NHL Betting Guide

NHL Betting in 2 Minutes

NHL betting offers a unique experience compared to other major sports. The fast pace, low scoring, and importance of goaltending create distinct betting opportunities for those who understand hockey. Whether you want to pick winners, bet on puck lines, predict game totals, or wager on player props, the NHL provides markets for every skill level.

This guide covers everything you need to know about betting on NHL games. You will learn how hockey odds work, which bet types fit different situations, and what hockey-specific factors matter when making decisions. The goal is to help you understand the sport from a betting perspective so you can make informed choices.

Quick glossary of key terms:

• Puck line - Hockey's version of the point spread, typically set at 1.5 goals
• Regulation time - The standard 60 minutes of play (three 20-minute periods), not including overtime
• Three-way moneyline - Moneyline that only covers regulation, with a tie option
• Goaltender - The goalie, whose performance heavily influences game outcomes and betting lines

NHL betting is entertainment first. Before placing any bet, set a budget you can afford to lose and treat any winnings as a bonus rather than expected income. Now let us get into the specifics of how NHL betting works.

How to Bet on NHL Games

Placing your first NHL bet is straightforward once you understand the process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to bet on hockey legally in the United States.

Step 1: Verify you are in a legal state

Sports betting is legal in over 30 US states plus Washington DC, but rules vary. You must be physically located in a legal state when placing a bet, and most states require you to be at least 21 years old. Always check your specific state requirements before attempting to place a wager.

Step 2: Choose a licensed sportsbook

Select a sportsbook licensed in your state. Major operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars operate in most legal markets. Stick to licensed operators to ensure your funds are protected and you can withdraw winnings without issues.

Step 3: Create an account and deposit

Sign up with your real information including name, address, and last four digits of your Social Security Number. Sportsbooks verify your identity to comply with regulations. Fund your account using a bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods.

Step 4: Find the NHL market

Navigate to the NHL section. You will see a list of upcoming games with available betting markets. Click on a game to see all options including puck lines, moneylines, totals, player props, and same game parlays.

Step 5: Add your selection to your bet slip

Click the odds for the bet you want to make. The selection appears in your bet slip, usually on the right side of the screen or at the bottom on mobile.

Step 6: Enter your stake and confirm

Type in how much you want to wager. The potential payout displays automatically. Review your bet, then confirm. Once confirmed, your bet is live.

Pre-bet checklist for NHL games:

• Starting goalie confirmation - This is critical in hockey. Always confirm which goalie is starting before betting. Goalie changes significantly affect lines.
• Injury reports - Check official injury reports and follow beat reporters for lineup hints.
• Schedule context - Is this a back-to-back game? Teams often struggle on the second night of back-to-backs.
• Travel situation - Cross-country travel affects performance, especially for afternoon games after overnight flights.
• Line movement - Has the line moved significantly? Sharp money or goalie news often causes movement.
• Your bankroll - Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Keep single bets to 1-5 percent of your total bankroll.

Understanding NHL Odds and Lines

NHL odds are displayed in American format, the standard at US sportsbooks. Understanding how these numbers work is foundational to making informed hockey bets.

American odds explained:

• Negative odds (-150) - Indicate the favorite. The number shows how much you must bet to win 100 dollars. At -150 odds, betting 150 dollars returns 250 dollars total (your 150 dollar stake plus 100 dollars profit).
• Positive odds (+130) - Indicate the underdog. The number shows how much you win on a 100 dollar bet. At +130 odds, betting 100 dollars returns 230 dollars total (your 100 dollar stake plus 130 dollars profit).

Converting odds to implied probability:

Every set of odds implies a probability. Understanding this helps you identify value.

For negative odds: Divide the odds by (odds plus 100), then multiply by 100. Example: -150 odds = 150 divided by 250 = 60 percent implied probability.

For positive odds: Divide 100 by (odds plus 100), then multiply by 100. Example: +130 odds = 100 divided by 230 = 43.5 percent implied probability.

Example NHL odds breakdown:

Rangers vs Bruins - Bruins are -140 favorites, Rangers are +120 underdogs.

If you bet 140 dollars on the Bruins and they win, you get back 240 dollars (140 stake plus 100 profit).

If you bet 100 dollars on the Rangers and they win, you get back 220 dollars (100 stake plus 120 profit).

Converting to implied probability: Bruins at -140 implies 58.3 percent. Rangers at +120 implies 45.5 percent. The combined 103.8 percent reflects the sportsbook margin (vig).

Regulation time vs full game:

Some NHL markets are priced for regulation time only (60 minutes), while others include overtime and shootouts. Always check which version you are betting:

• Full game (including OT/SO) - Most common for moneylines. There will be a winner.
• Regulation time only - Includes a three-way option with a tie/draw. If the game goes to overtime, the tie wins.

The three-way moneyline often offers value on underdogs because you only need them to avoid losing in regulation.

NHL Moneyline Betting

The moneyline is the most straightforward NHL bet. Pick the team that will win the game outright, regardless of the margin. For more on moneyline fundamentals across all sports, see our moneyline betting guide.

How NHL moneylines work:

Most NHL moneylines include overtime and shootouts if necessary. Your selected team just needs to win the game, whether in regulation, overtime, or a shootout.

Example:

Avalanche -135 vs Wild +115

• Bet 135 dollars on the Avalanche to win. If they win (in regulation, OT, or shootout), you get back 235 dollars.
• Bet 100 dollars on the Wild to win. If they win (any manner), you get back 215 dollars.

Three-way moneylines:

Some sportsbooks offer three-way moneylines for regulation time only. You can bet on either team to win in regulation or bet on a tie (game goes to overtime).

Example: Avalanche -110 / Tie +280 / Wild +150

If the game goes to overtime, only the tie bet wins. This market offers value on underdogs because they only need to survive regulation without losing.

When to use NHL moneylines:

• When you believe an underdog can win outright
• In playoff games where overtime is sudden death (no shootout)
• When you want simplicity and just need your team to win
• For parlays where you prefer outright winners to puck line variance

NHL moneyline considerations:

Hockey has more parity than most major sports. Underdogs win roughly 40-42 percent of NHL games, making plus-money moneylines attractive compared to other sports. The nature of hockey, where a hot goalie or lucky bounces can decide games, creates value on dogs.

Home ice advantage is modest in the NHL, typically worth around 2-3 percentage points in win probability. Do not overweight home teams just because they are playing at home.

Puck Line Betting Explained

The puck line is hockey's version of the point spread, but it works differently than spreads in football or basketball. For deeper spread betting concepts, see our puck line betting guide.

What is the puck line:

The standard puck line is set at 1.5 goals. The favorite must win by 2 or more goals to cover -1.5, while the underdog covers +1.5 if they lose by only 1 goal or win outright.

Example:

Lightning -1.5 (+160) vs Panthers +1.5 (-190)

• Tampa Bay at -1.5 (+160): The Lightning must win by 2 or more goals. If you bet 100 dollars and they win 4-2, you get back 260 dollars.
• Florida at +1.5 (-190): The Panthers can lose by 1 goal or win outright. If you bet 190 dollars and the final score is 3-2 Tampa Bay, you get back 290 dollars.

Why puck line odds vary widely:

Unlike football or basketball where spreads typically have -110 on both sides, NHL puck lines have lopsided odds. The -1.5 favorite usually has plus-money odds (like +150 to +200) because winning by 2 or more goals is challenging. The +1.5 underdog has heavy juice (like -180 to -220) because losing by just 1 goal is common.

Alternate puck lines:

Sportsbooks offer alternate puck lines beyond the standard 1.5:

• -2.5 puck line: Team must win by 3 or more (heavy plus-money odds like +300)
• +2.5 puck line: Team can lose by up to 2 goals (heavy minus-money like -400)
• -0.5 puck line: Essentially the moneyline (must win by 1 or more)

When to bet puck lines:

• Bet -1.5 favorites when you expect a blowout (usually at plus-money odds)
• Bet +1.5 underdogs when you think a team will keep it close but might not win
• Use alternate puck lines for parlay value or hedging strategies

Empty net goal impact:

Many NHL games see a late empty net goal when the trailing team pulls their goalie. This can turn 2-1 games into 3-1 finals. The empty net factor means -1.5 favorites have a slightly better chance than the odds might suggest, since losing teams often give up a final empty-netter.

NHL Totals Betting

Totals betting in hockey focuses on the combined goals scored by both teams. You bet whether the total will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook. For complete totals strategies, see our over/under betting guide.

How NHL totals work:

Most NHL games have totals set between 5.5 and 6.5 goals. The exact number depends on team tendencies, goaltender matchups, and pace expectations.

Example:

Maple Leafs vs Canadiens - Total 6.5 (Over -105 / Under -115)

• Bet the over if you think the combined score will be 7 goals or more
• Bet the under if you think the combined score will be 6 goals or fewer

Factors affecting NHL totals:

• Goaltender matchups - Elite goaltenders facing weak offenses push totals down. Backup goalies or struggling starters push totals up.
• Team pace and style - Some teams play run-and-gun hockey while others emphasize defense. High-event teams produce more scoring chances.
• Special teams - Strong power plays and weak penalty kills lead to more goals. Check power play and penalty kill percentages.
• Home ice - Home teams typically score slightly more due to last change and favorable matchups.
• Back-to-back games - Tired teams often play worse defensively, which can push totals higher.
• Divisional games - Teams that play each other frequently tend to have lower-scoring, tighter games due to familiarity.

NHL totals variance:

Hockey totals are volatile because scoring is relatively low. A single goal swings the outcome on a 5.5 total. Unlike basketball where a 220-point total has a wide margin for error, a 6-goal hockey total is binary: one goal makes the difference between over and under.

Regulation time totals:

Some books offer regulation-time totals that exclude overtime and shootout goals. These are typically set 0.5 goals lower than full-game totals and can offer value when you expect a close game likely to reach overtime.

Team totals:

You can also bet on individual team totals. For example, Maple Leafs team total over 3.5 goals. This isolates one offense without worrying about the opponent's scoring.

NHL Props and Player Betting

Player props let you bet on individual performances rather than game outcomes. NHL props focus on goals, assists, points, shots on goal, and saves.

Common NHL player prop markets:

• Goals - Will a player score a goal? Anytime goalscorer markets are popular.
• Assists - Will a player record an assist?
• Points - Goals plus assists combined
• Shots on goal - Total shots a player puts on net
• Saves - For goaltenders, how many saves they record

Anytime goalscorer:

This popular market asks whether a specific player will score at least one goal. Odds vary based on the player's scoring ability, line assignment, and matchup.

Example: Auston Matthews anytime goalscorer -105

You bet 105 dollars that Matthews scores at least one goal. If he scores (even if Toronto loses), you win 100 dollars.

First goalscorer:

Higher risk, higher reward. You bet on a specific player to score the game's first goal. These typically pay +500 to +2000 depending on the player.

Shots on goal props:

These can offer value because shot volume is more predictable than goals. A player who averages 4.5 shots per game will take shots regardless of whether they score. Look for players with high shot rates facing teams that allow many shots.

Goaltender props:

• Saves over/under - Based on expected shots faced and save percentage
• Shutout - Yes/no on whether the goalie records a shutout (high variance)

Prop betting tips:

• Check line combinations and power play units before betting player props
• High-usage scorers on first lines and top power play units get more opportunities
• Consider game script: blowouts reduce top player minutes
• Goalies facing high-volume offenses have higher save opportunities

NHL Betting Strategy Tips

These hockey-specific strategies help you make more informed NHL betting decisions.

Always confirm starting goalies:

This cannot be emphasized enough. Goaltending affects NHL games more than any single position in major sports. A team with their backup goalie is significantly weaker than with their starter. Lines move dramatically on goalie announcements, so confirm the starter before betting.

Starting goalies are typically announced the morning of game day. Follow beat reporters on social media or check official team announcements.

Understand back-to-back dynamics:

Teams on the second night of a back-to-back historically underperform, especially on the road. Key considerations:

• Backup goalies often start the second game
• Tired legs affect skating and puck pursuit
• Teams with short benches suffer more fatigue
• Back-to-back unders can have value as tired teams play sloppier

Look for schedule spots:

Long road trips wear teams down. A team playing its fifth consecutive road game is at a disadvantage. Conversely, teams returning home after long trips often get a boost from familiar surroundings.

Value divisional underdogs:

Divisional rivals play each other multiple times per season and know each other well. These games tend to be tighter regardless of regular season standings. Underdogs often have value in divisional matchups.

Track goaltender trends:

A goalie on a hot streak with a .940 save percentage over his last 10 starts is likely outperforming his true talent level. Regression is coming. Similarly, a quality goalie posting .880 numbers is due for positive regression.

Consider the playoff push:

Late-season games involving playoff contenders have different dynamics. Teams fighting for playoff spots play harder while eliminated teams rest players and experiment. This creates mismatches the market may not fully price.

Manage bankroll for hockey volatility:

NHL betting is high-variance due to low scoring. Single goals decide games, and puck luck is real. Keep bet sizes conservative and expect swings. Do not overreact to short-term results.

Key Factors to Research Before Betting

Before placing any NHL bet, research these factors to inform your decision.

Goaltender information:

• Who is starting in goal for each team?
• What is each goalie's recent form (last 5-10 starts)?
• How do they perform against this specific opponent?
• Is either goalie on a back-to-back?

Injury and lineup news:

• Are any top-six forwards or top-four defensemen injured?
• Have there been recent line combination changes?
• Who is on the power play and penalty kill units?

Schedule context:

• Is either team on a back-to-back?
• How many games has each team played in the last week?
• Has either team had significant travel?
• Is this a rivalry game or regular matchup?

Special teams:

• What are each team's power play and penalty kill percentages?
• How many penalties does each team take?
• Are key special teams players available?

Head-to-head history:

• How have these teams fared against each other this season?
• Are there any stylistic matchup advantages?

Motivation factors:

• Is one team fighting for playoff positioning while the other is eliminated?
• Is this a revenge game or notable matchup?

Common NHL Betting Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors that cost bettors money.

Betting before goalie confirmation:

This is the most common mistake in NHL betting. Never lock in a bet before knowing who is starting in goal. Lines can move significantly on goalie news, and betting blind on goaltenders gives up edge.

Ignoring back-to-back situations:

Teams on the second night of back-to-backs have a measurable disadvantage. Factor this into every bet involving a back-to-back team.

Overvaluing recent results:

A team on a 5-game winning streak or losing streak is not necessarily better or worse than their season average suggests. Look at underlying metrics like shot attempts and expected goals rather than just wins and losses.

Chasing puck line value:

The -1.5 puck line at plus-money looks attractive, but favorites only cover by 2 or more goals about 30-35 percent of the time. These bets lose more often than they win. Only bet -1.5 when you have a strong blowout thesis.

Overloading on favorites:

Hockey has significant parity. Underdogs win over 40 percent of games. Betting only favorites at -150 or worse requires a very high win rate just to break even.

Ignoring goaltender value:

The difference between an elite goalie and a backup can be worth 0.5-1.0 goals in expected performance. Always factor goaltender quality into your analysis.

Chasing losses with live bets:

Live betting in hockey is fast-paced and can lead to impulsive decisions. Do not chase pregame losses by frantically live betting games. Stick to your pregame analysis.

NHL Live Betting

Live betting allows you to place wagers while games are in progress. NHL live betting offers unique opportunities due to the sport's volatility.

How NHL live betting works:

Lines update continuously based on score, time remaining, and game flow. Moneylines, puck lines, totals, and period markets adjust after goals and during stoppages.

Live betting opportunities:

• Early goals - A team that scores first does not always win. If a good team falls behind early, live moneylines can offer value.
• Goaltender changes - If a starting goalie gets pulled, live lines adjust dramatically.
• Power plays - Lines pause during power plays. Look for value when the market overreacts to penalties.
• Period betting - Second and third period markets let you isolate portions of the game.

Live betting cautions:

• NHL games move fast, and lines change quickly
• Do not chase pregame losses with desperate live bets
• Be patient and wait for value rather than betting every stoppage
• Goalie changes mid-game can void certain bets depending on sportsbook rules

NHL Futures Betting

Futures bets cover outcomes determined over the course of a season.

NHL futures types:

• Stanley Cup winner - Which team wins the championship
• Conference winner - Eastern or Western Conference
• Division winner - Pacific, Central, Metropolitan, Atlantic
• Win totals - Over/under on regular season wins
• Award futures - Hart Trophy (MVP), Vezina (best goalie), Norris (best defenseman), Calder (rookie of year)

When to bet NHL futures:

Early season offers the best prices before consensus forms. The trade deadline in March is another key moment as contenders make moves. Playoff bracket clarity in April allows for final positioning.

Futures considerations:

Goaltending is extremely important for Stanley Cup futures. Teams with elite goaltending consistently outperform in the playoffs where goalies face higher shot volumes and more pressure. Value the crease position highly when evaluating championship futures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NHL betting profitable?

NHL betting can be profitable for a small percentage of bettors who identify value consistently, manage bankroll effectively, and maintain discipline. The vig means you need to win more than 52 percent of standard bets to break even. Most recreational bettors should treat NHL betting as entertainment with a cost rather than a reliable income source.

What is the puck line in hockey betting?

The puck line is hockey's version of the point spread, almost always set at 1.5 goals. The favorite must win by 2 or more goals to cover -1.5, while the underdog covers +1.5 by losing by just 1 goal or winning outright. Unlike spreads in other sports, puck line odds are lopsided: favorites have plus-money odds while underdogs have heavy juice.

How do overtime and shootouts affect bets?

Most NHL moneylines and totals include overtime and shootouts. Your bet is live until there is a winner. However, some markets specify regulation time only, meaning overtime and shootout results do not count. Puck lines typically apply to the final score including overtime and shootout goals. Always check the specific market rules before betting.

What is the best bet type for NHL?

There is no universally best bet type. Moneylines are straightforward and work well for underdogs. Puck lines offer value on favorites expected to dominate. Totals can be profitable when you have strong reads on goaltending matchups and pace. The best bet type depends on your analysis of the specific game.

How important is the starting goalie?

Extremely important. Goaltenders have more individual impact on NHL games than any position in major sports. The difference between a team's starter and backup can be worth 0.5-1.0 expected goals. Always confirm starting goalies before betting, as lines move significantly on goalie announcements.

Should I bet on NHL favorites or underdogs?

NHL underdogs win roughly 40-42 percent of games, making them more viable than in other sports. Blindly betting favorites at -150 or higher requires an unrealistic win rate. Look for value on both sides rather than defaulting to favorites. Many profitable NHL bettors focus on underdog moneylines.

What does regulation time mean in hockey betting?

Regulation time refers to the standard 60 minutes of play (three 20-minute periods) before overtime. Some betting markets only count regulation time, meaning overtime and shootout results do not affect the bet. If you bet a regulation-time market and the game goes to overtime, the tie wins regardless of who wins in OT.

How do NHL playoffs affect betting strategy?

NHL playoff games are typically lower-scoring and tighter than regular season games. Goaltending becomes even more important as starting goalies play every game instead of splitting time. There are no shootouts in the playoffs, so overtime periods continue until someone scores. Look for under value on totals and be cautious with -1.5 puck lines in playoff games.