Popular Ice Hockey Leagues Worldwide

Ice hockey is one of the most exciting and physically demanding sports, with major professional leagues spread across different countries. Below is a breakdown of the most popular hockey leagues in the world and how people bet on them.

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1. National Hockey League (NHL) - USA & Canada

The NHL is the most prestigious and competitive professional hockey league globally. It features 32 teams, divided into two conferences:

• Eastern Conference (Atlantic & Metropolitan Divisions)
• Western Conference (Central & Pacific Divisions)

NHL Season Format

• Regular Season: 82 games per team
• Stanley Cup Playoffs: 16 teams compete in a best-of-seven elimination format
• Stanley Cup Finals: The conference champions face off for the title

The NHL attracts the best hockey players worldwide and generates massive betting interest.

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2. Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) - Russia & Eastern Europe

The KHL is the top professional hockey league in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China and is widely regarded as the second-best league after the NHL.

• Features 23 teams, with some based outside Russia.
• The season culminates in the Gagarin Cup Playoffs.
• The KHL has strong financial backing and attracts high-level international talent, including ex-NHL players.

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3. Swedish Hockey League (SHL) - Sweden

The SHL is Sweden's top-tier professional hockey league and one of Europe's strongest leagues.

• Features 14 teams competing in a 52-game regular season.
• The top teams compete in the SHL Playoffs, while the bottom teams face relegation threats.
• Known for developing elite NHL prospects, including Swedish stars like Victor Hedman and Elias Pettersson.

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4. Liiga - Finland

The Liiga is Finland's premier professional hockey league and is among the top European leagues.

• Features 15 teams playing a 60-game regular season.
• The season ends with the Liiga Playoffs and the Championship Finals.
• Produces top NHL talent, including Finnish stars like Aleksander Barkov and Sebastian Aho.

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5. National League (NL) - Switzerland

The NL is Switzerland's highest-level hockey league, known for its strong local talent and high-scoring games.

• Features 14 teams with a 52-game season.
• The best teams qualify for the NL Playoffs.
• Popular with former NHL players due to competitive salaries and strong fan support.

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6. Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) - Germany

The DEL is Germany's top professional hockey league and has grown significantly in recent years.

• Features 15 teams playing a 56-game season.
• The DEL Playoffs determine the champion.
• Known for its passionate fan base and rising German talent, including Leon Draisaitl.

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7. American Hockey League (AHL) - USA & Canada

The AHL serves as the primary developmental league for the NHL, with nearly every team affiliated with an NHL franchise.

• Features 32 teams, each linked to an NHL team.
• The season includes the Calder Cup Playoffs.
• Many players move between the AHL and NHL, making it a strong competitive league.

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8. Canadian Hockey League (CHL) - Canada

The CHL is the top junior hockey league in North America and consists of three leagues:

• Western Hockey League (WHL)
• Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
• Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)

The CHL serves as a major pipeline for NHL prospects.

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9. Czech Extraliga (Czech Republic)

The Czech Extraliga is one of Europe's strongest hockey leagues, producing many NHL players.

• Features 14 teams playing a 52-game season.
• The top teams compete in the Extraliga Playoffs.

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10. Ice Hockey World Championships & International Tournaments

Several international tournaments also play a significant role in the hockey world:

• IIHF World Championship (Annual tournament featuring the best national teams)
• Winter Olympics (Every four years, with NHL players often participating)
• World Junior Championship (WJC) (Showcasing the best U20 players globally)

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Betting on Ice Hockey

Common Hockey Bets

1. Moneyline Bet (Winner Bet)

• A simple bet on which team will win the game.
• Example:
  • Boston Bruins (-150) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (+130)
  • Bruins are favorites (must bet $150 to win $100).
  • Maple Leafs are underdogs (bet $100 to win $130).

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2. Puck Line Bet (Hockey's Version of the Point Spread)

• Similar to a point spread in other sports, but always set at -1.5 for favorites and +1.5 for underdogs.
• Example:
  • Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+140) vs. Edmonton Oilers +1.5 (-160)
  • Avalanche must win by 2 or more goals.
  • Oilers can lose by 1 goal (or win) to cover the bet.

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3. Over/Under (Total Goals Bet)

• Betting on whether the total number of goals scored in the game will be over or under a set number.
• Example:
  • Over/Under 5.5 goals
  • If the final score is 4-3 (7 total goals), Over wins.
  • If the final score is 2-1 (3 total goals), Under wins.

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4. First Period Betting

• Betting on the outcome of just the first period instead of the full game.
• Can include Moneyline, Puck Line, or Over/Under bets.

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5. Player Prop Bets (Individual Performance Bets)

• Betting on specific player statistics.
• Example:
  • Connor McDavid Over/Under 1.5 points
  • Auston Matthews to score a goal (+180 odds)
  • Igor Shesterkin Over/Under 29.5 saves

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6. Futures Bets (Season-Long Bets)

• Betting on outcomes that will happen later in the season.
• Example:
  • Stanley Cup Winner (Avalanche +500, Bruins +600, Oilers +700).
  • Hart Trophy (MVP) Winner (Connor McDavid -120, Nathan MacKinnon +200).
  • Top Goal Scorer (Rocket Richard Trophy) (David Pastrnak +400, Leon Draisaitl +500).

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7. Live Betting (In-Game Bets)

• Wagering on games while they are in progress.
• Includes Moneyline, Puck Line, Over/Under, and Next Team to Score bets.

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Where People Bet on Hockey

• Online Sportsbooks (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars).
• Vegas Casinos (Physical sportsbooks in Las Vegas).
• Offshore Sportsbooks (Websites operating outside the U.S.).
• Local Bookies (Illegal in some areas but common in underground betting).

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Final Thoughts

Hockey has elite leagues worldwide, including the NHL, KHL, SHL, Liiga, and CHL, with significant global viewership. Betting on hockey includes Moneyline, Puck Line, Over/Under, Player Props, and Futures, making it a dynamic and exciting sport for bettors.