NHL

10 Betting Trends for the Second Half of the 2023 NHL Season

Take your NHL Handicapping to the Next Level with these 10 Trends!


Top 10 NHL Betting Trends

Now that the NHL season has reached its midpoint, we’ve seen spectacular goals, highlight reel saves, and bone-jarring hits, as well as some thrilling matchups. With all of this non-stop action from around the league, there’s never been a better time to bet on the NHL.

NHL betting adds a new level of intensity and excitement to each game that simply cannot be replicated. By putting yourself in the middle of the action, you can feel like a Stanley Cup Champion with each winning wager you place.

At Canadian Sports Betting, we are here to keep the good times rolling and help you boost your bankroll while betting on the NHL. As experts in sports gambling, we have crunched the numbers and found 10 fantastic betting trends that are sure to score you several winning wagers and big-time paydays.

Not only do we provide our readers with the best NHL betting trends, we also supply you with the top online sportsbooks in Canada. We’ve thoroughly reviewed each of the best NHL betting sites in Canada and compiled them all into one spot so you can find the online sportsbook that’s right for you.

Find the online bookmaker that’s right for you with our in-depth sportsbook reviews, follow our direct link to the applicable sportsbook, sign up, and start placing bets using the top 10 NHL betting trends of the 2022-23 season.

San Jose Sharks Over

Wins have been scarce in San Jose this season as the Sharks continue to sit with Aquaman at the bottom of the Pacific, but the Over has been a constant. Sporting a sizzling hot 63.5% Over rate, the Sharks are one of the most exciting teams in the NHL to bet on.

The Sharks boast a strong offensive unit, able to play at a high pace and get ample shots on goal each night. With their dazzling speed and incredible stick skills, the Sharks are a threat to put up huge scoring numbers against even the best teams in the NHL.

While the Sharks offence is a thing of beauty, their defence leaves much to be desired. Providing aging netminder James Reimer and unproven youngster Kaapo Kahkonen with little to no help, the Sharks struggle to keep opposing teams out of their own zone. Holding a bottom-five spot in goals against per-game, the Sharks rely on going shot-for-shot with most of their competition.

Playing a high-risk style of hockey, Sharks games are all gas no brakes as both teams light up the scoreboard routinely as the game progresses. Bet on San Jose Shark games to reach the Over, regardless of the opponent and gain a winning ege with this top betting trend.


Winnipeg Jets Under

Amidst a resurgent season, the Winnipeg Jets have quietly begun to cement themselves as a playoff team this year and will prove to be a tough matchup for any team in the postseason. A large part of their success this season has come from their ability to slow the game down on offence and play strong team defence on the other end.

This is also a major factor in why the Jets lead the NHL in hitting the Under. The Jets hold the best Under percentage at 63.5%, making them a strong bet to hold any team to a low-scoring output when matched up across the ice from them.

In the top five for Goals Against Average in the league, the Jets have built a reputation as a tough team to play against, forcing their opponents into a tough, hard-fought matchup each and every night.

Back the Jets to continue keeping teams off the scoreboard and methodically controlling the pace of the game once they’ve gained the lead. The Jets are a terrific pick to hit the Under on a nightly basis, be sure to take this action on the next Winnipeg matchup.


Boston Bruins to Cover (-1.5)

The favourites to claim the 2023 Stanley Cup, the Boston Bruins are never a bad team to back. Holding a tremendous regular season record with the most points in the NHL, the Bruins are also the best team to back to cover the -1.5-goal puckline.

In what could be the juiciest betting trend on this list, in their dominant run this season the Bruins have amassed a +1.61 goal-per-game differential this season. Nearly averaging a two-goal win each game, the Bruins are the perfect squad to back in terms of covering the puckline as the favourite.


Boston Bruins as Favourites


Going hand-in-hand with the puckline trend found above, the Bruins winning ways have been off the charts this season and when the oddsmakers have them pegged as the favourites to win a matchup, they more than often do.

With a sensational 81% win rate as the favoured team, the Bruins have smoked the competition this year and will help you beat down the bookmakers when you back them to win. Place a bet on the Bruins to win as a favourite on your next NHL bet slip and win alongside the NHL’s prominent powerhouse.

New Jersey Devils as Underdogs

One of the biggest surprises of this season, the New Jersey Devils have been on a tear this year and have shown in signs of slowing down. Trying to make their return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, the Devils have shown they can defy the odds and match up against the upper echelon of the league.

The Devils have thrived in the face of adversity and nothing exemplifies this better than their winning percentage as an underdog. In their 33 games played as the underdog this season, the Devils have won a whopping 75% of these games.

There’s always value when backing the underdog so start backing up in the brink’s truck when you bet on the Devils to claim the victory when slated to lose by online oddsmakers.


Buffalo Sabres to Cover (+1.5)


Finally stringing together a competitive regular season campaign, the Buffalo Sabres have been rock solid this year as they hope to put an end to their playoff drought. While the Sabres are not always given the edge in head-to-head matchups, back the Sabres to cover the puckline as an underdog this season.

The Sabres have had the odds against them 35 times this season, yet, they hold a positive win/loss record, as well as a positive goal-per-game differential of +0.32. With the Sabres constantly underestimated, back them to cover the spread against their opponents in the second half of the 2023 season and score yourself a safe win with this reliable squad.

Timo Meier Over Shots On Goal


One of two amazing player prop trends for you to sink your teeth into, Timo Meier is a brilliant pick to reach Over his slated Shots on Goal line. Meier takes 15.2% of all shots taken by the San Jose Sharks, the highest percentage by any player on any team in the NHL.

A leader on the high-powered Sharks offence, Meier always leaves his mark on the game, now you can back him to leave his mark on your account balance after taking the Over on his shots on goal total.

John Gibson Over Saves Made


Another fantastic NHL player prop trend comes from the starting goaltender of the Anaheim Ducks, John Gibson. While Gibson has struggled during his career on weak Ducks teams, he is one of the best netminders to back in total saves made in a matchup.

With a weak defensive front ahead of him, Gibson is forced to keep his team within the game on a regular basis, making stellar saves on ample shots on goal. Averaging the most saves per game in the NHL, Gibson is always a great bet to reach the Over on his save total.

FADE Anaheim Ducks (+1.5)


Even with the heroic efforts of John Gibson between the pipes, the Anaheim Ducks have been downright awful this season. Struggling to scrape together wins, the Ducks have been on the wrong side of a lopsided beatdown multiple times this year.

With the worst goal-per-game differential in the NHL at -1.54, the Ducks are always a great team to fade when given standard puckline odds. Not just having difficulties in gaining the lead, but in staying within striking distance of their opponents, anything less than +2.5 puckline is too great of a risk to bet on when it comes to the Ducks.

Fade oddsmakers suggesting that the Ducks even have a chance to make things competitive, do not bet on the Ducks at +1.5.


FADE Florida Panthers (-1.5)


A team that has been favoured in 72% of their games played this season but has been atrocious on the puckline, the Florida Panthers are a must-fade in the backend of the NHL season.

Not looking nearly as strong as they were projected to be this season, the Panthers have been disappointing on the ice and on the bet slips this season. With a +.02 goal-per-game differential, the Panthers are barely squeaking out a win, let alone claiming a multi-goal victory.

Fade the Panthers into the final half of the NHL season and secure yourself a huge win while the Panthers take another tough loss against the spread.


Matt Eichhorn

Matt Eichhorn

Having worked in the Sports Gambling industry since 2020, Eichhorn has expertise in all things sports betting. With experience covering various major North American sports leagues he has a wide array of knowledge to draw from when crafting his work.