NBA Season
Expected October 2026
NHL Season 2026 — Odds, Facts & Betting Guide
Expected September 2026 · United States & Canada, North America
Exact dates have not yet been confirmed by the organisers. This page will be updated as soon as they are.
FreeBetsLad may earn a commission from links on this page. This does not influence our editorial content.
The NHL is the premier ice hockey league in the world, contested by 32 teams across the United States and Canada. The 2026–27 season is expected to begin in late September 2026 and, for the first time since 1993–94, will feature an expanded 84-game regular season.
The season builds to the Stanley Cup playoffs in spring 2027 and the Stanley Cup Final in June. Hockey betting covers the championship outright, division and conference markets, and nightly puck lines, totals and player props.
Where to find the latest odds
All odds are indicative only and subject to change. New customers only. T&Cs apply. 18+.
NHL Season: fast facts
- The 2026–27 NHL season is expected to begin in late September 2026.
- It features an 84-game regular season, expanded from 82 for the first time since 1993–94.
- Thirty-two teams compete across the Eastern and Western Conferences.
- The season climaxes with the Stanley Cup Final in June 2027.
- The Utah franchise competes as the Utah Mammoth after rebranding in the off-season.
- The Montreal Canadiens hold the record with 24 Stanley Cup championships.
Past winners
| Year | Winner | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Florida Panthers | Successfully defended the Stanley Cup |
| 2024 | Florida Panthers | First Stanley Cup in franchise history |
| 2023 | Vegas Golden Knights | First title, in only their sixth season |
| 2022 | Colorado Avalanche | Beat the two-time champion Lightning |
| 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Back-to-back Stanley Cups |
| 2020 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Won the bubble playoffs |
| 2019 | St. Louis Blues | First title in franchise history |
| 2018 | Washington Capitals | Ovechkin's first championship |
| 2017 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Back-to-back Cups |
| 2016 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Beat the Sharks in the Final |
How to bet on NHL Season
NHL betting offers season-long futures — Stanley Cup, conference and division winners, points totals — alongside a busy nightly schedule. Goaltending matchups and back-to-back games are major factors that move individual game prices.
The money line, puck line (a 1.5-goal handicap) and game total are the staple markets. Hockey is a high-variance sport where hot goaltending can swing a series, which keeps underdog and series-price markets appealing.
With games most nights across a long season and playoffs, discipline beats volume. Focus on matchups you understand, factor in goaltending and scheduling, and keep every stake within a sensible budget.
Popular markets
- Stanley Cup outright
- Conference winner
- Division winner
- Regular-season points totals
- Puck line
- Player props (Hart Trophy, points)
NHL Season 2026: your questions answered
When does the NHL season 2026-27 start?
The 2026–27 NHL season is expected to begin in late September 2026, with the Stanley Cup Final in June 2027. Exact dates are confirmed on the schedule release.
Who won the Stanley Cup in 2025?
The Florida Panthers won the 2025 Stanley Cup, defending their title.
Why is the 2026-27 NHL season 84 games?
Under a new collective bargaining agreement, the regular season expands from 82 to 84 games — the first change since 1993–94.
Which team has won the most Stanley Cups?
The Montreal Canadiens, with a record 24 championships.
What is the puck line in hockey betting?
A hockey handicap, almost always set at 1.5 goals, where the favourite must win by two or more for the bet to land.