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NHL often gets top billing on online bookmakers’ sports menus, and this is due to multiple reasons. You have access to diverse wagering opportunities, from basic moneyline bets to player props, puck lines, and totals. Additionally, the regular season and playoff calendar provide almost year-round access to betting markets.
Hockey can indeed be highly unpredictable, and that’s why you must understand how NHL betting lines work when betting on a Stanley Cup contender, backing an underdog on the puck line, or predicting the total number of goals scored. Keep reading to learn how to read NHL odds and the best bet types to use throughout the season.
- NHL moneyline bets are straightforward and easy to understand.
- Prop bets are interesting but increase the risk a lot.
- There are great opportunities on point spread bets for the NHL.
- Overtime and shootouts count toward standard NHL moneyline bets.
What Is an NHL Moneyline?
The NHL moneyline bet is the most common type of bet that you can place. You are betting on the outcome of the game – which team will win, not considering the goal difference. Moneyline bets are straightforward, and you are betting on a team to win, usually with pre-set odds.
Regular-season games that end in a tie after regulation proceed to overtime before a winner is determined: ‘During regular-season games, if the game remains tied at the end of the five (5) minute overtime period, the teams will proceed to a shootout’, according to the NHL official rules. This is important to know since standard NHL moneyline wagers include overtime and shootouts when determining the winning team. However, with a 3-way moneyline bet, you can also wager on a tie. This bet only considers the score during regulation.
Generally, the NHL odds are displayed in American odds format, and the favorite is displayed with negative odds (for example, -180), while the underdog is displayed with positive odds (for example, + 140).
One exciting thing about hockey, particularly the NHL, is the overtime and the changed rules about no matches ending in ties. The updated rules state that if a match ends in a tie, there is a 3-on-3 overtime that lasts 5 minutes, with a sudden death rule – the first team to score wins the game. It significantly affects the odds, which makes the moneyline an attractive bet in the NHL.
What Is an NHL Puck Line Bet?
The puck line bet is also known as a Canadian line; this is similar to a point spread bet that forces the bettors to choose between generally even odds, and the bet is placed on the guess of which team will cover the preset point amount. So, the match favorite will have to win the game by the preset goals, while the underdog will be afforded a few goals they are allowed to lose.
Even though it sounds a bit confusing initially, hockey is a low-scoring event, and the puck line is usually + or –1.5 goals (which can change if there are significant differences between the teams).
To win that example bet, your chosen team must win by at least two goals for you to win the wager, as it then covers the set point spread. The favorite team must win by at least two goals, but the underdog can lose by one goal to cover the puck line. A straightforward example that covers this: if your chosen team loses by a score of 3-2, but you’ve bet on a +1.5 puck line, you still win the bet.
What Is an NHL Over/Under Bet?
The over/under bet is also favored among NHL bettors; in this bet, you place a bet on the total number of scored goals, regardless of which team will win the game. In most reputable sportsbooks, the over/under line is usually at 5 or 5.5 goals. It means that if you bet on over 5.5, you get to win if more than six goals are scored during the game, and if you bet on under 5.5, you’ll win if five or fewer goals are scored during the match.
What Is an NHL Player Props Bet?
The NHL player props bets are a fascinating and popular bet type that most NHL fans love. The player props bets focus on the performance of an individual player or team, and are not related to the game’s final score.
Some examples of player props bets are betting on the number of goals you think a player will score, how many assists you think a player will make, shots at the goal, saves, or something else. These are found at all reputable NFL betting sites, and most offer an incredible variety of player props or team props bets with appealing odds that can add to your excitement and even win you a few bucks.
What Is an NHL Futures Bet?
NHL futures bets allow you to make long-term predictions. You are not betting on a single game, but on the overall success a team has in a given season. Some futures bets include betting on a specific team to win the Stanley Cup, their division, or to become the conference champion.
Future wagers are available throughout the regular season and playoffs, but the betting lines will shift as a team’s performance improves or declines. The best odds are available before the start of the season.
One of the most popular NHL futures markets is the Stanley Cup winner bet. For example, if you place a preseason wager on the Carolina Hurricanes at +400 odds to win the Stanley Cup, a successful $100 bet would generate $400 in profit if the Hurricanes lift the trophy at the end of the season.
The best betting apps also offer futures markets on individual awards such as league MVP. These bets provide attractive odds, but require patience because your wager may remain open for several months.
✅ NHL Bets at a Glance
| Bet Type | What You’re Betting On | Typical Line | Overtime Included? | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Which team wins the game | Team A -150 / Team B +130 | Yes | Beginner |
| Puck Line | If a team covers the spread | -1.5 / +1.5 goals | Yes | Beginner/Intermediate |
| Over/Under | Total goals scored by both teams | 5.5 or 6.5 goals | Yes | Beginner |
| Player Props | Individual player performance | -120 or +140 | Depends on market | Intermediate |
| Futures | Long-term season outcomes | +400 up to +5,000 | No | Intermediate |
How to Read NHL Betting Odds?
The NHL odds are displayed in an American format at most online sportsbooks, so you’ll see positive and negative odds. The positive odds denote that a team (or an outcome) is less likely to win, and the negative odds mean that the team is more likely to win or the outcome to happen. Higher numbers also denote that a team is more or less likely to win.
Reading the NHL odds is relatively straightforward. You will see a ‘plus’ or ‘minus’ sign in front of the odds. Positive odds show how much money you can earn on a $100 wager, while negative odds show how much you need to stake to earn $100 in profit.
For example, if the bookmaker sees the Detroit Red Wings as a longshot and gives them a +140 betting line, it means that with a $100 bet, you can potentially win $140. Now let’s look at an example with a favorite, which in our theoretical scenario will be the Boston Bruins, which get -160 odds. In this case, you would need to wager $160 to win $100, plus you get your stake back.
Once you understand how positive and negative odds work, you can more easily find NFL betting lines that offer better value across sportsbooks.
Factors That Influence NHL Betting Odds
Learning how to read betting lines creates the foundation for NHL betting, but if you want to achieve success, you must consider several factors when compiling a betting slip, as they can impact the value of the odds and the outcome of a game. Do not forget, ice hockey is a low-scoring sport, and even the smallest differences in team performance, player availability, and scheduling can influence the score. Let’s examine some factors you need to consider.
✅ Starting Goalies
The keeper of the goal net is one of the most important players on an NHL roster, and the starting job usually goes to the best goalie on the team. Bookmakers adjust their lines if a starting goalie is not available. Always check before placing an NHL bet, if the team’s elite goaltender will be on the ice rink, since they can make it a low-scoring game.
It’s not hard to confirm the expected starting goalie; most news outlets will have that info, but you should also look at their recent performance, especially save percentage and goals-against average. A backup goalie starting unexpectedly can significantly alter moneyline and over/under betting markets.
✅ Injuries and Lineup Changes
Injuries occur all the time, it’s not something you can predict, but they quickly change NHL betting odds. When a team loses a forward, their scoring ability decreases, while a defenseman who is sidelined for a week or more due to injury can have an even bigger impact because they influence how many chances to score the opponent can create. A team missing key players may still win, but the betting line may no longer offer the same value.
✅ Home Advantage
Bookmakers tend to see home teams as favorites. This is logical since they benefit from support from local fans, and there are no travel demands. Coaches look to take advantage of these factors and make a better match for opposing lines. However, home advantage varies between teams. You should look beyond the basic home/away record.
✅ Recent Form
A team’s recent record does not always tell the complete story. Some teams can have won their previous couple of games, despite being outplayed, and others can lose despite creating many scoring chances. Bookmakers look at recent performances when tailoring odds, and you should too. Here are a few parameters to use when evaluating teams:
- Goals scored and allowed
- Shots on goal
- Expected goals (xG)
- Quality of scoring chances
- Recent strength of opponents
✅ Schedule Fatigue
NHL teams play a lot of games, and often in a short period. This fast rhythm can cause fatigue, which in turn affects performance. Teams playing a back-to-back schedule will have less energy, especially if they have to travel between cities. Fatigue can affect:
- Defensive mistakes
- Shot volume
- Goaltending performance
- Third-period play
Checking a team’s schedule to identify situations where the betting line may not fully reflect fatigue factors.
✅ Team Matchup
Some teams are better against certain opponents. That is precisely why you need to look at head to head history. Sometimes a long-standing rivalry can bring out the best in teams, or maybe a contrast in styles can lead to an unexpected matchup. A good defensive team can limit scoring chances, for example. Looking at the matchup can show you which is the better bet to make.
Responsible NHL Betting
The daily betting opportunities and the long NHL season make it easy to lose track of how much you are gambling. We advocate responsible betting, and to help you maintain control, our team prepared a list of essential strategies you can implement to stay safe.
- Define a gambling budget before the NHL season begins. The amount should be based on the money you can afford to lose each month, without sacrificing the funds you need to pay bills or rent.
- You will have bad betting days, which will frustrate you, but keep in mind that chasing losses is not a valid strategy to recover previous losses.
- Bet only on markets you have knowledge about the teams. By being selective with your wagers, you can avoid risky bets.
- Player props and same-game parlay bets offer large payout potential, but you have to use these bets reasonably since they carry higher risk.
- There is no need to bet every day. You should take breaks during the week. Make sure you rest during the busy days of the NHL calendar.
- If your NHL betting starts to drain your finances, consider reaching out to Gamblers Anonymous or other responsible gambling organizations.
Conclusion
The NHL is and will be among the favorite sports one can bet on, and the moneyline, puck line, over/under, and player props bets are the most famous bets you can place. The great thing is that you can find these bets available at many reputable online sportsbooks with the NHL on their list.
Of course, the odds for each bet can vary from one sportsbook to the other, but lucky for you, we have you covered with suggestions for tested, reputable online sports betting platforms that carry NHL betting, and you can find incredible betting opportunities.
FAQs
Where Can I Bet on the NHL Online?
Yes, you can bet online, and you should select an online betting platform that offers varied offers and provides all the NHL betting lines you want. We created a list of the best online NHL betting sites you can check out if you wish to bet on it.
Does Overtime Count in NHL Betting?
Yes, overtime counts in NHL betting, especially with moneyline bets, where overtime and the sudden-death rule may drastically change someone’s luck. That won’t happen for three-way moneyline bets, so pay attention.
What Happens to Player Props Market Bets If a Player Doesn’t Play?
It depends on the game and the online sports betting platform you’ve selected, but most often, if a player does not play, all related player props bets are void.
What Does the Puck Line Mean in Hockey Betting?
A puck line in hockey betting is the bet where the weaker team is awarded an imaginary advantage to even the odds a little. In hockey, the puck line actually denotes the number of goals a team is to win or lose by (depending on whether you are betting on the favorite or the underdog).
How Does Point Spread Work in Hockey?
As hockey is a low-scoring sport, sportsbooks put a number that the final score must differ from for a wager to win. In the NHL, the point spread is usually put at + or –1.5, so the favorite team must win by 2 or more goals (if you bet on it) or lose by less than 2 goals (if you choose to go that way).
What Does Over/Under Mean in Hockey?
The over/under betting in hockey means betting on the total number of goals between both teams and whether these will be over or under the number set by the bookmaker. The over/under in the NHL is often set at 5 to 5.5 goals.
