Hockey is a high-variance sport, which makes NHL betting on Polymarket a paradise for savvy traders. Because a single goal can completely shift the win probability of a game, the share prices on Polymarket are extremely volatile. For those who understand goalie statistics and advanced puck-possession metrics, trading shares on the NHL is one of the most profitable niches on the platform. Before you start trading hockey, you need to understand the rhythm of the season and the importance of liquidity.

Trading the Stanley Cup Playoffs

The intensity of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is perfectly captured on Polymarket. During a 7-game series, the “Series Winner” market is a battleground for speculators. You can buy shares in a team that falls behind 2-0 in a series at a deep discount, and sell them back if they tie it up at 2-2. This type of series-level trading is much more efficient on an exchange than at a traditional sportsbook where the “hold” is too high. In the NHL, the starting goalie is everything. Markets on Polymarket react violently to goalie announcements. If you follow beat reporters, you can often buy shares based on a backup goalie being named before the market fully adjusts.