How to Bet on NHL – An Easy Guide to Betting Hockey

Learn how to bet NHL with this easy guide to betting hockey. Find tips about the types of bets and where you can wager.

Betting on the NHL can be a great way to be involved in the game. As a fan, this could be another way to get more out of the hockey season. Wagers include straightforward bets such as the NHL moneyline and puck line. Other bets include a complex world of parlays and even some other popular bets along the way. The beautiful thing about NHL betting is that there is something for every type of bettor out there.

Whatever your betting needs are, you can follow along with this guide to get an idea of what you would like to accomplish. From novice to the experienced bettor, below, you will see how to apply this in practice.

Where to Bet on the NHL

Trying to find a great NHL betting site does not have to be difficult. With the right information, you can quickly pick and choose a reliable and high-quality NHL betting site that has competitive odds and payouts. There are no secret tricks or gimmicks; you just need to know what to look for.

The quickest thing to take note of a sportsbook is by checking a handful of criteria before diving into it deeper. This means they are licensed and legal, various payment methods, good odds and features, and any bonuses or offers upon signing up.

If you can afford to meet the terms and conditions, welcome bonuses add value to your initial deposit or wager. However, you need to read the fine print when comparing available bonuses. Looking over these terms and conditions will give you details as to how much money you should plan to deposit and what you will get in return.

Some sportsbooks include in-depth features or how-to guides with their platform. Overall, your location and research are going to play a big role in figuring out where to bet online.

Different Types of NHL Bets

Before diving into your NHL bets, let us take a look at an example of how to read the odds. Below you will see a variety of bets to make for two teams going head to head.

Boston Bruins Puck Line -1.5 (-110); Moneyline -180; Total 5.5 (-105) over
Detroit Red Wings
Puck Line +1.5 (-110); Moneyline +160; Total 5.5 (-105) under

Betting on the puck line is very similar in nature to betting on the run line in baseball or even betting against the spread in football. You might even hear the puck line be referred to as the NHL spread or hockey point spread. The puck line is an interesting bet because you are not choosing an outright winner. To keep this simple, if you pick the favorite, then this means that they must win by at least two goals. If you choose the underdog, then this means they cannot lose by more than one goal.

In the example above, the Bruins must win by at least two goals to cover the puck line. On the other side, the Red Wings must come within one goal or win the outright. A wager of $110 wins $100 for both bets.

Betting $100 would return you $160 for the Red Wings on the moneyline bet. You would have to bet $180 to get a $100 return on the Bruins if they win. Below you will see how those are applied to other bets. A moneyline wager is who you think will win the game straight up.

When betting totals, often referred to as an over/under, you are simply taking a wager on whether the total score of the game for both teams combined will be enough to be over or not enough for under a certain number.

Other Wagers

Looking at futures betting, the NHL playoffs are a popular bet. Many sportsbooks will offer other various future bets like the winner of individual series, respective conferences, and so on. In addition, bets for the Stanley Cup are adjusted throughout the season.

The Grand Salami is another term you might come across. This hockey bet is simple and fun to watch play out. This bet is an over-under number that is posted on the total goals that will be scored in all the games for a particular day. For example, say you have five NHL games, all with individual totals of 5.5. The Grand Salami number would be something like 28 for the total goals (5.5 x 5 is 27.5).

Parlays are as volatile and interesting as any of the bets mentioned. They are a combination of any bet you want to place a bet on all in one ticket for a higher payout. However, losing just one of your bets causes you to lose the entire parlay.

How to Live Bet on the NHL

From the first game of the season, all the way to the NHL playoffs leading up to the Stanley Cup Finals, live betting can be an important tool for a hockey bettor. Compared to the traditional wagers, you are given the same options of betting on the moneyline, puck line, and totals. However, these lines adjust throughout the game.

Live betting in real-time is useful for someone who wants to be engaged in NHL betting throughout the entirety of the game. Breaking down each period of the game arguably takes a lot more work but could prove to be beneficial.

Tips for Betting the NHL

There are a few big takeaways from learning this information. The key here is that you keep a level head, do your research, and watch your bankroll. Do not bet when you are in a bad mood or not in a good mental space to make judgments on betting.

Doing your research is absolutely crucial for any success when it comes to betting. You will need to research both teams at play, such as scoring, their defense, injuries, or anything that could affect the game.

Keeping a budget and knowing how much to spend is another step in NHL betting. You do not want to spend all of your money or continue to play when you are in the hole. Remember, there is no foolproof method on how to bet.

National Hockey League Betting FAQs

How do I practice my NHL bets?

If you would like to practice your NHL bets, you can simply write down your predictions. Then you can compare the games to your predictions. Also, try watching the game in real-time and making predictions too.

What is a good bankroll amount?

This number is really up to you. By creating a budget, you will know exactly how much money to spend each time you place a bet. It’s important to wager within your means.

Is one bet the best bet?

If moneyline bets click with you, then, by all means, stick to the moneyline bet. You do not have to choose all of them or the most popular option. This is your money, so put it where you earn on the best option.

What is the best place to research teams?

You can try to stay up to date with the NHL website or sites like ESPN. There are a handful of other betting sites that will follow a team or league closely, so it is valuable to check these out too.