How to Bet on NHL Playoffs: Stanley Cup Odds, Expert Picks & Betting Guide

I get more excited concocting a betting guide about how to bet on the NHL playoffs than I did writing letters to Santa in my formative years. 

Nothing compares to the first round of the postseason, when world-class hockey takes over. This overarching guide and strategy should help you navigate the riveting forthcoming gauntlet. As all 16 teams are about to do, let's get into it.  

🗒️ How to bet on NHL playoffs

With a multitude of bets to choose from, I've broken down the most popular, offering insight about each one: 

Moneyline

Because of the increased parity, you'll often get better odds for favorites and worse for underdogs. Remember, you're just picking the winner on moneyline plays.

Total (Over/Under)

• Most totals will be O/U 5.5 or O/U 6.5. You'll pick the Over or Under. For bets to cash on Under 5.5, the game must have 5 goals or fewer. Over picks must consist of at least 6 goals.
• Keep in mind the possibility/probability of empty-net goals. Don't be surprised to see teams down by 2 goals pull the goalie with 2, even 3, minutes remaining. Even teams down by 3 pull the goalie.
• For O/U 6.5, remember that games tied at 3, regardless of time remaining, will end in the Over cashing.
• BetMGM and other best sports betting sites sometimes offer O/U 6. I like utilizing that total in games where the Over is most likely. It offers a buffer, as it will be a Push if the game ends 4-2. That means your stake (investment) will be returned, so there will be neither a loss nor a profit.
• Goaltending and collective defensive performances are usually better in the playoffs, so you'll see more 5.5 totals and less 6.5.

Puck line

• Puck line bets are when you either pick a team to win by at least 2 goals, or back a team to lose by no more than 1 goal or win.
• Because of widespread parity, puck line bets offer unsavoury odds for underdogs in the playoffs. However, you will get excellent value on backing favorites.
• I love betting the favorite in these circumstances, as they often benefit from scoring an empty-net goal, possibly two.

Player props

• It's critical to back players who raise their level in the postseason.
• Check players' playoff stats for a look at how they have performed historically.
• As games tend to be lower scoring, be careful backing players to score 2 or more points unless they're names are Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, or Nikita Kucherov.

Parlays 

• When forming a same-game parlay, remember that every pick must be successful to cash a winning ticket.
• Usually, I play shorter odds than individual bets to increase the probability (decreasing potential profit). I'll look for odds between -120 and -200.
• However, if you're more interested in winning a big-profit parlay every so often, look for plus-money picks, those with + preceding the number.

Live betting

• Betting in-game while the action is on is one of the most entertaining and exciting ways to wager.
• If you think a game will be low scoring and a team scores an early opener, back the Under immediately afterward to receive optimal value.
• If a team like Colorado scores the opener, back it to win the game by 2 or more goals. The Avs have the best win % after scoring first. You can do the opposite with good comeback teams, like the Carolina Hurricanes.
• Dig into the analytics as much as you can so you're prepared to pull the trigger on any number of scenarios.
• I always supplement the data with my gut feeling based on the on-ice proceedings. Nothing supersedes the eye test.

Futures

• You can pick a team to win a series, the conference, or the Stanley Cup, along with player futures for the Conn Smythe, etc. For Stanley Cup or conference picks, you can select your team at any point in the postseason, so long as the winner hasn't already been decided.
• Keep a close eye on the odds as they fluctuate regularly and significantly in the playoffs. For example, the Edmonton Oilers were down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings in the first round last season. Had you picked them to win the Western Conference at that point, you would have received excellent value.
• Back a team with a bunch of players who raise their level in the playoffs.
• Be careful betting on youthful teams without at least a smattering of playoff experience.
• When backing an underdog to win a series, I often hedge the bet by selecting a +1.5 game spread. That way, if they lose in seven games, you'll cash that bet. If they win the series, you'll win both wagers.

🔢 Stanley Cup odds 2026

Our Stanley Cup odds update in real time. See the NHL odds for the best odds on each game.

🐶 How do underdogs fare in first round?

In three of the previous four playoffs, the underdog (lower-seeded team) won 2 of 8 first-round series. 

🃏 How do wild-card teams fare in first round? 

Since being implemented in 2014, wild-card teams have won 12 of 40 first-round series. No wild-card team has won the Stanley Cup, with the 2017 Nashville Predators and 2023 Panthers the only ones to make it to the final. 

There were no wild-card teams in 2020 or 2021 because of the COVID-19-impacted playoffs. 

Presidents' Trophy Curse

The 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks were the last Presidents' Trophy-winning team to hoist the Cup. Last year's Presidents' Trophy winners, the Winnipeg Jets, lost in the second round to the Dallas Stars. 

💡 NHL award odds & predictions

• NHL award predictions
• NHL playoff predictions
• Stanley Cup predictions
• Hart Trophy odds
• Norris Trophy odds
• Vezina Trophy odds
• Calder Trophy odds
• Jack Adams Award odds