NHL Betting Guide: Understand All Bet Types

NHL Betting Guide: Understanding All Bet Types

Welcome to the ultimate guide for understanding NHL (National Hockey League) betting! Whether you're a seasoned hockey fan new to betting or looking to refine your approach, this guide covers the most common NHL bet types, how odds work, and key considerations for wagering on the fastest game on ice.

NHL betting offers exciting opportunities, from picking winners to predicting goal totals and player performances. Knowing the nuances of each bet type is essential for navigating the fast-paced action of the hockey season.

Understanding NHL Odds

NHL odds indicate the probability of an outcome and how much you can win. They are typically shown in American odds format (+/-).

Negative Odds (-): Show the favorite. The number is how much you must bet to win $100 profit (e.g., -150 means bet $150 to win $100).
Positive Odds (+): Show the underdog. The number is how much profit you win on a $100 bet (e.g., +130 means bet $100 to win $130 profit).

Odds on Puck Lines and Totals can vary more than standard -110, reflecting the goal-scoring nature of hockey. Understanding odds helps identify value based on matchups, goalie form, and team trends.

Common NHL Bet Types

Moneyline

The simplest NHL bet: pick the team you think will win the game. Unless specified as "60 Minute" or "Regulation Time", Moneyline bets typically include overtime and shootouts.

Example:
Toronto Maple Leafs -140
Montreal Canadiens +120
Bet $140 on the Leafs to win $100 profit if they win. Bet $100 on the Canadiens to win $120 profit if they win.

Puck Line

This is the NHL's version of the point spread, almost always set at +/- 1.5 goals. The favorite (-1.5) must win the game by 2 or more goals. The underdog (+1.5) covers if they win the game outright OR lose by exactly 1 goal. Because covering -1.5 is harder, favorites on the Puck Line often have plus (+) money odds.

Example:
Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+150)
Edmonton Oilers +1.5 (-180)
A bet on Avalanche -1.5 wins if they win by 2+ goals (e.g., 4-2). A bet on Oilers +1.5 wins if they win OR lose by 1 (e.g., 2-3).

Total Goals (Over/Under)

Bet on the total combined number of goals scored by both teams. The sportsbook sets a line (e.g., O/U 6.5 goals). You bet if the final total will be Over or Under that number. **Crucially, always check the sportsbook's rules: Totals often include overtime/shootouts, but sometimes are for "Regulation Time (60 minutes)" only.**

Example (Including OT/SO):
Total Goals: O/U 6.5 (-110)
If the final score is 4-3 (total 7 goals), the Over wins. If the final score is 3-2 (total 5 goals), the Under wins.

Player Props

Player Proposition Bets (Props) involve wagering on specific player statistics. These are popular in NHL betting and often independent of the final score. Common props include:

Player to Score a Goal (Anytime, First, Last)
Player to Record an Assist
Player to Record a Point (Goal or Assist)
Player Shots on Goal (SOG) Over/Under (e.g., Connor McDavid Over/Under 3.5 SOG)
Goalie Saves Over/Under (e.g., Igor Shesterkin Over/Under 28.5 Saves)
Power Play Points Over/Under

Example:
Auston Matthews Over 0.5 Goals (-120)
Nathan MacKinnon Over 1.5 Points (+110)
Andrei Vasilevskiy Under 30.5 Saves (-115)

Explore detailed player markets on our NHL Player Props page.

Period Bets / Regulation Time Bets

Focus your bets on specific segments of the game. Common options include:

First Period (P1) Bets: Moneyline, Puck Line (+/- 0.5 goals usually), or Total Goals for just the first 20 minutes.
Regulation Time (60 Min) Bets: Betting on the result after 3 periods, excluding OT/shootouts. Options include Moneyline (3-way: Team A Win / Team B Win / Draw) or Puck Line/Totals for regulation only.

Example:
Boston Bruins P1 Moneyline (-110)
New York Rangers 60 Min Moneyline (+130) (Wins only if Rangers lead after 3 periods)
Vegas Golden Knights P1 Total Over 1.5 Goals (-125)

Futures

NHL Futures are long-term wagers on outcomes decided later in the season or playoffs. Popular futures include:

Stanley Cup Champion
Eastern / Western Conference Winner
Division Winners
Hart Trophy (MVP) Winner
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie) Winner
Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman) Winner
Team Regular Season Point Totals (Over/Under)

Example:
Carolina Hurricanes to Win Stanley Cup
Connor Bedard to Win Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
Team X Over 95.5 Regular Season Points

Live Betting (In-Play)

Live betting allows wagering on NHL games as they happen. Odds and markets (like next goal scorer, updated Puck Lines/Totals, period winners) shift constantly based on the score, penalties, time remaining, and momentum swings.

NHL Betting Guide FAQs

What is Moneyline betting in NHL?

Moneyline betting in the NHL is choosing which team will win the game outright. These bets typically include overtime and shootouts unless otherwise specified (e.g., '60 Minute Moneyline').

How does Puck Line betting work in NHL?

The Puck Line is NHL's version of a point spread, almost always set at -1.5 goals for the favorite and +1.5 goals for the underdog. The favorite must win by 2 or more goals to cover, while the underdog covers if they win outright or lose by exactly 1 goal.

What are NHL Total Goals (Over/Under) bets?

NHL Total Goals bets involve wagering on the combined number of goals scored by both teams. The sportsbook sets a total (e.g., 6.5 goals), and you bet Over or Under. Crucially, check if the bet includes overtime/shootouts or is for regulation time (60 minutes) only.

What are NHL Player Prop Bets?

NHL Player Proposition Bets (Props) focus on individual player performances. Common examples include betting on a player to score a goal, record an assist, get a point, exceed a certain number of shots on goal (SOG), or for a goalie to make over/under a specific number of saves.

What are NHL Futures bets?

NHL Futures bets are wagers on long-term outcomes decided later in the season or playoffs. Examples include betting on the Stanley Cup winner, Eastern/Western Conference winners, division winners, or individual awards like the Hart Trophy (MVP) or Vezina Trophy (best goalie).