NHL Betting Guide: How to Bet on Hockey
Types of NHL Bets Available Online
There are many types of NHL sports betting options available, from simply wagering on which team will win to more complex betting on in-game events. This section explains how to bet on hockey lines for each type of bet.
NHL Moneyline Bets
A moneyline bet is one of the most common types of NHL sports betting wagers. It’s a simple bet on which team will win the game outright, with betting odds based on each team’s expected chances to win.
Example: Say the Boston Bruins are at home against the Philadelphia Flyers, who they will likely beat. The moneyline odds on this game might show as Philadelphia +180 vs Boston -220.
Odds on the favorite with a “-” indicate how much you would need to bet to win $100, in this case $220 to win $100. Underdog odds with a “+” show how much you would win on a $100 bet, in this case $100 to earn a $180 profit if the Flyers win.
NHL Puck Line Betting
The puck line is hockey’s version of a point spread, where the favorite is typically given a -1.5 handicap, and the underdog receives a +1.5 line. This means that the favorite must win by 2 or more goals for the puck line bet to succeed.
Likewise, the underdog has to keep the contest close and must either win outright or lose by just one goal for your bet to pay out.
Example: Using the same game from the moneyline example, the puck line might show as Philadelphia +1.5 (-145) vs Boston -1.5 (+120). A puck line bet on the Flyers wins if Philadelphia wins outright or loses by one, and a puck line bet on Boston only wins if the Bruins win by two goals or more.
The Bruins were a big favorite at -220 on the moneyline but are a small underdog at +120 on the puck line, giving bettors two distinct NHL bets to choose from.
NHL Over/Under (Totals) Bets
A wager on a hockey total is a bet on whether the combined score between the two teams in a game will go over or under a posted total. Typically, a common hockey total line is set at 6.5 – if you choose under 6.5, you’ll be hoping for six or less total goals, versus the over who predicts seven or more.
Example: In a hypothetical matchup between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, the total could be set at Over 6.5 goals (-110) vs Under 6.5 goals (-110). If the Oilers defeat the Kings 4-2, that adds up to a total of six goals, which would result in the Under 6.5 graded as a winner.
NHL Parlays
A parlay combines multiple bets into one, with the stipulation that every bet added must win for the parlay to be successful. This high-risk, high-reward NHL sports betting wager comes with far greater potential payouts than individual bets.
Example: Let’s imagine you want to parlay the Montreal Canadiens (+120), Winnipeg Jets (-180), and the San Jose Sharks vs Anaheim Ducks Over 6 goals (+100) together. This hypothetical parlay would pay out at +584 odds if it won, but if any of the three bets lose, the entire parlay is a loser.
NHL Futures Bets
An NHL future bet is a wager on a future event, such as the winner of the Stanley Cup or Pacific Division. There are a number of NHL futures betting markets to keep bettors engaged all season long, including the NHL’s player awards at the end of the season.
Example: A future bet on a Stanley Cup favorite like the Carolina Hurricanes might show at +650, compared to longer odds of +3,000 on a team less likely to win the championship like the Nashville Predators.
NHL Prop Bets
Another way to bet on NHL games is through proposition bets that take place on specific events within a game and are not necessarily tied to the outcome of the game. Props can either be focused on a team or a specific player – examples include the amount of shots taken by a player, the total # of goals by a team, or choosing a specific player to get an assist or goal sometime in the match.
Example: There are many different types of props to choose from such as team props (like Dallas to score over or under 3.5 goals), player props (like will Connor McDavid record over or under 1.5 points) and game props (like which team will score first).
NHL Live Betting
When you’re learning how to bet on hockey we recommend betting on live games. Live NHL sports betting allows fans to bet in real-time, with the odds constantly updating based on what’s happening in the game.
The most common live NHL bets are over/unders (for the game or in a period), moneyline bets, and player props (next goalscorer, anytime goalscorer, etc.).
Example: At the beginning of a game between the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, the Avalanche might list as 1.5-goal favorite on the puck line. But in a game where they already lead 3-0 in the second period, a new alternate puck line of Colorado -3.5 could be available.
NHL Correct Score Bets
Correct score bets are a type of prop bet in which you can bet on score-related outcomes, such as correctly predicting exact scores like 2-2, 3-2, 4-2, etc.
Example: Different types of correct score bets include betting on the exact score of the game or the correct margin of victory. For instance, you could bet that the New York Rangers will defeat the Washington Capitals by exactly three goals and would win only with that outcome.
Period Bets
Period bets work the same way as moneylines, puck lines, and totals when it comes to how to bet on on NHL games, but only for a single period rather than the whole game. First period bets are available before the game, while you can make second and third period bets during intermissions.
Example: Let’s say you bet on the Chicago Blackhawks on the moneyline at +150 in the first period against the Calgary Flames. Your bet would grade as a winner if the Blackhawks are winning at the end of the first period, regardless of how the rest of the game goes.
Grand Salami Bets
When you’re betting on NHL games, a unique option is the grand salami bet, a prop bet that combines all the day’s action into one event, separated by home teams and road teams.
Example: Let’s say you bet on the Over 49.5 goals for today’s eight-game card. The home teams outscore the road teams 28–19, keeping the grand salami of games under your 49.5-goal total with 47 goals. A grand salami moneyline bet on the home team would grade as a winner in this scenario.
Expert Tip:
If you’re looking for the best NHL odds, we recommend you sign up at more than one sportsbook offering hockey odds. This allows you to “line shop”, giving you a wider range of bets and odds with greater chances of making a profit.
You can also take advantage of the different welcome bonuses to prop up your bankroll. This can help you stretch your budget when placing multiple NHL bets.
Best NHL Betting Site for Beginners
BetUS is our top choice for players who are new to hockey betting. You can find NHL betting lines for all the games, including competitive futures like the Stanley Cup Final and tons of prop options. The BetUS TV and Locker Room sections provide free NHL picks and analysis, which is perfect when learning how bet on hockey. With a generous welcome bonus, BetUS is an easy selection for any bettor that wants to get their hands on up-to-date NHL odds and bets.
Steps for Signing Up and Betting on the NHL
When you are ready to place bets on hockey, follow the easy step-by-step NHL betting guide below to get started.
Consider our list of recommended NHL sportsbooks while making sure they fit your personal preferences. All of these sportsbooks are free to sign up for — there is no risk in creating an account. Pick a safe and reliable operator and move on to the next step.
When you’ve made your choice, open that page and click or tap on the “Join” button, which is usually located in the top right corner. You will likely need to fill out a form with your personal information, including your name, email address and date of birth.
After completing your registration, you will likely be prompted to make a deposit. Remember to select or opt in to your welcome bonus before completing your first deposit to ensure that it will be active. Complete the deposit form with your preferred banking method and the amount you want to deposit.
Once you have finished funding your account, you’ll be ready to place NHL bets. Navigate to the NHL section using your sportsbook’s menu. Using BetOnline as an example, click “Sports” and then “Hockey” to reveal the “NHL Hockey Game” tab.
Make your selection by clicking or tapping on the side you want to wager on. For example, in the Toronto Maple Leafs (+112) vs Florida Panthers (-126) game, click on the “+112” next to Toronto if you want to bet the Maple Leafs on the moneyline.
The team or prop you select will appear on your bet slip. Type in the amount you want to risk or win, check it for accuracy, and then click the “Place Your Bet” button. Doing so will lock in the first wager on your hockey betting card.
Responsible Betting
We encourage all players to bet responsibly. Remember that betting on NHL games is a form of entertainment, not a source of income. Set loss limits and time limits. Budget your bankroll ahead of time to avoid losing more than you can afford to. Keeping these tips in mind will help you have fun and remain a responsible bettor.
If you are over-preoccupied with thoughts about betting or exceed your budget regularly, you might benefit from some help. Consider the resources below if you recognize the warning signs and symptoms in yourself or a loved one:
- National Council on Problem Gambling: (202) 547-9204 or NCPGambling.org
- AGA Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct (as supported by the NBA)
- Gambler’s Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
- Responsible Gambling Council: https://responsiblegambling.org/
How to Bet on Hockey: Key Takeaways
This NHL sports betting guide has covered the basics of how to bet on hockey. We have given you a walkthrough of all the NHL bet types, from puck lines through to futures. We have also shown you how to sign up online to bet on NHL, from picking a site, making a deposit, choosing your bet and making a wager amount.
With this information, you should feel empowered to make an account with an NHL sportsbook and begin wagering on hockey today. Don’t forget to check out the other NHL sports betting resources on this page for even more hockey betting tips.
NHL Betting Guide FAQ
The simplest NHL bet is the moneyline, where you just pick which team will win the game. There’s no spread to worry about, making it ideal for beginners learning how hockey betting works.
For most moneyline and total (over/under) bets, overtime and shootouts do count toward the final result. Regulation-only bets are the exception and are settled after 60 minutes of play.
If you placed a standard moneyline or total bet, the final result after overtime or a shootout determines the outcome. If you bet on regulation-only markets, overtime or shootouts may result in a push or no action, depending on the sportsbook.
A push occurs when the final result lands exactly on the betting line, such as a puck line of -1.0 or a total that finishes right on the posted number. When a push happens, your stake is usually refunded.
There isn’t a guaranteed or “easy” way to make money betting on the NHL, but the most beginner-friendly approach is focusing on simple markets and disciplined strategy. Moneyline bets, betting small, and sticking to teams you follow closely helps reduce mistakes. Long-term success comes from line shopping, bankroll management, and patience, and not chasing big payouts.
