and looking to break the ice, read on. But before diving into betting, let’s glide through the history of the game. Ice hockey evolved from early stick-and-ball sports like hurling in Ireland, shinty in Scotland, and bandy in England, all dating back to the 1300s. These games were eventually adapted to frozen surfaces, laying the groundwork for modern ice hockey.

By the mid-1800s, hockey was already being promoted as a winter game in English sports books. In 1875, England’s Hockey Association formalised its rules, while the first indoor ice hockey match took place in Montreal, Canada featuring a puck and rink size similar to what we see today. Since then, ice hockey has grown into Canada’s national winter sport and a global betting favourite.

How Do Odds Work in Ice Hockey? 

Odds represent the likelihood of a specific outcome and determine how much you can win from your wager. They’re usually displayed in one of three formats — decimal, fractional, or American — depending on thesportsbook. For example, if a team has odds of 2.50 in decimal format, a €10 bet would return €25 if that team wins (including your stake). Shorter odds indicate the favourite, while longer odds represent the underdog. Ice hockey matches can end in regulation time, overtime, or a shootout, so it’s important to know whether your bet covers just regular time or the full game.

Most Popular Ice Hockey Events & Tournaments to Bet On 

World Championships 

The Ice Hockey World Championships, organised by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), are an annual international men’s ice hockey tournament and the sport’s high-profile yearly tournament. In 1920, ice hockey was the opening event of the Summer Olympic Games, and is officially recognised by the IIHF as the first Ice Hockey World Championship. From 1920 to 1968, the Olympic hockey tournament also served as the World Championship for that year.

The modern format features 16 teams in the championship group, 12 teams in Division 1 and 12 teams in Division 2. If there are more than 40 teams, the remaining teams will face off in Division 3.

NHL 

The National Hockey League (NHL) is an annual North American ice hockey tournament, played with 31 teams, 24 from the US and 7 from Canada. Each team plays for the chance of winning the Stanley Cup — one of the oldest professional sports trophies in North America.

SHL 

The SHL is a Swedish professional ice hockey league consisting of 14 teams. This tournament is the highest division in the Swedish ice hockey system and was founded in 1975. During the 2011 season, the SHL was one of the most attended ice hockey tournaments in all of Europe and has become the second most popular sports tournament in all of Sweden.

WHL 

The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a junior Canadian ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. This tournament is one of the three leagues that form part of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and is one of Canada’s highest level junior hockey tournaments. Each team plays for the chance to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup, and the winner moves on to play for the Memorial Cup in Canada’s national junior championships.

Alps Hockey League 

The Alps Hockey League is a European ice hockey tournament based in central Europe, featuring teams from Austria, Italy and Slovenia. The Alps Hockey League was founded by three associations in 2016 — the Austrian Ice Hockey Association, the Federazione Italiana Sport del Ghiaccio and the Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia. This tournament consists of 16 teams — seven from Austria, seven from Italy and two from Slovenia.

Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament 

Taking place every four years, this is one of the most prestigious stages in the sport. With top nations competing for gold, the Olympic tournament offers intense matchups and global betting interest.

Champions Hockey League (CHL) 

Bringing together Europe’s best club teams, the CHL showcases continental rivalries and varying play styles, making it a fascinating competition for both fans and bettors.

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) 

Based in Russia and spanning several countries across Europe and Asia, the KHL is widely regarded as the second-best league after the NHL. Its fast-paced games and unique scheduling create diverse betting markets.

How To Place a Bet on Hockey? 

Placing a bet on ice hockey is simple once you understand the basics.

1. Choose a Trusted Sportsbook - Start by selecting a reputable online sportsbook like LV BET that offers competitive hockey odds, a variety of markets, and secure payment options. Look for platforms with live betting features and bonuses to enhance your experience.
2. Create an Account - Sign up by providing your details and verifying your identity. This process is quick and ensures that your account and funds are protected.
3. Make a Deposit - Add funds to your account using your preferred payment method, such as a credit card, e-wallet, or bank transfer. Check for any deposit bonuses that can give your bankroll a boost.
4. Select a Hockey Event - Browse through available leagues and tournaments like the NHL, KHL, or World Championships. Choose the match or market you’re interested in, such as match winner, total goals, or handicap.
5. Study the Odds and Teams - Review team stats, player performance, injuries, and recent form before placing your bet. Understanding these factors helps you make more informed decisions.
6. Place Your Bet - Once you’ve selected your market, enter your stake amount and confirm your wager. The potential payout will be displayed based on the odds.
7. Watch and Track Your Bet - Follow the game live or through updates on the sportsbook platform. Some sites also offer live cash-out options, allowing you to secure profits or minimise losses before the game ends.
8. Withdraw Your Winnings - If your bet wins, you can withdraw your earnings safely using your preferred withdrawal method. Check the site’s withdrawal limits and processing times beforehand.

Top Ice Hockey Betting Options & Markets 

Now that you’ve gotten a good idea of some of the most significant annual ice hockey events, let’s take a look at the kinds of bets you can place. The following is a list of typical ice hockey betting options you’ll have at most Sportsbooks.

Moneyline Bet 

The moneyline bet is one of the most common betting options you’ll encounter, as it frequently pops up not only in ice hockey but in other sporting events as well, like tennis and basketball. This bet is also one of the simplest bets that can be placed and serves as a good starting point to ice hockey betting for this reason. Despite its simplicity, it can still offer a great payoff. A moneyline bet consists of predicting which team will win the game.

Puck Line Bet 

A puck line bet is very similar to the run line bet offered in baseball betting and is a form of a point spread bet. This bet consists of betting on the favourite winning by more than 1.5 goals. This also means that if the team’s underdog loses by 1.5 goals or less, you will still win your bet.

Over/Under Bet 

The over/under bet is a wager on the total number of points scored in the match according to the game total. For example, players can bet on either over or under 5.5 goals. The reason that this bet also includes a half goal is to ensure that there are no ties. So, if you bet ‘over’, you will win the bet if there are a total number of six goals in the game or more — and vice versa if you bet ‘under’.

Prop/Proposition Bets 

Prop/proposition bets cover a wide range of markets, based on the likelihood of occurrence or non-occurrence of an event that is not directly tied to the game’s outcome. Essentially, you will be betting on whether or not something will happen. For example, placing a bet on which team will score the first goal, a player’s Over/Under score, or whether the final score will be odd or even.

Period Bets 

A standard ice hockey game is split into three different periods, and the game’s winner is determined by the total number of goals scored throughout these three periods. A period bet allows you to predict the winner of one specific period. This bet is a good alternative to the moneyline bet if you do not wish to wager on the whole game's outcome.

Future Bets 

Future bets are one of the most popular types of bets offered by hockey Sportsbooks. A future bet wagers on an outcome that will happen throughout multiple games. For example, placing a future bet on the team that will win the season. Because this bet goes so far into the future, it can be challenging to predict, but the payout of winning such a bet can be quite substantial. While placing future bets, it is important to keep in mind that the payout odds may vary as the season progresses.

Ice Hockey Betting Tips 

This is how you can place bets efficiently on ice hockey markets:

1. Research Team Form – Always check recent results, injuries, and player performance. A team on a winning streak often carries momentum, while one struggling with injuries may underperform.
2. Understand Goalie Impact – The goaltender plays a huge role in determining outcomes. Study each team’s starting goalie, their save percentage, and how they perform under pressure.
3. Consider Home-Ice Advantage – Teams tend to perform better at home due to fan support and familiarity with the rink, especially in leagues like the NHL.
4. Check Scheduling and Fatigue – Back-to-back games or long travel schedules can affect team performance. A tired team may struggle late in the game.
5. Watch for Line Changes – Coaches frequently adjust player lines to find chemistry or respond to opponents. Keeping track of these changes can reveal betting value.
6. Track Special Teams – Power plays and penalty kills can make or break a match. Teams with strong special teams often have an edge in tight games.
7. Bet with Your Head, Not Your Heart – Avoid wagering based on personal bias or favorite teams. Focus on data, stats, and logic.
8. Use Live Betting Wisely – Watching the game can help you spot momentum shifts. Live betting lets you react quickly to on-ice developments.
9. Manage Your Bankroll – Set a budget and stick to it. Successful betting is about consistency and discipline, not chasing losses.
10. Compare Odds Across Sportsbooks – Different platforms may offer slightly different odds. Shopping around ensures you always get the best value for your bet.

Bet on Ice Hockey at LV BET 

Ice hockey is a game enriched with history, and it comes as no surprise that it has gathered thousands of enthusiastic ice hockey fans worldwide. If you’re looking to set foot on the ice, you’ll find everything you need at LV BET. From high-calibre ice hockey championships, to vast betting options and plenty of international ice hockey teams — LV BET has it all.

When betting at our LV BET Sportsbook, you will find a wide range of betting market options, including some of ice hockey’s most high-profile tournaments like the World Championships, NHL and the International Hockey League. Ice hockey betting is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to betting at LV BET, as we also offer plenty of other sports events too! Take your pick and enjoy popular leagues in football, basketball, tennis, volleyball and dozens of other sports. We stay in tune with all sports news and events to make sure your sports betting experience is one you’ll never forget. If you’d like to stay close to all the action, download ourLV BET Sportsbook mobile app. With this app you can also benefit from prematch betting and live Match Tracking.

To boost your Sportsbook adventure even more, we also offer tons of awesome Sportsbook bonuses that help take your experience to the next level. While their availability may be subject to your jurisdiction, a few of these bonuses may include the Acca Boost, Safe Bet offer or the Enhanced Odds bonus. For more information, simply hop onto our ‘Promotions’ page. Get ready to bundle up and storm the ice!