Essential Bet Types for Online Hockey Betting

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Hockey Betting

Betting on the NHL involves a wide range of sports betting options throughout the season. This spans from regular season excitement all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, with many opportunities for profit. With online sportsbooks offering so many kinds of NHL hockey betting lines, it can be a bit overwhelming for new bettors to figure out which type is the most suitable for them. However, understanding them is necessary to optimise your wins. We have decided to give our readers a clear overview of the most effective NHL hockey betting strategies, by breaking down each option's basics to help bettors make informed decisions

Hockey Bet Options for Beginners

There is a range of NHL hockey betting options that cater to both new and seasoned bettors. Each type presents its own set of strategies to maximise success.

Moneyline Betting in Hockey

NHL moneyline betting is the simplest type of hockey bet, which makes it an excellent choice for new bettors. For this type of bet, you only need to pick which NHL team will win the game. The NHL betting odds for each team to win are shown with plus and minus signs, and this identifies the favourite and the underdog.

Because of hockey's unpredictable nature, where even the leading teams can lose unexpectedly, bettors need to keep up-to-date with the latest information on player performances, injuries, and how teams have been performing recently throughout the season's 82 games. This knowledge is key when placing Hockey moneyline bets.

In a moneyline bet the odds reflect the anticipated competitiveness of the NHL Game.

An example of a moneyline market in hockey could look like this:

NHL Team - Odds
New York Rangers - -160
Carolina Hurricanes - +140

These NHL odds reflect each team's implied probability of winning. For instance, if the New York Rangers are listed at -160 against the Carolina Hurricanes, who are at +140, this indicates the Rangers as favourites. Wagering on the Rangers means you would need to wager $160 to win $100. Conversely, the Hurricanes are the underdogs, a $100 bet could win you $140 if the Hurricanes won. This accurately reflects the fact that in moneyline betting, higher rewards are tied to wagering on the underdog due to the perceived higher risk of such wagers.

NHL Puck Line Betting

The puck line in hockey is similar to point spread betting found in other sports. Bettors have to predict if the favourite team will secure a victory by a margin exceeding two goals (-1.5) or if the underdog team will either win outright or keep the hockey match within a single goal (+1.5). This kind of wager balances the odds, and takes into consideration the NHL's characteristic of close contests and low-scoring games.

The common spread in NHL sports betting is 1.5 goals due to the typically low scoring nature of the matches. However, games expected to be less competitive may see larger spreads.

NHL Spread betting involves an extra layer of strategy, especially since it is common practice to remove goalies for an extra skater in the closing moments of a game. This is a tactic often employed by trailing teams. This can make it more difficult to wager on the underdog at +1.5. However, correctly guessing that the favourite team will win by more than two goals can lead to significant rewards.

For instance, NHL Puck line betting odds might look like this:

New York Rangers -1.5 (-115)
Montreal Canadiens +1.5 (-105)

Researching an NHL team's performance against the spread (ATS) can provide valuable insights into their likelihood of covering the spread. Winning teams do not automatically perform well in ATS, and this is why it is important to conduct thorough research.

NHL Total Points Betting: Over/Unders Markets

Over/under betting, also known as totals betting, is a popular form of wagering in the NHL. It involves wagering on whether the total number of goals scored in a game will be over or under a specific number set by an online sportsbook.

Previously, totals for hockey games were commonly set at 5.5 goals. However, due to increased scoring across the league in recent times, it's now more usual to see totals at 6 or even 6.5 goals.

Example of NHL Total Points Betting

Total Points: 5.5
Over 5.5: -110
Under 5.5: -110

In this type of wager, the focus is on predicting if the combined score of both teams will be higher or lower than the set total. For example, a game with a final score of 4-3 would mean an 'over' win for bets at 6.5, while a score of 4-2 would be a win for 'under' bets.

It is important to understand each NHL team's offensive and defensive strengths as well as their goaltending. For instance, matches between teams with strong defences or goaltending tend to have fewer goals, whereas games involving high-scoring teams are likely to have higher total scores.

The NHL Grand Salami

The NHL Grand Salami was originally used in Baseball betting and has now become popular in hockey as well. It offers an interesting way to bet on the total goals scored in all Hockey matches on a specific day and combines the over/under totals for all NHL games into a single number.

For example, if there are six NHL games in one evening, and each has an over/under total of 6.5 goals, the Grand Salami total might be set at around 40 goals. This figure is determined by multiplying the average total (6.5) by the number of games (6), resulting in a sum of 39.

If 10 games are scheduled and the Grand Salami total is set at 50 goals, bettors choose whether they believe the actual total goals scored will be above or below this number. If the day concludes with 48 goals, those who bet under win; to win an over bet, more than 50 goals would need to be scored.

This option is appealing because choosing to bet on over or under in individual games can be a complex decision. The Grand Salami simplifies this by consolidating all games into one total bet, meaning that every goal scored that day across the league impacts the result of the bet.

Hockey Prop Bets

NHL prop bets or proposition bets allow bettors to wager on various aspects of the game that aren't directly tied to the final outcome. These can range from team achievements in a season or particular game to individual player performances in specific statistical categories.

Hockey Player Props

NHL Player prop bets focus on individual player achievements, such as the number of goals, assists, and total points. Bettors can also bet on more detailed stats like shots on goal, blocked shots, and hits.

There are specific markets for predicting if a player will score at any time during the game, known as "anytime goalscorer" bets. Another option is the "first goalscorer" market, where bettors pick who they believe will score the game's first goal.

Goalie Props

Goalie prop bets are also available, and these focus on statistics like the total number of saves a goaltender will make in a game.

NHL Game Props

Game prop wagers focus on various aspects of the game itself rather than how individual players perform. They offer a broad spectrum of betting options, such as predicting if a hockey game will extend into overtime, which team will score first, or whether the final score will be an odd or even number.

Bettors can also place wagers on the total goals scored by a single team, the exact final score, which team scores first or last, and who reaches a specific goal tally first. Other options include wagering on a team to win by a specific number of goals or to achieve a shutout victory.

Hockey Parlay Betting

NHL parlay betting involves combining multiple hockey bets like money line, total, puck line, or other bet types into a singular wager, in order to achieve higher payouts. However, for a parlay to be successful and payout, all chosen outcomes within it must win. If any part of the parlay loses, the whole bet is lost. If there's a tie in one of the selections, it's taken out of the parlay, and the odds are adjusted accordingly.

Parlays are particularly appealing to casual bettors due to the prospect of substantial payouts from relatively small wagers, even though these wagers come at a higher risk. For instance, if you bet on a parlay with three underdogs each at +150, you could win 3.375 times your bet, meaning that parlays can be extremely profitable when they're put together smartly.

Example of a Parlay and Combined Odds Hockey Bet

Parlay Selection: Flames, Rangers, Islanders, and Avalanche all to win.
Combined NHL Odds: +850

In this example the bet is on the Flames, Rangers, Islanders, and Avalanche all to win their respective games, with combined odds at +850. The nature of parlays means that the entire bet depends on each team winning; one failure results in a lost parlay.

Types of Parlay Betting

Same-Game Hockey Parlays: Some online sportsbooks make parlays more exciting by offering tools like bet builders or same-game parlays. These features let you combine different wagers from one game into a single big bet, making it easier to plan your strategy and aim for bigger wins by mixing several safer bets.
Multi-Game Hockey Parlays: In contrast to same-game parlays, multi-game options allow sports bettors to bet across several NHL games within one parlay.

Live/In-play Hockey Betting

In-game wagering, also known as live betting, has become increasingly popular in hockey and it offers fans an engaging way to interact with an unfolding hockey match in real time.

Also referred to as microbetting, live hockey betting provides opportunities to bet after the game has begun and allows bettors to take advantage of changing game circumstances, such as momentum shifts, player performance alterations, and significant in-game events like penalties or goalie changes to help make their decisions.

Live NHL betting is available right from the season’s start, through the playoffs, and up to the Stanley Cup FinalsIt spans the entire hockey season, covering all key moments, including prime-time games and special events like the Winter Classic or Stadium Series.

Flexibility of Live Betting: Live hockey betting is particularly useful for those who might have missed the opportunity to place bets before the game started or prefer to gauge the game's direction before making a wager. The odds for live betting change in reaction to events occurring during the game.

Adaptive Odds: One of the key distinctions of live NHL betting lies in its ability to adapt to the game's early events. For example, if a team encounters an early challenge, the odds may become more favourable for those who believe in the team's ability to recover.

Strategic Timing: To maximise the chances of getting stable odds, it's recommended to place live wagers during game breaks. This strategy helps bettors avoid sudden line movements that could affect the value of their bet.

Hockey Futures Bets

Futures bets in NHL betting allow wagers on outcomes such as championship winners, division/conference victors, and season point totals. Unlike win totals in other sports, hockey utilises a point-based system for standings, making point totals a relevant futures bet.

Stanley Cup Futures: Odds for the Stanley Cup are set before the NHL season starts and adjusted over its course based on team performance and other factors.

Understanding NHL Futures Betting

NHL Futures betting involves wagering on outcomes or events that will happen in the future. Besides game-specific bets like money lines and spreads, NHL futures provide a chance to bet on long-term outcomes, often offering larger payouts. These can include anything from which team will win the Hockey league championship, to seasonal records or points, and even individual player performances.

Factors Influencing NHL Betting Futures:

Free-agent signings.
Trade deadline deals.
NHL Player injuries.

Examples of Team Futures Bets:

Betting on a team to win the Stanley Cup.
Wagering on a team to finish with the worst regular season record.
Predicting a team to achieve over 90 regular season points.

Popular NHL Team Futures Markets:

President’s Trophy Winner: Wagering on the team to finish the regular season with the highest point total.
Worst Regular Season Record: Predicting which team will have the lowest points at the season's end.
Conference/Division Winners: Wagering on who will win a specific division or conference.
To Make/Miss Playoffs: Betting on whether a team will make it to the playoffs.
Regular Season Points: Wagering on a team to exceed or fall short of a predetermined points total.

Player Awards in Futures Betting
Futures bets are available for various player awards, highlighting exceptional performances throughout the season. However, betting on individual player awards is challenging due to the large number of players across teams.

NHL Player Awards Futures Betting:

Hart Memorial Trophy: For the Most Valuable Player (MVP), focusing on their importance to their team's success.
Vezina Trophy: Goes to the top goaltender, emphasising their role in the team's achievements beyond just stats.
Rocket Richard Trophy: For the player expected to lead the league in regular season goals.
Conn Smythe Trophy: Open for betting with the start of the playoffs, awarded to the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

60-Minute Bets in Hockey

A 60-minute moneyline bet is tailored for hockey, and focuses on the game outcome within the regulation time of 60 minutes. It excludes any overtime play. This bet type presents bettors with three potential outcomes:

Home team victory
Away team victory
Match ending in a tie

The Appeal of 60-Minute NHL Betting Lines: This format is especially attractive for those looking to predict ties, offering the chance to bet on specific outcomes like a win by the Chicago Blackhawks, a tie, or a victory for the Pittsburgh Penguins, often at more favourable odds than standard NHL moneyline bets. The primary consideration is that extending the Hockey game into overtime invalidates bets placed on these three-way options.

Getting Started with Hockey Betting

If you’re a new bettor looking to bet on hockey we’ve created a detailed guide on how to place a bet on hockey.

Selecting a Sportsbook

The first step in hockey betting is choosing where to place your bets.Here’s what to look out for when choosing a sportsbook:

Reputation: Look for well-established sportsbooks known for their reliability and fair practices.
Hockey Betting Markets: Ensure the sportsbook offers a wide range of hockey betting options that cater to your interests, from NHL games to international championships.
User Experience: The platform should be user-friendly with easy navigation.

Registration and Welcome Bonuses

Once you've selected a sportsbook, the next steps are:

Account Registration: Create an account by providing necessary information such as your name, address, and email. This process is usually straightforward and quick.
Welcome Bonuses: Many sportsbooks offer NHL bonuses to new users. These can include:

Deposit bonuses, where your initial deposit is matched to a certain percentage.
Risk-free bets, offering a refund on your first bet if it loses.

Take advantage of these bonuses, but be sure to read the terms and conditions.

Explore the NHL Betting Markets

After setting up your account and securing any bonuses, it's time to explore the available betting markets.

NHL Betting Tips for Hockey Beginners

Start Small: Begin with smaller wagers to get a feel for the process without significant risk.
Research: Understanding team performance, player injuries, and other factors can inform better decisions.
Bet Responsibly: Set limits for yourself to ensure betting remains a fun and sustainable activity.

By following these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to enjoying and potentially winning big from hockey betting. Remember, the key is to have fun and bet wisely.

Paul Richard - Author Visit my profile page Find me on LinkedIn

Paul Richard is a professional sports betting and casino content writer with over three years of experience. He provides expert tips, strategies, and betting advice to help bettors succeed.