Table of contents
It is made up of 32 teams, 25 from the United States and seven from Canada. Ice Hockey originated in Canada but quickly spread across the United States, particularly in Northeast and Midwestern states due to their cold climates.
The NHL was created back in 1917 in Montreal, Canada and has competed as one of America’s most popular sports with Baseball, Basketball and American Football ever since.
© Can Stock Photo / Vanell
Sportsbooks provide that further excitement to the league with odds on games, championships, and players for all types of bets, especially since the 2018 legislation change in the United States.
NHL draws in big crowds over the United States and Canada every gameday, with some of the most exciting experiences and highest quality of ice hockey in the world.
New Jersey Devils
The Devils play in the Atlantic Division of the Easter Conference and have struggled in recent years to live up to their 1990’s and early 2000’s success.
They have won the NHLs major trophy, the Stanley Cup three times, in 1995, 2000, and 2003 but have been without a title in nearly 20 years.
In 1993, after a history without a Stanley Cup win, the Devils hired Jacques Lemaire as their coach who created a defense-orientated system and found a period of strong success due to their coach’s work.
The Devils have struggled again this season, after 82 games they sit second bottom with 63 points, only ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers who have 61. Their odds, as reported by OLBG, are often long. The types of bets punters should consider with the side will often include high scoring games with the Devils conceding the most in their division with 307 from 82 games.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are the most successful franchise in the NHL having won 25 titles in their history.
Montreal is the home of Ice Hockey, the birthplace of the game though they are not on the best of runs this side of the millennium.
© Can Stock Photo / EdwBart
Their 24 Stanley Cups came between 1915/16 through to 1992/93 though there has not been a title now in 30 years, a long run which fans have found hard to accept.
Sadly, for fans this season, the Canadiens sit bottom of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. Plans will be being made for next season already as after 82 games they have the lowest points total in the NHL with 55.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Staying in Canada, and fierce rivals to the Canadiens, the Maple Leafs are riding high in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Currently second, behind the Florida Panthers, the Maple Leaf’s look set for a playoff run this season.
The Maple Leafs and Canadiens have met 16 times in the playoffs, including five Stanley Cup Finals and the two sides were the only Canadian representatives from 1938 to 1970.
Toronto has 13 Stanley Cups to their name, some way off their rivals, but will be doing all they can this season to try and get one step closer.
Chicago Blackhawks
One of the most popular sides in the NHL, the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2021 had the most followers on a NHL team Facebook account with 2.76 million fans. To put into context, the NHL itself has 4.64 million fans on its Facebook page.
They have six Stanley Cup titles while having won 16 Division Championships as well. Their latest period of dominance came in 2009/10 to 2014/15 where they won three Stanley Cups.
The Blackhawks were one of the original six teams to have created the NHL in 1926 alongside the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and the New York Rangers.
They play their games at the United Center, which they share with the Chicago Bulls NBA side which holds 19,717 fans for Ice Hockey games.
Anaheim Ducks
Based in sunny California, the Ducks were founded in 1993 by the Walt Disney Company as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, a name based on their hit 1992 film, the Mighty Ducks.
In 2005 the team was sold to Henry and Susan Sanueli who have since changed the name and took the team to their first Stanley Cup title in the 2006/07 season.
They play their games at the Honda Center in Anaheim where 17,174 people can attend their games.
This season has not been what they would have hoped for, sitting second bottom in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. After 82 games they have 76 points, a long way off the playoff line. The NHL is an all action, exciting sport which draws crowds from around the world, especially in Canada and the United States.
It is a sport which is a bucket list experience for sports fans, with so much to enjoy and an all-adrenaline match which will be well worth the attendance and the travel time.
