Ice hockey predictions for today
Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in the world, particularly in the US, Canada, Scandinavia and much of Europe, and its popularity is reflected by the interest shown in it by the bettingexpert community. Every day throughout the season, bettingexpert’s experts will post their tips for all of the major leagues, including the NHL from the US and the SHL from Sweden, but also major events like Ice Hockey World Championship.

bettingexpert will post its expert ice hockey predictions for traditional markets such as match Game Winner and Tournament Outright as well as Point Spread, First Team To Score, Total Goals and Anytime Scorer.
Main Ice Hockey Events of 2026
We’ve gathered some of the most important events happening in the world of Ice Hockey in the first half of 2026, so that you always know what to look out for when it comes to Ice Hockey betting:
| Dates | Event | Level / Competition | Additional Notes |
|---|
| February 1 | NHL Stadium Series | National League (NHL) | Outdoor regular-season game. |
| February 5-22 | Olympic Ice Hockey Games (Milano Cortina 2026) | International (Olympic Games) | During the Winter Olympic Games, the national leagues in most countries are suspended. |
| February 10-11 | AHL All-Star | National League (AHL) | AHL is the developmental league for the NHL. |
| March 3 | Champions Hockey League Final | European Club | Final participants TBD |
| March 6 | NHL Trade Deadline | National League (NHL) | After March 6 NHL teams cannot trade players until the trade window opens again |
| March 12 | Swiss National League Playoffs start | National League (Swiss National League) | Post-season start in SNL |
| March 16 | SNL Quarter-finals | National League (Swiss National League) | Series length varies; the end date depends on the results and the number of games in each series |
| March 17 – May 6 | SHL Playoffs | National League (Swedish Hockey League) | Final series April 25 – May 6 (Game 7 if needed) |
| March 17 – May 7 | PENNY DEL Playoffs | National League (Germany) | |
| March 23 – May 23 | Gagarin Cup Playoffs (KHL) | Multinational League (KHL) | Multinational league with participants from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China |
| March – April | Liiga Playoffs | National League (Finland) | Liiga announce the playoffs schedule closer to the end of the regular season, season runs into April 2026. |
| April 9-11 | NCAA Frozen Four | College League (NCAA) | United States’ college league playoffs |
| April 16 | NHL regular season ends | National League (NHL) | |
| April 18 – June 21 | Stenli Kup playoffs | National League (NHL) | The most famous ice hockey league playoffs in the world |
| April 22 – May 2 | IIHF Men’s U18 World Championship | International | |
| April 29 – May 5 | IIHF World Championship Division I, Group B | International (men, tier 3) | Played in Shenzhen, China |
| May 2 – 8 | IIHF World Championship Division I, Group A | International (men, tier 2) | Played in Sosnowiec, Poland |
| May 15 – 31 | IIHF Men’s World Championship | International (men, tier 1) | Played in Zürich / Fribourg, Switzerland |
| May 31 – June 6 | NHL Scouting Combine | NHL (Player acquisition) | |
| June 26 – 27 | NHL Draft | NHL (Player Acquisition) | |
Once more competitions announce their dates for the second half of 2026, we will add them here, so that you are aware in advance.
Free Ice Hockey predictions
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We encourage regular users of the site to sign up and start to enjoy the many benefits that go with becoming part of a community. However, our ice hockey betting tips remain available to all users, whether you are a member of the bettingexpert community or just a casual visitor.
While numerous betting sites offer subscription-only betting tips and charge large amounts of money for their so-called expert predictions, they do little in terms of justifying such payments by proving their claims of long-term profitability.
By comparison, we record the performances of each tipster in our community and display our findings on our site for all to see.
Log onto bettingexpert and check out our expert tipsters regularly posting predictions and begin following their tips today. Whenever your favourite tipsters post any new tips, you will receive an instant notification.
Top ice hockey bets
- Moneyline bets: Just pick the team you think will win. It’s straightforward and great for starters.
- Puck line bets: This is ice hockey’s version of point spread betting. Bookmakers set a margin (usually 1.5 goals), and you bet on whether your chosen team will win by more than this margin or not.
- Over/Under (totals) bets: Wager on whether the total score between both teams will go over or stay under a specified number.
- Proposition (prop) bets: These are fun side bets on specific outcomes within the game, such as which player will score first or how many penalty minutes there’ll be.
- Futures bets: Long-term wagers placed on outcomes like which team might win the Stanley Cup or who will be named MVP at season’s end.
- Live betting: Engage with the game in real-time by placing bets as the action unfolds.
Want to learn more? Visit the bettingexpert Academy and read our ice hockey Betting Guide.
Winning ice hockey betting strategies: tips and tactics
Crafting a strategy before diving into the world of ice hockey bets can significantly boost one’s chances of success. Here are some tried-and-true tips and tactics to help bettors skate towards profitable outcomes:
- Research is key: Before placing any bets, it’s important to do your homework. This includes studying team performance, player statistics, injuries, and even weather conditions for outdoor games. Knowledge is power in sports betting.
- Understand the importance of goalies: In ice hockey, a goalie can be the difference between a win and a loss. Always check which goalies are starting and consider their current form as well as past performances against the opposing team.
- Look for value bets: Instead of just betting on favourites, seek out value where the potential winnings outweigh the risks involved. Sometimes underdogs offer great opportunities if you’ve spotted something that bookmakers may have overlooked.
- Manage your bankroll wisely: Set aside a budget specifically for betting and stick to it. It’s easy to get caught up in the heat of the game but remember that consistent small wins can be better than sporadic large ones.
- Specialize in certain areas: With many leagues around the world, it could pay off to specialize in one area whether it be a particular league or type of bet. Becoming an expert in one area means making more informed decisions compared to spreading yourself too thin across multiple leagues.
- Timing your bets carefully: Odds fluctuate over time. By keeping an eye on how they change leading up to game time, you might find more favourable odds closer to puck drop—or even during live betting when momentum shifts occur within games.
- Don’t ignore less popular markets: While moneyline and puck line bets are popular, don’t overlook prop bets or futures which might provide better value or align more closely with your knowledge base about certain players or teams’ long-term prospects.
By integrating these hockey betting strategies into your approach, you stand a better chance at not only enjoying the process but also turning your ice hockey betting tips into wins. Remember that no strategy guarantees victory every time; however, being informed and disciplined will set you apart from those simply guessing their way through wagers.
Bookmakers for betting on ice hockey
All of the top online bookmakers cover ice hockey betting in depth and provide an excellent range of betting markets, plus consistently strong odds.
When choosing an online bookmaker, stick to the well-established big name bookies and be sure that your bookmaker provides these four key elements
- Consistently Competitive Odds
- A Wide Range Of Betting Markets
- All Major Competitions Covered
- Extensive In-Play Betting Markets
Try and find the online bookmaker that provides the best overall coverage of the sport Your bookmaker should provide great odds, a wide range of betting markets and cover ice hockey in depth. Plenty of in-play betting markets are essential, and if possible, live streaming of matches.
To find the ideal bookmaker for your tips, be sure to read our detailed bookmaker reviews.
Where to bet on ice hockey
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More ice hockey predictions at bettingexpert
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