How to Bet Hockey

This post offers a high-level overview of how to bet hockey.

Understanding the fundamentals is critical when placing wagers on the NHL.

Read: How to Use Flat Betting For Wagering Success

Related: How to Use Parlay Cards at the Sportsbook

Here is an example of a hockey wager, let’s break it down.

General Overview and Tips

• Away team is always listed on top. In this example, Chicago is the road team.

• Minus (-) next to the number in the money line indicates the favorite; the plus (+) indicates the underdog.

• Bet # is most commonly referred to when verbally placing your wager at the sportsbook.

Wager Types

• Spread – When betting the point spread (aka line), the favorite must win by a stipulated number of goals. This means either laying 1.5 goals on the favorite or getting 1.5 goals on the underdog. In this example, Vegas (-1.5 +175) is the favorite and must win the game by 2 goals (or more) to cover the spread

• Total – This refers to the total number of combined goals scored (i.e. over/under). If the game lands exactly on the set number, the wager is considered a push and those bets are refunded.

• Money Line – This is a bet on which team will win a game (regardless of score). Chicago is a +140 money line underdog. This means a $100 wager on Chicago money line wins $140 (collect $240 total). Conversely, a $160 wager on Vegas money line wins $100 (collect $260 total).

Additional Hockey Wagers

Screenshot: Hockey Wager Options on a Mobile App

• Period Spread – A period spread allows for wagers on the outcome of a specific period (rather than the entire game). Many sportsbooks offer a 1st period line, which refers to the outcome of only the first period. Likewise, in-game period spreads are set for the 2nd and 3rd period of the game.

• Futures – Futures in hockey are for predicting division winners, conference winners, and Stanley Cup champs. Total games won (O/U wins) is another popular futures wager offered at the beginning of the season.

• Live – Live wagering is a popular option for making in-game bets using your sportsbook’s mobile application (check availability). Live wagers offer adjusted goal spreads, over/under, and more based on the live score.

• Parlay – A parlay combines several teams into one bet. In a parlay, all wagers must win, or else the bet is a loser. As many as 10 teams (or more) may be used in a parlay. Totals (O/U goals) may be included in parlays.

• Props – A “proposition bet” is like a side-bet. Common prop bets in hockey include goals scored, assists, saves, and more. Prop bets offered vary greatly from sportsbook to sportsbook.