As one of the newer teams in the NHL, the Phoenix Coyotes debuted ahead of the 1996 season, as the franchise was formerly the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Ahead of the 2014 season, the team rebranded again, this time to the Arizona Coyotes which they remain today.
When sportsbooks began popping up in the Grand Canyon State nearly a decade later, NHL betting in Arizona was ready to go as the state’s love of hockey was cemented.
Best AZ sportsbooks for NHL betting
With nearly 20 online sportsbooks now available in the state, bettors have no shortage of options to choose from. Some are better than others when it comes to betting on hockey, however, as we take a closer look at the best AZ sportsbooks for NHL betting.
FanDuel Sportsbook
Thanks to a partnership with the Phoenix Suns, which includes a retail sportsbook at the Footprint Center, FanDuel Sportsbook has formed a home in the Valley and is a trusted partner in the community. As one of the first sportsbook operators to set up shop in Arizona in September 2021, FanDuel Sportsbook AZ quickly became a fan favorite for NHL betting, as they offer a wide variety of bet types and betting markets within the league.
Their welcome offer has also been a popular incentive for new customers to sign up for accounts, as those bonus bets can be used on NHL betting and beyond. As the first major player in the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), FanDuel has a fantastic mobile betting app that contains all the great features from their desktop site, at the top of bettors’ fingertips.
DraftKings Sportsbook
Also a founding member of the DFS-craze in the U.S. DraftKings Sportsbook was one of the first sports betting companies to market following the overturning of The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in mid-2018. Since then, their footprint has rapidly expanded, now live in 21 states, including AZ as of September 21, all of which offer a full menu of NHL betting.
For DraftKings AZ bettors, it was also recently announced that they are getting into the local retail sportsbook market, via a brick-and-mortar betting location at the TPC Scottsdale golf course. With their iconic NHL Same Game Parlay feature, in addition to a plethora of NHL Futures and In-Game betting options, DraftKings Sportsbook AZ is a must-stop for anyone NHL betting in Arizona.
BetMGM Sportsbook
With four retail sportsbook locations in Arizona at Wilde Horse Pass Casino, Lone Butte Casino, Vee Quiva, and State Farm Stadium, BetMGM Sportsbook has laid down a home away from home in the Grand Canyon State. All of those retail sportsbooks, in addition to the best-in-class mobile app, offer a full menu of NHL betting options and features.
As part of their agreement to set up a retail sportsbook at State Farm Stadium, BetMGM Sportsbook also has a partnership with the local Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. One of the most unique features at BetMGM Sportsbook AZ is their “Edit My Bet” functionality, which allows players to edit their parlays as they unfold from game to game. While other sportsbooks offer similar features, in my experience, BetMGM does it the best when it comes to NHL betting and parlays.
Caesars Sportsbook
Similar to BetMGM Caesars Sportsbook has made a home in the desert, with four retail sportsbooks spread across the state including Harrah’s Ak-Chin, Arizona Downs, Bull Shooters Billiards & Sports Bar, and the Diamondbacks Chase Field.
One of the biggest draws for regular customers at Caesars Sportsbook AZ is their generous loyalty program, which offers NHL bettors a chance to earn points with each bet, which they can then use at participating Caesars Entertainment events and resorts.
BetRivers Sportsbook
Coming out of another NHL-crazed town, Pittsburgh, BetRivers as we know it today was founded in 2019. They then joined the Arizona sports betting scene a month after launch in October 2021 and quickly became a go-to source for NHL betting in the state.
Their iRush loyalty program, similar to Caesars, offers NHL bettors points for every bet placed, which they can then use for a variety of prizes and other correlated promotional offers.
If you are just starting out betting NHL in Arizona, you should be aware of all of the great promotional offers available at online Arizona sportsbooks. Take a look below at the top three NHL betting promos that Arizona sportsbooks offer.
How do I bet on the NHL online in Arizona?
Now that you know where the best places to bet on the NHL online in Arizona are and the best NHL betting promos available, the question remains how do you get involved? Here are the basic steps to bet on the NHL online in Arizona, using one of our trust partners DraftKings Arizona.
What types of bets can you place on ice hockey?
With competition plentiful across the state, online sportsbooks in Arizona continue to offer an expanding menu of NHL betting. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most popular types of bets you can place on ice hockey at Arizona sportsbooks, all of which apply to all three periods plus overtime.
NHL wagering odds
With the knowledge of the various NHL bet types available for you to bet, let’s take a look at some hypothetical bets involving Arizona’s own Arizona Coyotes.
Puck Line (Including OT)
Arizona Coyotes +1.5 (-140) vs. Philadelphia Flyers -1.5 (+130)
In this example, oddsmakers are anticipating a closer game, as Coyote puck line backers have to lay $140 to win $100. Accordingly, if they were to lose 2-3 to the Flyers, Coyote backers would win their bet as they would have lost by less than 1.5. Conversely, Flyer backers would need Philadelphia to win by at least two goals (i.e. 4-2) to win their bet.
Moneyline (Including OT)
Arizona Coyotes (+135) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (-150)
In this example, the Coyotes are underdogs in their matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bettors placing a wager on the Coyotes would win 1.35x their risk amount if their side were to win. Conversely, bettors on the Penguins would win .67x (100/150) of their risked amount if the Penguins were to win.
Total (Including OT)
Arizona Coyotes vs. Washington Capitals - Over 6.5 (-130) Under 6.5 (+115)
In this matchup, oddsmakers are expecting a high-scoring game between the Coyotes and Capitals. As such, if the final score was Coyotes 4 Capitals 3, the total number of goals scored would be seven, and “over” bettors would be winners. As we see above with the moneyline, “over” bettors would win .77x (100/130) of their amount risked, with the over shaded to -130.
Tips for NHL wagering in Arizona
Now that you are caught up on all things NHL betting in Arizona, it’s time to get in on the action. As someone who bets on the league regularly, here are a few of my best tips for NHL wagering in Arizona.