A new season has begun, and all eyes are on the board for NHL odds. It’s time to check the betting sites for the latest and most exciting odds.
Do you want to know more about NHL odds and the types of bets you can make in NHL games?
This article will guide you to read standard NHL odds and the types of bets you can make in NHL games. It will also answer common questions from rookie bettors.
Reading and Understanding NHL Odds
In numerical form, NHL odds are always based on $100. They are displayed with either a (-) or (+) sign before the number.
The (-) signifies a favorite, while the (+) indicates an underdog. If you see something like -110 next to a team name, it means the team is a favorite, and you will be risking $110 to win $100.
When the betting odds are displayed as +110, that means you will risk only $100 for a $110 payout if the underdog team wins the matchup.
With fractional odds, the fraction displays the amount you can win over the amount you would have to risk.
For example, if team A is 10/1 to win the competition, it means you can win $100 for every $10 you stake. If team B is 15/2 in the contest, that is 7.5/1. So it means a $75 gain for every $10 stake.
Knowing the NHL Betting Types
Moneyline
Moneyline is a straightforward betting style where a bettor can pick a team they think will win. Popular sporting events include the Stanley Cup finals or playoffs. It’s the most common way of betting in the NHL and replaces a point spread since most NHL games are low-scoring.
In a moneyline, the favorite team is marked with a negative sign (-) and the underdog with a positive sign (+). For example, odds are displayed as -125 and +125. It means if the favored team wins the match, the bettor risked $100 but will get a $125 payout.
Sportsbooks or the oddsmakers set the betting lines or the point spread in the NHL based on the home-ice factor.
For example, if a high-ranking NHL team is playing on home ice against a lower-ranking team, you will see huge numbers for the favorites.
Puckline
In NHL betting, the puckline combines the moneyline and point spread. The sportsbook will identify the number of goals a team must score to determine the winner.
Like the MLB and NFL, NHL is low-scoring. For this reason, a puckline is set at 1.5 goals. The NHL odds will read as -1.5 and +1.5.
A favored NHL team must score 2 goals or more to win the matchup, while an underdog needs to win it outright or lose by 1 goal at most.
In NHL betting lines, a favorite on the moneyline can become the underdog in a puckline.
Totals or Over/Under
Like any other kind of sports betting, NHL betting also uses over/under types of bets.
It’s like wagering for the totals or over/under in the NBA. The sportsbook will set the number of goals expected to be scored in a matchup. The bettors will be betting on whether the final score will be over or under the set total.
Futures
NHL futures are a betting type where the bettors stake money on a team to win a game that will take place at a later time of the year. Money placed in a futures bet will lock in with the sportsbook. The bettors will receive fixed odds at the time of the bet.
Parlays
Parlays are another type of hockey betting. This type of betting involves multiple bets where payouts are calculated based on moneylines, pucklines, or point spreads. A series of individual bets constitutes the parlays. It is the most popular in peak NHL regular seasons. All teams have to win in the parlays for the bettor to be successful.
Prop Bets
Prop bets, known as proposition bets, are side bets that have nothing to do with the game’s final outcome. In this kind of betting, the bookmaker can create odds on any specific detail within the game.
These specific details will not have anything to do with the outcome of the game. A sample proposition would be, “How many goals can a team score in the first period?
Based on the proposition, a bookmaker can create odds such as:
- No goal scored in the first period +200
- 1 goal scored in the first period +250
- 2 goals scored in the first period +300
The NHL Teams
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- New Jersey Devils
- New York Islanders
- New York Rangers
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Washington Capitals
Atlantic Division
- Boston Bruins
- Buffalo Sabres
- Detroit Red Wings
- Florida Panthers
- Montreal Canadiens
- Ottawa Senators
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Toronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference
Central Division
- Arizona Coyotes
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Colorado Avalanche
- Dallas Stars
- Minnesota Wild
- Nashville Predators
- St. Louis Blues
- Winnipeg Jets
Pacific Division
- Anaheim Ducks
- Calgary Flames
- Edmonton Oilers
- Los Angeles Kings
- San Jose Sharks
- Seattle Kraken
- Vancouver Canucks
- Vegas Golden Knights
NHL Odds FAQ
1. How many lines does a hockey team have?
Every hockey team has four lines forward, with three players in each line: right-wing, center, and left-wing. A team also has three defensive lines with two players each - the right and left defensemen.
2. What’s the best line in the NHL now?
You can check our NHL odds page to find the most attractive line and make sure you are choosing from the most updated listings.
3. Where can I bet on hockey?
For more hockey and NHL information, always go with legitimate online sportsbooks, like MaximBet.com, FanDuel, and DraftKings. Make sure to review statistics for futures odds. Check podcasts for more tips and insights.
With MaximBet.com, you can have a most enjoyable NHL hockey live betting experience.
We also promote responsible gambling and help you set up your bet limits. Call 1-800-GAMBLER for gambling problems or contact us for more information.
You may also visit www.nhl.com for the latest NHL news and updates.
