The National Hockey League is one of the four major professional sports in the United States, but it is not a sport that sees a ton of betting action.
NHL betting has increased over the last few years, and the league itself has done a good job of marketing when it comes to sports betting. This is a sport that has some interesting and unique betting options, but the same popular betting types are offered as well.
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This guide will highlight some of the best betting options that are available and give you some tips to use when betting on the sport.
Best NHL bets to make
There are some great betting options when it comes to the NHL, and most of these betting types will be familiar to sports bettors that wager on other sports. This section will describe some of the top NHL betting options as well as show you some examples.
For example, the Carolina Hurricanes will be the favorite in each matchup, and the Florida Panthers will be the underdogs.
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is extremely popular when it comes to the NHL as you are simply picking the winner of a hockey game. While some other sports tend to have the spread as the most popular option, that isn't the case when it comes to the NHL.
Carolina Hurricanes -145
Florida Panthers +165
In this situation, the Hurricanes are pretty heavy favorites, and it would take a $145 bet to win $100. Betting on the Panthers with $100 could earn a payout of $165, but they are clearly the underdog in this matchup.
Puck line
A puck line bet on the NHL is similar to betting against the spread when it comes to other sports. The puck line is almost always set at 1.5 goals for NHL matchups, which can make this a tough bet to win.
Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 | (+140)
Florida Panthers +1.5 | (-145)
The Hurricanes now have to win this NHL game by at least two goals, but there is also a much bigger payout if they accomplish this feat. Florida can lose the game by just one goal and be the right pick when betting the puck line.
Totals
Another popular NHL bet to make is what is called a totals bet, or is sometimes referred to as an "over/under." This bet is popular with nearly every sport that you can find at a sportsbook, and it takes some of the pressure off of the bettor.
Instead of betting on which team will win the NHL game, this bet focuses on the total number of goals that are scored. When the lines are set by the sportsbook, bettors can simply bet over or under the number that is set.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
Over 5.5 | (-110)
Under 5.5 | (-110)
If the two teams combine to score at least six goals, then the over would be the right pick. If Carolina and Florida combine for five goals or less, then the under would be the right play.
Futures betting
A futures bet is another great way to bet on the NHL, and this betting type focuses on a result that will occur at the end of a season. Betting on the Carolina Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup is one example of a popular futures betting market.
Sportsbooks will also offer future betting lines for the winner of each division or conference, and the odds will change throughout the season. You can also find odds for individual awards listed at sportsbooks.
Prop betting
Prop betting is generally thought of as a fun and unique way to bet on sports, and these prop betting options are left up to each individual sportsbook. These options generally focus on the individual stats for a player or a team but can also focus on the entire game as well.
Here are some examples of prop betting options that you might see:
Will there be a fight in the first period of the Hurricanes-Panthers game?
Hurricanes shots on goal: Over/Under 33.5
Will a roughing penalty be the first infraction of the game?
Live or in-play betting
Sportsbooks offer live or in-play betting for the NHL as well, and you can find moneyline, puck line, and totals bets available under this format. These live betting odds do change quickly, and you will need to make a decision without much thought if you are making this type of bet.
Tips for betting the NHL
Now that you know some of the top betting options that are available to you, it is time to look at some NHL betting tips or strategies that can help you win some money. Betting on the NHL is much different than any other sport, but there are still some things to consider that should help you win some money.
Look at goaltending matchup
Just like starting pitchers matter when it comes to betting MLB, the goaltending matchup has a big impact on betting the NHL. This doesn't mean that the better goaltender will always lead his team to a win, but this is a great place to start.
NHL teams are not going to start their top goaltender every game of the season because they don't want their top option to be fatigued. You don't want to be someone that is making a big bet on a team that is playing their second or third-string goaltender in a game.
This information isn't always easy to find, but it can make a big difference when betting on the NHL.
Check for injuries
The NHL is a very violent sport, but this is also a sport where the players attempt to play through significant pain and injuries. This doesn't always occur, and teams can be left without some of their top players for a period of time.
After looking at the goaltending matchup, the next thing you need to do is check the injury report for each team. An injury to a star player can have a significant impact on the betting lines and can also affect the outcome of a game.
Vary betting types
Betting on the NHL is not easy, but there are some strategies to try if you find yourself in a rut when betting on the league. Most bettors tend to focus on the money line or total when betting the NHL, but there are many other terrific options.
One of the best things that you can do is give yourself a chance to win some money, and you need to be looking at all available betting types. Look at the list that was provided above and try to find the best betting odds and lines for any and all available betting types that are offered.