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How to bet on the NHL Stanley Cup

With the NHL brimming with top class franchises, the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs look set to be the most exciting yet. The famous trophy is one of the oldest and most cherished prizes in sport. The Cup was first awarded in 1893, and today, the tension and excitement around predicting the Stanley Cup winner is better than ever. We've put together all the most relevant Stanley Cup 2023 information for you below.

Stanley Cup 2023 picks and predictions

The 2023 NHL season looks set to be one of the most exciting yet. Take a look and see who our handicappers are picking this year.

Stanley Cup MVP betting

One of the most exciting Stanley Cup betting markets is the MVP prop bet . I t is given to the individual who is viewed as the most valuable player (MVP) during each NHL post-season.

The winner is determined by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and is named after Toronto Maple Leafs’ former owner, general manager, and head coach. It differs from MVP awards in other American sports, as it’s awarded to the player with the best performance over the entirety of the post-season, not just in the finals.

NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup explained

Want to know how the NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup format works? We've broken it down for you with a comprehensive explainer. Our NHL playoff breakdown covers everything from home advantage and fixture dates to seedings and the format for the final. So if you are new to NHL betting and don't feel entirely comfortable making Stanley Cup picks yet, see our Stanley Cup explainer here.

Most memorable Stanley Cup wins

The Stanley Cup playoffs throws up some of the most exciting games in all of sport. From the Montreal Canadiens shock playoff win over the Maple Leafs last year, to the ‘Miracle on Manchester’ in 1982, there is no shortage of drama on the biggest hockey stage of them all. We've compiled a list of the six most memorable Stanley Cup wins. Check it out here.

Stanley Cup winners 1981 - 2022

YearTeam
2022Colorado Avalanche
2021Tampa Bay Lightning
2020Tampa Bay Lightning
2019St. Louis Blues
2018Washington Capitals
2017Pittsburgh Penguins
2016Pittsburgh Penguins
2015Chicago Blackhawks
2014Los Angeles Kings
2013Chicago Blackhawks
2012Los Angeles Kings
2011Boston Bruins
2010Chicago Blackhawks
2009Pittsburgh Penguins
2008Detroit Red Wings
2007Anaheim Ducks
2006Carolina Hurricanes
2005Season canceled due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout
2004Tampa Bay Lightning
2003New Jersey Devils
2002Detroit Red Wings
2001Colorado Avalanche
2000New Jersey Devils
1999Dallas Stars
1998Detroit Red Wings
1997Detroit Red Wings
1996Colorado Avalanche
1995New Jersey Devils
1994New York Rangers
1993Montreal Canadiens
1992Pittsburgh Penguins
1991Pittsburgh Penguins
1990Edmonton Oilers
1989Calgary Flames
1988Edmonton Oilers
1987Edmonton Oilers
1986Montreal Canadiens
1985Edmonton Oilers
1984Edmonton Oilers
1983New York Islanders
1982New York Islanders
1981New York Islanders

Live betting on the Stanley Cup

The Stanley Cup is the perfect event for live betting, with a guaranteed four games (at least) of hockey to enjoy. The twists and turns in the best of seven series mean that the pregame odds don’t always reflect the action that happens during the matchup, so the odds are constantly updating. If you’re watching and see the momentum swinging, you can take advantage in real time.

Live betting with Stanley Cup betting sites online means you can stay involved and bet on the game as play unfolds, even if you already have pregame or futures bets placed from hours, days or months before.

Stanley Cup prop bets

Today, Stanley Cup betting online can be done from anywhere, a definite change from when the “Original Six” franchises began play back in 1942. The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings made up the league in 1942, but today, there are 31 teams in the NHL, playing a combined 1,271 regular season games. Betting can take place as soon as odds on the Stanley Cup are released and you can back any team in the hope that they make it to hockey’s biggest stage.

Stanley Cup prop bets differ from other hockey wagers because they refer to specific bets outside of selecting the winner of each game. Stanley Cup betting sites provide countless examples of these prop bets, which may include anything from predicting the performance of a certain player, the result of a period, or even an over/under on the number of goals scored throughout the Stanley Cup series.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) skates with the Conn Smythe Trophy. Ⓒ Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) skates with the Conn Smythe Trophy. Pic: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Stanley Cup MVP

The Conn Smythe Trophy has been a hockey tradition since 1965 and is handed out every season to the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Finals. Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy won the prize in 2021 for his incredible performances throughout the playoffs.

Former Montreal Canadiens netminder Patrick Roy won the Conn Smythe three times, in 1986, 1993, and 2001 – more than any player in league history.

Stanley Cup odds are posted before each NHL season, but prop bets to win the Conn Smythe Trophy are also posted by various Stanley Cup betting sites. Odds to win the award vary throughout the year, and bettors who want to place a wager on this prop bet often wait until the Stanley Cup matchup is decided to pick. However, if you have your own pick before or during the season, you’ll find the most favorable odds the earlier you decide.

Stanley Cup betting advice

As well as doing your homework on form and matchups, there are many ways to take advantage of the competition among sportsbooks that want you to wager with them. Stanley Cup betting sites offer bonuses when betting on the most exciting event in hockey; whether you’re signing up for the first time, or a longtime customer looking for special promotions.

It’s important to compare these offers and make sure to read the details. Stanley Cup betting sites may offer you extra money based on your deposit, but you may not be able to withdraw your cash until you make more bets. If you plan to make a single bet and then take your profit, you could be limited by the fine print.

However, if you compare deals, you can find the offer that works best for you.

Best NHL offers 2022

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Stanley Cup betting FAQs

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