How and where to bet on Hurricanes vs. Panthers Game 2 on Thursday, May 22: Best NHL betting apps

The reigning champions took care of business in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, as the Florida Panthers handed the Carolina Hurricanes a 5-2 drubbing on their own ice. Florida continues its quest for a second straight Stanley Cup title in Game 2 on Thursday. Can Sebastian Aho and the Canes even the series, or will they be down 2-0 when they head south to Florida? Carolina is a -130 favorite for Game 2, per the latest SportsLine consensus odds, and the total is 5.5. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Looking to take advantage of sportsbook promos at some of the top betting apps to get into NHL betting? Are you trying to determine where you should play NHL player props, or more standard wagers like the money line or spread? We’ve got you covered with a look at the best NHL betting sites. 

Here, we’ll break down how to bet on the NHL, where to bet on the NHL and share the best betting apps. Here’s how and where to bet on the NHL playoffs, as well as the top available NHL promos for new users.

Where to bet the NHL

Those looking to bet on the NHL can do so with sportsbooks and apps like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics, bet365 and Caesars. 

On this page, we’ll keep you up to date on the top options for betting on the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs using the best NHL betting apps.

Best NHL betting promos

FanDuel Sportsbook promo code

The FanDuel Sportsbook new user offer gives new users $200 in bonus bets if they win their first bet of at least $5. No promo code is required for this offer, and there’s no minimum odds requirement for that first bet. To claim this offer, click any of the FanDuel links on this page. If you place a first bet of at least $5 and win, you receive $200 in bonus bets. You can use those bonus bets as one $200 bet or multiple bets, like 10 $20 bets, for instance. If you win a bet using bonus bets, you receive only the winnings and not the original stake. Bonus bets expire after seven days. 

DraftKings Sportsbook promo code

The DraftKings Sportsbook welcome offer gives new users $300 in bonus bets if their first bet (minimum $5) wins. No promo code is required for this offer, simply click any of the DraftKings links on this page to sign up and claim this offer. You don’t need to win your first bet in order to receive the $200 in bonus bets, which are credited in the form of eight $25 bonus bet tokens. These tokens expire after seven days, and if you win a bet using them, you receive the winnings but not the stake back. 

BetMGM Sportsbook promo code

Using the BetMGM promo code CBSSPORTS grants new users a welcome offer involving your first bet where, if your first bet loses, you receive your stake back in the form of bonus bets up to $1,500. If your bet wins, you receive the winnings and stake in cash like any other bet. If your first bet is under $50 and loses, you receive a single bonus bet equal to the amount wagered. If your bet is for $50 or more and loses, you get your stake back in five bonus bets each worth 20% of your initial wager. For example, if your first bet was $500 and it lost, you’d receive five $100 bonus bet tokens. New users will also receive a $50 bonus bet regardless of your wager’s outcome. Bonus bets expire after seven days. 

Fanatics Sportsbook promo code

The Fanatics Sportsbook welcome offer is for $1,000 in No Sweat Bets. No promo code is required. Click any Fanatics link on this page to sign up and claim this offer. With this promo, if any of your first bets of the day for your first 10 days with the sportsbook lose, you receive your stake back in bonus bets covered up to $100 each for a maximum return of $1,000. You must opt into this offer each day, and there’s a minimum wager of $10 at -500 odds or longer for this offer. Bonus bets expire after seven days and will be credited to your account within 72 hours of your bet settling. Bets won using bonus bets only return the winnings and not the stake. 

bet365 Sportsbook promo code 

Using the bet365 promo code CBSBET365, new users receive $150 in bonus bets after placing a first bet of at least $5. After signing up, deposit at least $10 and place a first bet of at least $5 to receive those bonus bets. Bonus bets will be credited to your account after your bet settles and expire after seven days. If you win a bet using bonus bets, you receive the winnings but not the stake. 

Caesars Sportsbook promo code

New users who sign up with Caesars Sportsbook can use the Caesars promo code CBSDYW to receive 10 100% profit boosts after placing a first wager of at least $1. The profit boosts expire after seven days. The maximum wager for a bet using a profit boost token is $25, and the maximum in additional winnings for each token is $2,500.

How to bet on the NHL

Using your phone, tablet or computer for sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics, bet365 or Caesars, you can place bets on the NHL Eastern and Western Conference Finals, be it the series as a whole, specific games or different prop bets. Here are some NHL wagers you can make for these two series and the incoming Stanley Cup Finals. 

• Money line: Here, you are choosing which team will win the game. 
• Spread: You are backing a team based on the margin of victory. For example, backing a team at -1.5 would mean that team, which is favored, has to win by two or more goals in order to cover and return a winning wager. Backing their opponent at +1.5 would mean that team, which is the underdog in this case, would either need to win the game or lose by one goal.
• Over/Under: Also known as the total, you are betting on whether the two teams will combine to go Over or Under the projected total score. For example, if the total for a game is 5.5, an Under finish would be the teams combining for five or fewer goals, while an Over finish would see the two teams score six or more combined goals.  
• Props: Prop wagers are often tied to players’ stat lines, such as how many goals, assists, total points or shots on goals they will have that game. 
• Parlay: A parlay is combining multiple bets into one slip. This multiplies your potential payout, but it’s also easier to lose because if one leg of your parlay fails, the entire ticket fails. 
• Live betting: Odds change during games, and live betting is placing a wager after the game has begun. If there’s a low-scoring first period, for example, the game’s total may shift from 5.5 to 3.5.

Rules and responsible gaming

Bettors should know their limits and practice responsible gaming. Sportsbooks offer responsible gaming resources and tools for its users, like time and wager limits and self-exclusion lists. Some national responsible gambling resources include the National Council for Problem Gambling (NCPG) and Gamblers Anonymous. You can also call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).