Choosing Your Stanley Cup Sportsbook
Before you can place any bets on this season’s Stanley Cup, you’ll need to join an online sportsbook. While some states let you place bets in person, betting online offers far more convenience and more options too. There are lots of different sportsbooks to choose from, and we recommend looking at the following factors when deciding which one to join.
License and Security
The most important factor to look at when betting online is that it’s safe and legal. Sports betting is now legal across many states, although any site you choose will still need to be licensed by your state gambling authority. In addition, security features such as encryption should be used to keep your data secure.
Reputation
The best sportsbooks are the ones you know you can trust. They have a great reputation among their customers and good standing in the sporting world. Many of the biggest and best betting sites sponsor major sports teams and leagues like the NHL. You can learn more about a sportsbook’s reputation by checking out our reviews.
Bonuses
Bonuses make betting more fun, and they’re available from all top betting sites. Before you sign up, make sure you look at which promos and offers are available. Read through all of the terms so you know that the bonus is easy to claim. Ideally, you should be able to benefit from a welcome bonus and regular promos.
Odds and Lines
If you’re worried about how much profit you make from your Stanley Cup and NHL bets, you should definitely look at the odds and lines available. Compare the available odds to those offered at other top sites to ensure you get the best deal.
Betting Markets
The Stanley Cup is one of the biggest and most important sporting events in North America. Because it’s so huge, most sportsbooks offer lots of options you can bet on. When choosing which site to join, check to see the availability of different betting markets and that you have enough variety to make betting fun.
Usability
Sportsbooks should be easy to use too, offering fast and responsive sites or apps. The signup process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, and it’s important that finding the latest Stanley Cup odds is simple. Not only that, but the best sportsbooks offer features such as cash out and live betting to make your experience better.
Payments
After signing up, you’ll also need to deposit before you can bet. When deciding on which sportsbook you join, be sure to look at the accepted payment methods. Most sites accept a range of different options and make the deposit and withdrawal process straightforward.
Mobile Access
The majority of people betting on the Stanley Cup do so using their smartphones. If you’re one of the many people who prefer to use an app to bet, you need to make sure mobile access is supported. Check how easy the site is to use on your phone or tablet and whether or not an app is available to download.
Customer Service
All good sportsbooks make the betting process as smooth as possible, but if you ever have an issue, you’ll need to contact the support team. Before you join, check out the level of customer service provided. Ideally, it should be easy to speak to a representative, and the best sportsbooks provide multiple contact options.
Our Stanley Cup Betting Site Reviews
Of course, there’s an even quicker way to discover the very best sportsbooks. Here at SportsbookPromo.com, we carefully research every legal betting site that offers odds on the Stanley Cup. Our review team personally signs up to each sportsbook and tests them out, writing reviews to give you all the details.
You can use our reviews, which are updated regularly, to discover the best sites. Included is all the information on bonuses, odds, markets, and much more. Before you choose a site to bet on the Stanley Cup, we recommend taking a look and finding which option is best for you.
Stanley Cup Promos and Bonuses
When you join an online sportsbook, make sure you claim your welcome offer. This is a special type of promotion that is only available for new users, and most sites offer them. In some cases, there may even be a special Stanley Cup welcome bonus for you to claim.
Aside from the new user promos, there are often regular bonuses to claim too, and these all help make betting more enjoyable. If you use them right, they’ll boost your bankroll and give you more value on your bets.
There are lots of different types of Stanley Cup promos. Here are some of the most popular:
| Bonus Type | Example | Explanation |
| Matched deposit bonus | 100% bonus up to $500 | Claim $500 in bonus funds when you deposit $500 |
| No deposit bonus | $25 bonus | Claim $25 when you first sign up |
| Risk-free bet | $500 risk-free | Place a bet of up to $500 and get your entire stake refunded if it loses |
| Bet credits | $100 in free bets | Use your bet credits to place a bet and keep any winnings if it wins |
| Odds boost | 25% increased odds | Increase your odds and potential winnings by applying this boost to your bet |
| Loyalty rewards | Claim 1 reward point for each $1 you bet | You can collect reward points and exchange them for other bonuses |
How to Claim a Bonus on the Stanley Cup
When you claim your Stanley Cup promo, you’ll need to follow the instructions provided by the sportsbook. It’s important to read these instructions carefully, as well as the bonus terms and conditions. These will differ depending on the type of promo, but here’s a rough guide to how it works:
- Sign up to a sportsbook
- Make your first deposit and use the promo code if required
- Place your qualifying bet
- Claim your bonus and use it according to the terms
Stanley Cup Betting Guide
The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy awarded to the team that wins the NHL playoffs at the end of the season. Every year sees the beginning of a new NHL season, as all the teams in the four divisions compete for a chance to play in the playoffs and be crowned the champion at the end.
With the NHL action beginning in October, the regular season will conclude in April. From here, the top three teams from each division, as well as two wild card teams, will enter the playoffs. Each of the sixteen total teams is seeded, which affects which opponents they face in the first round.
All of the playoff games are played in a best-of-seven series, with games split between home and away arenas. The first team to win four games goes on to the next round, reaching the conference finals and then the Stanley Cup finals. You can bet on every game during the playoffs and the Stanley Cup Championship games.
Top Stanley Cup Betting Markets
Throughout the playoffs and Championship games, you’ll be able to choose what you bet on at all good sportsbooks. Being one of the most popular sporting events in North America, Stanley Cup betting features a wide range of markets to choose from. Here are some of the most popular:
Moneyline
This is a straight bet on which team you think will win the game. For example, in a Stanley Cup Championship series between the Florida Panthers and the Las Vegas Golden Knights, you could bet on the Golden Knights to win game one at -120. The team you pick needs to win that game for your bet to win.
Puck line
The puck line is also a bet on the outcome of the game, but this time, there’s an imaginary handicap in play. For example, the Nashville Predators +1.5 vs the Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5. If you bet on the Lightning, they need to win by more than one goal for your bet to win. On the other hand, if you bet on the Predators, you’ll be hoping they avoid losing by more than one goal.
Total (Over/under)
This bet is unaffected by the outcome of the game itself, with only the number of goals mattering to whether it wins or loses. On any game, you can bet on there being under or over a certain number of goals. At most sportsbooks, the line is set at either 6 or 6.5. So, if you bet on there being over 6.5 goals between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche, you’d need at least seven goals for your bet to win.
Periods
As well as betting on the entire game, major sportsbooks will let you bet on the action for specific periods. For example, you could bet on a team to win the first period. Even if that team lost the next three periods, you’d still win your bet, provided they win the first. Puck line, total goals, and other markets are also available for specific periods within the game.
Awards
For both the regular season and the NHL playoffs, you can bet on which player you think will be awarded the top goalscorer award. Some sportsbooks may also offer betting for other awards, including the Hart Trophy for the league MVP, the Conn Smythe Trophy for the playoffs and Stanley Cup MVP, the Vezina Trophy for the league’s best goalie, and the Calder Trophy for the Rookie of the Year.
Player stats
As well as betting on the awards individual players receive, it’s also possible to bet on their stat lines for the regular season and playoffs. For example, you could bet on Alex Debrincat to score over or under 35.5 goals during the regular season.
Futures
You can also bet on the NHL Championship well in advance, with odds released for each team winning the Stanley Cup before the first games are played. While it’s not the best idea to bet this far in advance because of how much can happen during the season, it’s sometimes fun to bet on futures. You can bet on which teams will make the playoff, the conference and division winners, and playoff seedings too.
Placing Your First Stanley Cup Bets
Betting on the Stanley Cup is really simple, with just a few steps to complete. Here’s a quick guide to getting started:
- Choose one of our top-rated Stanley Cup sportsbooks
- Register with the sportsbook, using either the official site or the app
- Make your first deposit and claim your betting promo by following the instructions
- Search for the Stanley Cup or find hockey or NHL using the menu
- Open up the list of markets by selecting the game
- Stanley Cup futures is often a separate tab, and available long before the event
- Choose a bet to add it to your bet slip and enter your stake
- Confirm your bet, then enjoy the game, and hope your bet wins!
Live Stanley Cup Betting
Traditionally, Stanley Cup bets have been placed in advance of the game. However, thanks to online sportsbooks, you can now place your bets during any of the best-of-seven games. Live betting is really easy, and it’s available at all top sportsbooks. It lets you access the latest betting markets and live stats. In addition, you can see the odds that are instantly updated as the action takes place.
Betting on the game as it’s taking place offers you an advantage, as you’re able to make your bets based on what’s happening on the ice. In addition, the odds can change quickly, giving you a chance to find more value than you would with pre-live bets. Even if you’re not watching the game, live stats help you make informed decisions on which bets to take.
Mobile Betting on the Stanley Cup
Betting on the Stanley Cup from your mobile is really simple too. A growing number of people are now choosing to only bet from mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. It’s so much more convenient than using a desktop computer and gives you more freedom to bet wherever you go. Provided you’re still within a state that offers legal betting, you’ll be able to bet anywhere you like.
To start betting on the Stanley Cup from a mobile, simply visit your preferred sportsbook in the mobile browser of your device. Log in, access the Stanley Cup markets, and place your bets. It’s really that simple! Some sportsbooks have apps you can download too, making the experience even more convenient.
Stanley Cup Betting Strategies
The Stanley Cup can be extremely unpredictable, especially if you’re betting on the futures market well in advance. As a good example of this, the Las Vegas Golden Knights won the 2022-23 Stanley Cup. At the start of the season, they were +1400 to win, and even at the start of the playoffs, they were +800 to win.
If you want to have success betting on the Stanley Cup, you should know there’s no magic formula to win. However, there are ways you can improve your chances and increase your potential for profits. Follow these strategies to have more success with your bets.
Shop for the Best Lines
Different sportsbooks will have different lines for the same games. If you want the best chance of making long-term profits, it’s always important to get the best odds. This will ensure your winnings are higher and mean that you make the most of your winning predictions. Before placing a bet on any Stanley Cup game or futures market, always compare odds with other sportsbooks. Use our reviews to find the sites that regularly give the best lines.
Research Every Bet
A lot of bettors prefer to bet on their favorite team or go with their gut feelings. There’s no wrong way to bet. However, if you’re trying to make long-term profits, you obviously want to use research and data. Make sure you’re researching team news, form, and other statistics to get the best idea of which outcomes are most likely. You can find loads of information online about the Stanley Cup from respected experts to help you with your picks.
Make the Most of Promos
There are loads of betting promos available to claim when you use top-rated sportsbooks. Before you make any bets on the Stanley Cup, check to see what offers you can qualify for, and be sure to make the most of them. This means reading through all the terms and conditions and following the instructions to claim the full value.
Bet Responsibly
While it’s something that gets said a lot, it can’t be overstated just how important it is to bet responsibly. This means not betting more than you can afford to lose and taking care of your bankroll to ensure you limit your losses and maximize your wins. It’s a good idea to set up deposit and spend limits on your account if you’re having trouble controlling your betting, as it’s really easy to get carried away with the excitement of the Stanley Cup.
Stanley Cup Betting FAQ?
Can I legally bet on the Stanley Cup?
Stanley Cup betting is completely legal if you live in a state that offers licensed sports betting. Before you place any bets, ensure the site you’re using is licensed in your state. In most cases, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old to register and start betting, and every online sportsbook will verify your ID before you can deposit.
Where can I place Stanley Cup bets?
The Stanley Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in North America, so unsurprisingly, you can bet on it just about everywhere. All of the best online sportsbooks offer odds on lots of Stanley Cup markets, including which team will win, scores, total number of games won, and more. Make sure any sportsbook you choose is licensed in the state you’re betting from.
Can I claim any betting promos for the Stanley Cup?
Yes, betting promos are available at all top sportsbooks, and many betting sites advertise special Stanley Cup bonuses too. When you first join an online sportsbook, check the instructions on how to claim and the full terms and conditions. You’ll find the best Stanley Cup betting promos right here on this page.
What is the best bet for the Stanley Cup?
Most hockey fans like to bet on which team they think will win the Stanley Cup, but there are lots of other markets you can bet on as well. There’s no single best bet, but you should choose an option you think offers value based on the odds and your research. Study team news and player form and look for the best odds.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.
Chris Williams is a senior editor and fact checker at SportsbookPromo.com. He's been active within the US sports betting industry for over five years and has edited and fact checked hundreds of articles.