Your Guide to NHL Betting in Pennsylvania
Dive into NHL betting in Pennsylvania with everything to get you started, from top sites, best offers, and everything you need to know about the season. Find the best Pennsylvania online sportsbook to start betting on the NHL. Explore a complete hockey betting guide and everything you need to know when betting on NHL games.
Best NHL betting sites in PA
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Hockey betting lines explained
Licensed sites in Pennsylvania offer a variety of basic bets:
- Moneylines: A bet on an NHL team to win a single game at odds that are posted. You lock in the bet at odds set according to each team’s probability of winning.
- Puck line: A bet on an NHL team to win a single game with a puck line, or spread, factored into the score.
- Totals: A bet on whether the total combined score in an NHL game will be over or under a line.
- Parlays: A single bet combining two or more basic bets into one. Every bet, or leg, must win for a parlay to pay.
- Live in-play or in-game: Basic NHL betting lines offered during a live NHL game. Odds are adjusted throughout the game.
- NHL futures: A bet on an NHL team to win its division, conference, or the Stanley Cup. NHL futures bets can also include wagers on how many regular-season wins an NHL team will accumulate throughout the season. Most NHL futures odds set in the offseason are adjusted as the regular season plays out.
NHL moneylines
The moneyline is the easiest way to bet on the NHL. NHL moneyline bets pay according to a team’s probability of winning a game outright. The odds are locked in at the time you place the bet. All you have to do is correctly pick the winning team to get paid
Moneyline odds are posted as either positive (+) or negative (-) numbers. Negative numbers represent the favorite and show how much you’ll need to bet to win $100, plus your bet back. Positive numbers are for underdogs and show how much each $100 bet will pay, plus your bet back.
The Philadelphia Flyers, for example, may be posted as underdogs on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers’ moneyline might be +165. That means if you bet $100 on Philadelphia, you’ll win $165 back if they win.
If you like Pittsburgh at home instead, you might find the Pens at close to -200. That means you’ll need to bet $200 on the Pens to win $100 on a successful wager.
NHL puck lines
NHL puck lines are the same thing as point spread bets in football betting. Most puck lines are set at -1.5 for the favorite and +1.5 for the underdog. This is because the average NHL game is decided by two goals or fewer.
Betting the puck line requires you to pick the winner with the puck line factored into the final score. Alternative puck lines are also often offered by bookies at different prices.
NHL totals
NHL totals are the NHL version of an over/under. Bookies set a line on the total number of goals both teams will combine to score, and you bet on whether the actual total will be over or under that.
Typically, NHL totals lines sit around five or six goals and can be booked at -110 odds on either side.
NHL futures
NHL futures are traditionally bets on who will win the Stanley Cup, a conference, or a division. However, they may also include wagers on how many regular-season wins a team will accumulate or individual player awards.
These NHL futures odds fluctuate throughout the season based on each team’s (or player’s) prospects. Some popular NHL futures that Pennsylvania sports betting apps allow patrons to bet on include:
- NHL Win Totals: Betting on an over/under line for a team’s complete season win total.
- Division/Conference Winners: Betting on a team to win its division or conference.
- NHL Playoffs: Betting on a team to make the NHL Playoffs or win an individual playoff series.
- Stanley Cup: Betting on a team to win the Stanley Cup.
- NHL Winter Classic: Advanced betting on events like the NHL Winter Classic.
NHL props
A prop bet is a wager on something that is not directly tied to the outcome of the game. For example, sites may offer props on whether Sidney Crosby scores a goal or how many total shots on goal the Flyers will have.
NHL parlays
NHL parlays involve combining two or more basic NHL bets into one. Parlays pay better than single bets because you must win each one for the parlay to pay.
NHL live betting
Sites offer more advanced NHL betting options, including live, in-play, or in-game NHL betting. This allows you to book basic NHL bets throughout a game at odds that change as the game does.
With live hockey betting, you can make bets on anything from which team or player will score the next goal to which team will win the period to who will get the next penalty. You can also make moneyline, totals, or puck line bets at different odds than what was available before the game started. Check your favorite site for all of the current live betting odds for any NHL game in progress.
Best NHL betting apps
There are so many sites operating in Pennsylvania today that allow NHL betting. We’ve used every available option in Pennsylvania and have outline below those that are best for placing bets on the NHL.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is available in Pennsylvania in partnership with its Meadows Racetrack & Casino property just outside Pittsburgh. The retail location at Meadows launched at the start of the 2019-20 NHL season. The DraftKings Sportsbook soft-launched on Nov. 4, 2019, and opened to the public on Nov. 7.
You’ll find all the best lines, odds, and props on the slick and user-friendly DraftKings app. DraftKings has some great parlay builder functionality that makes it perfect for betting on hockey.
- Current NHL playoff bonus: Bet $5 on the NHL playoffs as a new customer and get $100 in bonus bets, win or lose. Plus, get a live goalscorer boost for any conference final playoff overtime game (for both new and returning customers).
FanDuel Sportsbook
As the Pennsylvania market leader, the FanDuel app is easy to use and offers an almost identical experience to its website. Every conceivable NHL betting line is available, including live in-game NHL betting. Plus, FanDuel features ongoing promotions such as NHL odds boosts and parlay insurance. Everything from creating an account to depositing funds and building bet slips is just a few clicks away. Furthermore, the app is available for Android and iOS users.
- Current NHL playoff bonus: New customers can bet $5 on the NHL playoffs and receive $150 in bonus bets if your original wager hits.
Fanatics Sportsbook
The Fanatics app provides another great choice for NHL bettors in Pennsylvania. Fanatics is an app-only site (there is no web-based version), meaning that with Fanatics, the focus is entirely on the mobile experience.
Fanatics has already become popular in Pennsylvania after launching in early 2024. NHL fans will find a wide range of markets and bet types throughout the season, including team and player props and futures betting on the next Stanley Cup champ.
Both the Apple and Android apps have received high ratings from Fanatics users.
- Current NHL playoff bonus: New customers can bet $20 on the NHL and receive $350 in Bonus Bets. Plus, receive Profit Boosts for every gameday during the playoffs — for both new and returning users.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is one of the top choices for betting on all sports, including hockey. There are frequent promos at BetMGM, especially for when the NHL season is underway. BetMGM often offers frequent odds boost tokens and parlay boost tokens, along with other offers throughout the season and playoffs. BetMGM has a handy calendar function, where you can see a list of NHL games taking place on a specific day, along with their odds, making it easy to wager on all games.
- Current NHL playoff bonus: For new customers wagering on the NHL playoffs, get up to $1,500 paid back in bonus bets if your first wager doesn’t win.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars is a great option for betting on the NHL, as well as other sports and leagues. Like others on this list, Caesars has frequent parlay boosts and other promos throughout the entire NHL season. As an added bonus, all users get to participate in the Caesars Rewards program that gives you rewards every time you wager.
- Current NHL playoff bonus: New customers can bet $1 on the NHL and double your winnings on the next 10 wagers.
Why bet on hockey online in Pennsylvania?
Sites and apps offer the full slate of hockey bets you’ll find at any retail sportsbook in a casino. But browsing through your betting options and testing out various parlays and payouts is a lot easier.
With a clickable online slip, you can plug different bets in and play with the payouts without anyone waiting impatiently behind you in line at the betting window.
The speed and flexibility of using an app on your phone also mean faster and easier access to live in-game NHL betting options than at a retail location. While the social environment at a physical location is always fun, for efficiency and speed, online and mobile NHL betting is far superior.
As for getting money online to bet with, most online operators accept:
- Major credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard
- Online bank transfers
- Popular third-party payment processors, including PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller
- Cash options that include making a deposit at the cage of an affiliated Pennsylvania casino or even a 7-Eleven or CVS
Once you’ve set up and funded your account, you can browse through all the daily NHL betting lines and futures, shop around for the best odds, and get in on the action within seconds.
NHL betting tips
Nobody picks NHL winners in every game. But you don’t have to make NHL betting profitable.
The trick is to learn how to manage your betting bankroll effectively and win just a little more than you lose. The following three NHL betting tips might help:
1. Recognize home-ice advantage
Only the ice itself is as solid as the home-ice advantage in the NHL. Home teams get the last line change, as well as a boost of confidence that the support of the crowd can give them.
Some teams are better at taking advantage of this. Look at the home and road records of the teams involved before making your hockey bet.
2. Use stats relentlessly
Hockey betting is a battle for information. Researching a team’s statistical data and any detailed analysis of it will help you make more informed picks. Try betting only on the teams you follow closely and use the statistical information you already know as a fan. Just make sure to bet with your head, and the stats, over your heart.
3. Don’t chase losses
You will lose some hockey bets along the way. Losing streaks are real. But don’t be tempted to increase your bet size to chase those losses. That’s just a quick way to go broke. Instead, keep the bets the same and stay in the game until your losing streak turns into a winning streak.
NHL Power Rankings
NHL.com releases a Super 16 NHL Power Rankings aimed at identifying the top teams in the league throughout the regular season. The list is put together by thirteen NHL beat writers employed by the site.
NHL.com also does the same heading into the season. Check the current Super 16 rankings every week on NHL.com.
How the NHL works: Preseason, Regular Season, and the Playoffs
Each of the NHL’s 32 teams plays 82 games over the course of a seven-month regular season. Then, the NHL Playoffs start, and the real battle for the Stanley Cup begins.
16 teams make the NHL playoffs each season, with eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference.
Each conference has two divisions (Atlantic and Metropolitan in the Eastern Conference, Central and Pacific in the Western Conference). The top three teams in each division automatically qualify for the playoffs on their side of the bracket (so, six automatic qualifyers in each conference). From there, the remaining two spots in each conference go to wild cards. The wild card teams are the next two highest-placed teams in each conference, regardless of their division (so it’s possible for one division to send five teams to the playoffs, while another could send a minimum of three).
The four eventual winners from the first two rounds will advance to the Conference Finals, and the two winners move on to play for the Stanley Cup.
The NHL playoffs are some of the best in American sports. Divisional rivalries are highlighted on the biggest stage. The playoffs make up four rounds of best-of-seven serie, with action running from April to June each season.
NHL injuries and how they relate to betting
The NHL does not require teams to publicly disclose specific injuries affecting players. When NHL teams do announce injuries, they’re often vague in nature. You don’t always see a specific timeframe attached to announcements, unlike the NFL or NBA. When injuries are announced, chances are the team will not even announce the specific injury affecting the player. It could be something like “undisclosed upper body injury.”
The reasoning behind this could be a number of things, such as competitive advantages or players targeting the body parts of those injured.
Regardless of why injuries are reported with more secrecy than other leagues, it’s important to take that into consideration before placing a bet. Again, you’ll see that specific players are hurt, but it can be a guessing game for the casual fan when it comes to how that injury could affect the outcome of a game. It’s important to do your research before placing a wager if you think an injury could impact a matchup.
Top 5 NHL players from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to a lot of great hockey players. Here is our rundown of the best five the Keystone State has ever produced:
1. Mike Richter
Legendary New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter is from Abington, PA. He played 14 seasons for the Rangers and helped New York win the Stanley Cup in the 1993-94 season.
Richter was nominated for the Vezina Trophy five times and ended his career with a .904 save percentage and 301 career wins. Internationally, he helped the 2002 US Olympic team win a silver medal and was the goalie on the 1996 World Cup-winning US team.
2. R.J. Umberger
Pittsburgh’s R.J. Umberger played 11 seasons in the NHL for the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets. His 180 goals and 212 assists make him among the highest-scoring Pennsylvania-born player in NHL history.
Umberger has played internationally for the US several times as well.
3. Ryan Malone
Ryan “Bugsy” Malone became the first Pittsburgh-born and raised player to play for the hometown Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003.
He also played 11 total seasons in the NHL, suiting up for the Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers. Malone’s 370 career points make him the third-highest scoring Pennsylvania-born player in NHL history.
He won a silver medal with the 2010 US Olympic team and played for two World Cup US teams.
4. Brandon Saad
Brandon Saad was born and raised in Pittsburgh. However, he was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and has won two Stanley Cups with the team in 2013 and 2015. Since then, he’s played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, another stint with the Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Saint Louis Blues. He currently plays for the Vegas Knights.
Saad is one of just two PA natives to surpass more than 500 total points in an NHL career. Saad helped the 2010 US Juniors team win the World Junior Championship.
5. Vincent Trocheck
Vincent Trocheck is a Pittsburgh native who played for the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and the New York Rangers. Florida drafted Trocheck in 2011. He was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes at the trade deadline of the 2019-20 season. In 2022, Trocheck signed a seven-year, $39.37 million deal with the Rangers, where he currently plays today.
Trocheck is one of only four Pennsylvania-born players to post more than 300 career points in the NHL. This season, he officially surpassed the 600-point mark, making him PA’s leader in all-time NHL points.
Trocheck helped the 2010 US Juniors team win the World Junior Championship and played for the 2014 US World Cup team. He is a member of the 2026 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team, too.
NHL Betting FAQ
It is 100% legal to bet on the NHL with licensed Pennsylvania operators across the state, both in person and online.
Puck line bets in the NHL are a lot like point spread bets in the NFL. You pick a winner with the puck line factored into the final score to determine a betting winner. See more information in our hockey betting guide above.
Overtime does count when it comes to NHL betting, unless stated otherwise by the bookie you bet with.
Shootouts count for NHL betting in terms of wins and losses, for totals and puck line bets. Teams that win in a shootout are credited with one additional goal in the final tally.
There are a variety of NHL betting lines, including in-game lines. That means you can bet on everything from the final score of a game to which team will win each period.
Bookies and the oddsmakers they employ set NHL lines based on several factors. This includes everything from specific scheduling and game location to the historical matchup and recent performance data. Basic NHL odds principles are also applied.
The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs determine the league champion and Stanley Cup winner. It consists of four rounds of a best-of-seven series.
Bookies allow you to place bets on who will win each series, each conference, and ultimately the Stanley Cup. Plus, NHL betting sites offer a variety of betting markets for each individual game in a series.
Additionally, you can increase potential payouts on any series bet by picking the exact score in that series.
NHL betting in Pennsylvania remains a popular option
Pennsylvania has no shortage of NHL fans. The state itself has a rich history in hockey. In turn, those rabid fans make for great bettors.
NHL betting shouldn’t be complicated. There are so many different apps and betting options available to Pennsylvania residents, as well as different wager types with puckline, spread, and more. We strongly recommend doing your homework before placing an NHL bet, reading up on injuries, and shopping around for odds. It’s our goal to make sure you’re prepared.
That way, you’re all prepared for NHL betting in Pennsylvania.
