With the regular season just around the corner, fans and bettors alike are eager to get a glimpse of how teams are shaping up, and they’re putting their money where their mouth is.
Tonight, there are five compelling preseason matchups, each offering a unique mix of betting angles and strategic intrigue. From puck lines and moneylines to goal totals, bettors are exploring the odds, looking to capitalize on early-season volatility.

However, preseason games often feature younger talent and experimental line combinations, making them incredibly unpredictable. As coaches test their depth charts and evaluate fringe roster players, savvy bettors are analyzing team trends, lineup news, and goaltending rotations to find a betting edge.

Whether backing underdogs with generous payouts or chasing totals in high-paced matchups, tonight’s slate is more than just a warm-up. Below, we will discuss how you can bet on the NHL with preseason odds and future odds for the regular season.

Preseason NHL Betting

The NHL Season officially begins on October 7th October 7th, but there are still numerous opportunities to bet on the preseason before then. Tonight’s games feature spread, moneyline, and total odds, and with games scheduled until October 4th October 4th, there are numerous opportunities for bettors.

Below are the current NHL preseason odds for October 1st October 1st, 2025, from Bovada’s online sportsbook.

Penguins vs. Sabres

• Spread: PIT +1.5 (-125), BUF -1.5 (+105)
• Moneyline: PIT +185, BUF -225
• Total: Over 6.0 (-110), Under 6.0 (-110)

Avalanche vs. Golden Knights

• Spread: COL +1.5 (-230), VGK -1.5 (+190)
• Moneyline: COL +105, VGK -125
• Total: Over 6.0 (EVEN), Under 6.0 (-120)

Canucks vs. Flames

• Spread: VAN +1.5 (-195), CGY -1.5 (+160)
• Moneyline: VAN +115, CGY -140
• Total: Over 6.0 (+105), Under 6.0 (-125)

Ducks vs. Sharks

• Spread: ANA +1.5 (-220), SJ -1.5 (+180)
• Moneyline: ANA +105, SJ -125
• Total: Over 6.0 (+105), Under 6.0 (-125)

Oilers vs. Kraken

• Spread: EDM +1.5 (-155), SEA -1.5 (+130)
• Moneyline: EDM +150, SEA -180
• Total: Over 6.0 (-105), Under 6.0 (-115)

NHL Futures

Betting on NHL futures offers US players a flexible and expansive way to engage with the season ahead.
Online sportsbooks provide early access to a wide range of futures markets, including wagers on the Stanley Cup winner, division and conference champions, individual awards like the Hart and Vezina Trophies, and team point totals.

Below are the current futures for the 2026 Stanley Cup Winner.

Stanley Cup 2025/26 – Winner

• Carolina Hurricanes +750
• Edmonton Oilers +750
• Tampa Bay Lightning +800
• Vegas Golden Knights +825
• Colorado Avalanche +900
• Florida Panthers +900
• Dallas Stars +1000
• New Jersey Devils +1500
• Toronto Maple Leafs +1800

Three fights occurred within the first nine seconds of the game. The USA ended up winning the match 3-1, and despite losing to Sweden 2-1 on Monday, they’ve advanced to the final round of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Canada’s loss to the USA was their only defeat during the tournament, and they’ve also advanced to the finals.

The 4 Nations Face-Off Finals

This time, the game will be placed in the United States at TD Garden in Boston.

Canada, led by stars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, will be looking to avenge that loss. McDavid scored in the first game, but the Canadian team struggled to overcome the USA’s defensive strategy and goaltending.

The USA’s lineup includes players like Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and the Tkachuk brothers.

NHL betting sites differ in their opinions on who will win the final game of the tournament. Some books favor Canada for the win, while others suggest that USA will become the champions.

The favored status is only reflected in the puck spread because the moneyline odds for each team to win are mostly identical.

Will There Be More Fighting?

The atmosphere on Thursday night is expected to be hostile following the treatment Team USA received in Montreal. 18+ sportsbooks have posted odds for whether there will be a fight, and the odds imply at least one will happen.

Total Fights in the game

• Over 0.5 Fights -190
• Under 0.5 Fights +145

Total Fights in the game

• Over 1.5 Fights +150
• Under 1.5 Fights -200

Winning either of these prop bets requires a major penalty to occur as a result of the fight. There are also odds on which players will be involved, and the Tkachuk brothers are leading the pack.

Player To Fight In The Game

• Brady Tkachuk (USA) +1000
• Matthew Tkachuk (USA) +1100
• Colton Parayko (CAN) +1600
• Brandon Hagel (CAN) +1800
• J.T. Miller (USA) +1800
• Sam Bennett (CAN) +1800
• Devon Toews (CAN) +2000
• Brock Faber (USA) +2200
• Jaccob Slavin (USA) +2200
• Cale Makar (CAN) +2500
• Josh Morrisey (CAN) +2500
• Travis Sanheim (CAN) +2500
• Zach Werenski (USA) +2500
• Brad Marchand (CAN) +2800

Will President Trump Attend The Game?

Political sportsbooks have created a line that favors Trump making an appearance at the final.

Will Donald Trump Attend The Game?

• Yes +150

Following the disprepect the national anthem was showing north of the border, it would not be out of line for Trump to show up. Bets placed on Trump being there will payout at 1.5-to-1 if he shows.

Time Magazine – Bovada

Florida handled the Oilers during Games 1, 2, and 3, but the Oilers flipped the script for 3 through 6, making it anyone’s guess as to who hoists the Stanley Cup tonight.

This evening in Miami’s Amerant Bank Arena, the Panthers will host the Oilers, where NHL betting sites are favoring Florida to win Game 7 by a spread of -1.5.

Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 Betting Line

Puck Spread: Edmonton Oilers +1.5, Florida Panthers -1.5
Moneyline Odds To Win: Edmonton -105, Panthers -115
Over/Under: 5.0

If that projection is correct, it will be the sixth time the team that lost Games 4, 5, and 6 ended up winning Game 7.

What once seemed to be the Panthers’ Stanley Cup Finals to lose is now in jeopardy, as a championship has eluded Florida since their inception.

Edmonton’s most recent Stanley Cup win came before the Panthers were established. The fanbase for both franchises are long overdue for a title.

Stanley Cup Prop Bets

Gambling on prop bets is akin to wagering on a game within a game. Most NHL props are based on in-game achievements that don’t always impact the outcome.

The following propositions for total saves sets an over/under for each starting goalie.

Total Saves – Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA)

Over 24.5 -120
Under 24.5 -110

Total Saves – Stuart Skinner (EDM)

Over 26.5 -125
Under 26.5 -105

The number of saves does indicate that the Florida offense will be busier than Edmonton’s, as more shots on goal are implied. That doesn’t suggest the Panthers will win, though.

Game 1 of this year’s Final featured a shutout of the Oilers. If either goalie keeps all shots out of the net tonight, a massive payout can be earned by anyone who places a wager.

Will Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) Record A Shutout?

Yes +800
No -1800

Will Stuart Skinner (EDM) Record A Shutout?

Yes +1200
No -3300

A perfect game by the Panthers’ Bobrovsky will award payouts of 8-to-1, and a shutout delivered by Skinner of the Oilers will payout at 12x versus the money you risk on the outcome.

Our favorite 18-friendly Stanley Cup Finals sportsbooks will also keep their Game 7 lines up as late as the third period, so you can gamble while the contest is ongoing. This is referred to as live betting and allows gamblers to place a wager at the time of their choosing.

Bovada Sportsbook, Yahoo! Sports

The Edmonton Oilers have beaten the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, and Dallas Stars to make it to the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. During the NHL Playoffs, The Florida Panthers have removed the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers from contention.

This weekend’s Game 1 in Miami’s Amerant Bank Arena is already taking action at online sportsbooks, and the home team is projected to come out ahead.

Stanley Cup Finals Game 1

• Saturday At 8:10 PM
• Panthers Have Home Ice For Game 1

Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers Betting Line

• Puck Spread: Oilers +1.5, Panthers -1.5
• Moneyline: Oilers +112, Panthers -133
• Over/Under: 5.5

Stanley Cup betting sites have placed the Panthers as a 1.5-goal favorite over the Oilers. Combining the over/under at the puck spread implies a final score of Panthers 3.5 (4), Oilers 2.

Unless Edmonton somehow comes away with a win on Saturday, it can be expected that Florida will be favored to go up 2-0 in the series in follow-up betting lines for Game 2.

2024 Stanley Cup Finals Series Prices

Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers

• Puck Spread: Panthers -1.5, Oilers +1.5
• Moneyline: Panthers -135, Oilers +115
• Over/Under: 5.5
• Florida Will Host Games 1, 2, 5*, and 7*
• Edmonton Will Host Games 3, 4, and 6*

*if necessary

The current prices for the Stanley Cup Finals at online NHL sportsbooks rate the Panthers 50 points ahead of the Oilers in the moneyline odds to win. Both teams’ odds are close to even, and a road win could easily flip-flop what’s currently being offered.

Edmonton lost the first game on the road in their second-round series against the Canucks, and then tied it up in Vancouver in Game 2. The Oilers split Games 1 and 2 on the road against the Stars in the Western Conference Finals, this time taking the first and losing the second.

The point is that the Oilers have already proven they can win a playoff series without the home-ice advantage. They also have the recipe for splitting the first two contests on the road and winning one of them.

What’s On The Line For The Oilers And Panthers?

Although the Panthers have been to the Stanley Cup Finals three times, they have never won. This makes back-to-back seasons where Florida has reached the NH:L Finals, and oddsmakers almost universally believe this is the year they finally hoist the title.

The Oilers have won five Stanley Cups but have not done so since 1990. The last time Edmonton advanced this far into the postseason was in 2006, when they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Finals.

Fans in the Alberta, Canada, region are already working on a second generation of Oilers fans that haven’t tasted championship glory, so expect the atmosphere in Rogers Place to be raucous for Games 3 and 4.

Sources – Bovada 18+ Sportsbook (Bovada NHL Betting Site Review) | Official 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket Tracker

Mondays are better with playoff hockey. 🥰

The #StanleyCup Playoffs continue tonight at 7p ET! pic.twitter.com/Ht1skZQY6v

— NHL (@NHL) April 22, 2024

Betting lines are available for each individual postseason game, and there are also series prices for betting on the first franchise to win four games in each matchup.

From a game-to-game standpoint, betting on the NHL Playoffs can be tough because contests are low-scoring and typically closely matched. Betting on the series winner often proves an easier wager to win, although gamblers must wait longer to get paid.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins Series Prices

• Maple Leafs +210
• Bruins -250

The Boston Bruins had a great season but received a tough draw in the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who finished just 7 points behind them in the Atlantic. 18+ NHL sportsbooks are favoring Boston to beat the Leafs by a 2.5-to-1 ratio.

New York Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes Series Prices

• Islanders +580
• Hurricanes -800

Futures odds for betting on the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals favor the Carolina Hurricanes above all other NHL franchises. Carolina holds a massive edge over the New York Islanders in their series prices, but the widest margin in the first round belongs to the Capitals and Rangers.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars Series Prices

• Golden Knights +122
• Stars -142

Stanley Cup futures project the Dallas Stars as the winners of the Western Conference, but they’ll need to get beyond the pesky Vegas Golden Knights in round 1. Only 64 points separate these two teams’ odds to win the series, so Dallas has some tough sledding in order to make it to the second round.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers Series Prices

• Kings +175
• Oilers -205

Edmonton has been atop the NHL futures for most of the season, but now must face a hungry LA Kings team. Game 1 begins tonight.

Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers Series Prices

• Capitals +660
• Rangers -1000

The NY Rangers finished the NHL season with the most points at 114, placing them one ahead of the Dallas Stars for 2024. The Washington Capitals were not in the Stanley Cup Playoff picture for much of the season, sneaking in during the final weeks. The odds reflect this reality, as you’ll need to bet $10 just to net a dollar by betting on the Rangers to beat the Caps.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets Series Prices

• Avalanche +135
• Jets -155

Colorado dropped Game 1 to Winnipeg over the weekend, and now the Avalanche aren’t favored to make it to the second round when they were recently the Stanley Cup odds leaders.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Series Prices

• Lightning +325
• Panthers -405

The Panthers lead this cross-state series 1-0 over the Lightning, but Tampa Bay bets on the series will payout at 3.25-to-1 if they come back and win four games.

Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks Series Prices

• Predators +250
• Canucks -300

The Canucks possess a one-game edge in their series against Nashville, and 18-friendly sportsbooks feature Vancouver as a near sure-winner against the Predators. The winner will most likely face the Oilers if the odds are correct.

BetOnline 18+ Sportsbook (BetOnline Review) | The Sporting News

The NHL Playoffs do not begin until next April, but all of the sites listed in our 18+ sportsbook reviews are accepting bets on the eventual Stanley Cup Champions in addition to their routine hockey game lines.

NHL Odds to Win the 2024 Eastern Conference

Carolina Hurricanes +400
Toronto Maple Leafs +575
New Jersey Devils +600
Boston Bruins +800
New York Rangers +800
Florida Panthers +900

The early favorite to win the Eastern Conference Championship is the Carolina Hurricanes. They are coming in with a -400 moneyline which is 175 points ahead of the second-place Toronto Maple Leafs.

Last season, the Florida Panthers advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. This year, the Panthers are ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference futures, suggesting they’ll make the NHL Playoffs but lose in the first or second round.

NHL Odds to Win the 2024 Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche +350
Edmonton Oilers +375
Vegas Golden Knights +575
Dallas Stars +650
Los Angeles Kings +1000
Minnesota Wild +1000

18+ NHL betting sites have placed the Colorado Avalanche as the most likely team to win the Western Conference. They are closely trailed by the Edmonton Oilers by a mere 25 points in the moneyline odds.

Last season, the Vegas Golden Knights captured the Western Conference and won their first Stanley Cup. They now place third overall in the Western Conference futures, with +575 moneyline odds to win.

Naturally, the top two odds-getters in both the Eastern and Western Conference are also ranked first and second in the 2024 Stanley Cup futures.

2024 Stanley Cup Odds to Win

Carolina Hurricanes +700
Colorado Avalanche +800
Edmonton Oilers +900
New Jersey Devils +950
Toronto Maple Leafs +950
Vegas Golden Knights +1000

The odds for betting on the Stanley Cup have placed the New Jersey Devils in a tie with the Toronto Maple Leafs. What’s peculiar about this ranking is that the Leafs are 25 points ahead of the Devils in the Eastern Conference futures.

This could imply that New Jersey would be a more formidable opponent than the Leafs against a top team in the West.

The NHL’s most valuable player is recognized each season by the awarding of the Hart Memorial Trophy. Betting odds are on the boards for the 2024 Hart Memorial Trophy, with the top player holding a massive lead over the rest of the pack.

2023-2024 Hart Memorial Trophy: Odds to Win

Connor McDavid -150
Nathan MacKinnon +900
David Pastrnak +1200
Matthew Tkachuk +1400
Leon Draisaitl +1400
Auston Matthews +1400

Normally, when there is a large range of options for oddsmakers to choose from, all parties will feature odds in the positive. Connor McDavid, center and captain for the Edmonton Oilers, is listed at -150.

This places McDavid at least 850 points ahead of the remainder of the league, and he is poised to win his fourth Hart Memorial Trophy at the young age of 27.

If you want to bet on any of the above NHL futures, the time to do so is now while the odds are the highest. You’ll have to wait until the end of the NHL Playoffs for a payout, so be patient when placing your wagers.

BetOnline.LV (BetOnline Sportsbook Review), Buffalo News

The best of seven series started with New York jumping to an early two-game lead over the Lightning after winning their first two games at home. After smelling defeat, the Tampa Bay Lightning turned it up a notch and went on a three-game winning streak, winning two games at home and then one on the road. Below are the highlights from game five of the 2022 NHL Semi-Finals.

Stanley Cup Semi-Finals Game 6 Odds

Game six of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals will be played in Tampa and broadcast at 8 pm (EST) on ESPN and NBC Sports on Saturday, June 11th. Tampa is favored to beat New York by 1.5 goals according to Bovada’s 18+ sportsbook. Below are the current game lines for game six of the NHL Semi-finals.

NHL Best Of Seven Odds – 06/11

• Point Spread: New York Rangers +1.5, Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5
• Moneyline: New York Rangers +155, Tampa Bay Lightning -180
• Total: 5.5

Betting On The Stanley Cup Finals

As the end of the 2021-2022 NHL season comes close to an end, many fans look to bet on the outcome, and in today’s modern age, it couldn’t be easier. While there are many states that now allow sports betting, online sportsbooks offer more flexibility, convenience, and in many cases, better odds.

To bet on the Stanley Cup Finals online, you must sign up for a new account and fund your new betting endeavor. Our 18+ sportsbook reviews show our favorite legal sportsbooks and the best features of each site. We suggest you study our reviews before signing up to avoid confusion and see which site is best for you.

Stanley Cup Semi-Finals Game 7

If a game seven occurs, the New York Rangers will undoubtedly be favored in most cases since the game will be in New York, and they would have to win game six to advance to game seven.

According to most Tampa online sportsbooks, Tampa and New York were underdogs going into the NHL playoffs. Since both teams have already defied the odds to make the Semi-Finals, a game seven could quickly go either way. 

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions, the NHL was forced to redraw their conference lines for the Canadian teams and use an all-Canadian conference for the 2021 season. The first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs occur within the division, but the semifinals consist of multiple divisions, so those teams will be re-seeded based on their regular-season point totals. 

Islanders vs. Lighting

So far, there has only been one game played in this best of seven series, but The NY Islanders have jumped ahead of the Tampa Bay Lighting 1-0. 

The Tampa Bay Lighting are defending champions, however, they were unsuccessful at getting the puck past veteran goaltender Semyon Varlamov more than once in game one. Varlamov racked up 30 saves and only allowed one goal en route to the Islanders win.

Knights vs. Canadians

The Vegas Golden Knight’s odds have shot up after a commanding 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadians in game one of the series. The Knights were able to pass the puck around, and four different players scored goals in the contest: Holden (d), Janmark (c), Martinez (d), and Theodore (d).

Betting On the Playoffs

There are several different options for betting on the Stanley Cup playoffs, including futures, game lines, and props. While game lines are specific to individual contests, futures and props can come to fruition over a series. 

Below is an example of the different bet types available from Bovada’s Sportsbook.

Money lines for game 2:

• New York Islanders +170
• Tampa Bay Lightning -200

• Montreal Canadiens +220
• Vegas Golden Knights -270

Stanley Cup Futures:

• Vegas Golden Knights -125
• Tampa Bay Lightning +275
• New York Islanders +400
• Montreal Canadiens +1500

*More betting odds available here.

To learn more about betting on the NHL, see our 18+ sports betting guide and our suggestions for reputable sportsbooks that accept US players over the age of 18. 

Whatever happens in the next two rounds, we want to see some good hockey; it also wouldn’t hurt if Vegas and Tampa squared off for the Stanley Cup. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci is considered the nation’s top expert on infectious diseases and has been leading the fight against the coronavirus along with President Trump. Dr. Fauci told media sources that sports leagues could return this summer by holding events without fans, keeping players in hotel rooms, and by testing players regularly. Dr. Fauci believes there is enough interest from fans that sporting events could strive without fans in attendance. 

Baseball

The MLB has considered multiple options for opening up its 2020 season without fans in attendance. The most likely scenario is that the league could hold all season games in the state of Arizona. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said the state would be willing to host the MLB if conditions allow it. 

Football

College football announced earlier this week that they plan on holding their season as scheduled; however, that could change depending on the pandemic. The college football season is expected to begin on August 29th, 2020. The NFL has announced a virtual offseason schedule but plans on being ready for action to start on September 10th, 2020. The XFL has laid off all employees, filed for bankruptcy, and canceled its 2021 season. 

Basketball

The NBA 2020/21 season has been postponed since March but plans on returning to finish its season. Commissioner Adam Silver told the media that they can’t make a decision about when the league might return until May 1st. 

The NCAA has canceled its post-season play and will not resume for the 2020 season. Eligibility has been extended for senior players who were affected by the shutdown. 

Other Sports

Other sports such as NASCAR, NHL, and MLS have also been shut down since the pandemic reached the United States. Each league is also closely monitoring the pandemic and plans to resume once clearance has been granted. 

Sports Betting

The shutdown of sports across the USA has had a dramatic effect on sports betting, leaving sportsbooks with little to wager on. To combat the loss of revenue, sports leagues and sportsbooks have turned to other options, including virtual tournaments. 

The NBA sponsored an NBA2k tournament, the MLB just announced a virtual playoff, and NASCAR has held virtual races to keep fans entertained during the pandemic. 

Online sportsbooks offer odds on these events for 18+ sports betting patrons. While it is not quite the same as betting on the NBA or other games, it does alleviate some of the stress associated with no sports or real sports betting during the coronavirus pandemic.