Hockey Picks & Predictions

Everything you need to know about hockey

While football, basketball, and baseball tend to dominate the spotlight, hockey stands out with its unique blend of speed, skill, and physicality. The NHL commands a dedicated following worldwide with games played in front of fans on the edges of their seats across the US and Canada. For more and more Americans, the NHL season is a high point of the sports calendar, offering the same level of excitement and extended gameplay that the NBA is known for. For sports bettors new to the sport, you may be wondering- can betting on hockey be profitable?

Our hockey betting experts and NHL picks respond to that question with a resounding ‘yes!’. Our team of seasoned hockey writers and betting experts provides coverage throughout the NHL season. With picks backed by thorough analysis, we’ve got you covered from the season opener to the Stanley Cup final.

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How to spot a solid hockey pick

More than almost any other sport, a hockey game outcome is never set in stone. Despite some teams significantly dominating their divisions, the lengthy 84-game regular season is ripe for upsets at any stage. It’s not uncommon to find betting odds that are only available just before the face-off.

Given the sheer physicality of the sport, hockey players frequently face injuries ranging from hip, ankle, and shoulder issues during the long season. This factor makes it increasingly important to stay updated with the latest team news to accurately assess the odds offered by sportsbooks. 

5 Tips to Improve Your Hockey Picks

No matter which part of the season you’re looking to wager on, here are our expert tips aimed at increasing your hockey pick accuracy:

1. Remain objective in your team analyses. 
2. Stay up to date with injuries
3. Pay special attention to the schedule 
4. Don’t hesitate to explore betting markets
5. Make the most of sportsbook bonuses and free bets

Let’s further explore these tips to be sure that you can add them to your arsenal today. Your sports picks will be even better!

Tip #1: Remain objective in your team analysis

One of the most common pitfalls when it comes to hockey team analysis is overemphasizing league standings or the historical success of the teams involved. A solid pick requires a closer inspection of each team’s recent performance and under the specific conditions of the upcoming match. Of course, you don’t want to find yourself picking a team simply because they are your personal favorite.

Tip #2: Stay up to date with injuries

Given the physical nature of the sport, injuries are frequent and can impact the outcome of a game. Critical injuries, and sidelining key offensive or defensive players can dramatically change the dynamics of a match. Keeping up to date with player conditions remains crucial. In some cases, it may even be wise to wait until about an hour before the game starts to pick your line to fully assess the matchup. 

Tip #3: Pay special attention to the schedule

The dense NHL schedule often requires teams to play two games in less than 24 hours, occasionally on the road. This brutal turnaround time can lead to mental and physical fatigue, affecting even the most favored teams’ performance levels. Recognizing when a team is stretched too thin can be key to making a successful wager. 

Tip #4: Don’t hesitate to explore betting markets

Utilizing markets such as the Asian handicap for one of the three periods of a regulation match can be particularly profitable in hockey betting. Placing a bet on specific periods rather than an entire game often provides more value and can lead to significant gains. 

Tip #5: Make the most of sportsbook bonuses and free bets

Our final tip is to sign up with all of the top online sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, or BetRivers, which not only offer welcome bonuses applicable on hockey games but also provide seasonal promos and free bets. It’s beneficial to have a concise yet diverse betting plan that you can use across multiple accounts to maximize your chance of success.

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Why consider our free Hockey picks?

All of the picks shared for free on SportyTrader are the result of relentless analysis from our hockey-specialist writers. These experts approach each game with an objective lens, explore the stats, and craft their pick based on a blend of stats analysis, current news, and a clearly defined methodology. Their goal is simple: to share their betting insights to help you enhance your hockey betting success.

Our Hockey Picks of the Moment