How to Bet on the NHL – Hockey Betting Guide
The National Hockey League is a prominent fixture in the world of online sports betting, offering odds year-round. From Stanley Cup odds following the playoffs to throughout the season, there are four popular methods of NHL betting available on top-rated NHL betting sites.
What are NHL Moneylines?
When betting on the moneyline in NHL hockey, you simply choose the team you believe will win the game. The underdog and favorite can be identified by the sign before the odds. For example, if Pittsburgh is favored at -140 at home against Montreal, who are the underdogs at +120, you would bet $140 on Pittsburgh to win $100, and $100 on Montreal to win $120.
What are NHL Spreads?
In NHL betting, the equivalent of the spread bet is known as the puck line, which is similar to the run line in MLB wagering. The puck line adds excitement to the bet by incorporating a margin of victory, typically set at 1.5 goals. For instance, Pittsburgh may have a puck line of -1.5 (+170), while Montreal may be at +1.5 (-150). In this scenario, Pittsburgh is the underdog to win by more than one goal. If they win by two goals, a $100 bet would result in a $170 payout. On the other hand, Montreal is favored to lose by less than a goal or win outright. If Montreal wins or Pittsburgh wins by only one goal, a $100 bet would yield a $170 payout.
What are NHL Totals?
In hockey, you can choose to bet on the total number of goals scored in a game through Over Under betting. For example, if Pittsburgh and Montreal have a total set at 5.5 goals for their matchup, you would bet on whether the total will be over or under that amount. The starting goaltenders play a crucial role in this type of betting, similar to how starting pitchers are important in MLB betting. In the NHL, most games have a total range of 5 to 6.5 goals.
What are NHL Futures?
Futures betting is when you’re wagering on something that won’t happen for a while yet, such as the Stanley Cup. You can also bet on Conference and Division Winners, as well as player awards like the Hart Trophy for the Most Valuable Player. You will be able to get odds for the next Stanley Cup finals shortly after the season is over, so there is always NHL betting to be done. Get your research done early and you can find some good value picks before the season starts, or else the odds will get worse if they perform well.