Betting on NHL hockey might seem a bit confusing at first, but it’s actually straightforward once you know the basics. Whether it’s the middle of the regular season or the heat of the playoffs, the core bet types remain the same.

In this guide, we’ll break down the three primary hockey betting markets – moneylines, puck lines, and totals (over/unders) – and explain how they work.

We’ll also talk about how to read NHL odds and how things like overtime, shootouts, and the intensity of playoff hockey can affect your bets.

By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to bet on NHL games smartly and enjoyably.

Moneyline – Betting on a Team to Win

The moneyline is the simplest and most popular way to bet on hockey. You’re just picking which team will win the game outright (no point spreads involved).

Because not all matchups are equal, each team is assigned odds based on its chances of winning. These odds are usually shown as American odds, with a negative number for the favorite and a positive number for the underdog.

For example, imagine the Boston Bruins are listed at -175 on the moneyline. That negative number means they are favored – you would need to risk $175 to win $100 in profit if Boston wins the game.

Now, say their opponent, the Dallas Stars, are +155 underdogs. The plus sign indicates a payout of $155 on a $100 bet if Dallas wins. In short, “-” means you lay that amount to win $100, and “+” means you win that amount on a $100 bet.

Smaller bets scale accordingly (for instance, a $17.50 bet at -175 would win $10, and a $100 bet at +155 would win $155).

Moneyline odds reflect each team’s perceived strength and form.

A heavy favorite might be -300 or more (very strong chance to win), while a big underdog could be +250 or higher.

Most games have closer odds, especially during the playoffs when teams are more evenly matched. But even a favorite at something like -250 might not be worth the high risk for a relatively low reward. In those cases, some bettors look at the puck line (the NHL’s version of a point spread) for better odds – we’ll explain that next.

One important thing to know: Standard NHL moneyline bets include overtime and shootouts. If the game is tied after regulation, your moneyline bet still has life – whichever team wins in OT or the shootout will win the bet for you.

Unless a bet is labeled as “Regulation Time” or a “60-minute line” (which excludes overtime), your moneyline wager will count any extra time played.

Puck Line – The NHL Point Spread (usually ±1.5 Goals)

The puck line is hockey’s version of a point spread. Because hockey is typically low-scoring and many games are decided by a single goal, the standard puck line is set at 1.5 goals. This means one team is “-1.5” (the favorite) and the other is “+1.5” (the underdog).

If you bet the favorite on the puck line, they have to win by 2 or more goals to cover the spread. If you bet the underdog +1.5, that team can lose by 1 goal (or win outright) and your bet still wins.

Here’s how it works in practice: Suppose the Colorado Avalanche are heavy favorites against the Arizona Coyotes. The moneyline might have Colorado at -250 (meaning risk $250 to win $100) and Arizona at +200. The puck line could then be Avalanche -1.5 (around -110) and Coyotes +1.5 (around -110) – an even money proposition with the 1.5-goal handicap.

If you take the Avalanche -1.5, they need to win by at least two goals (e.g. 4-2 or 3-1). If they win 3-2 (only a one-goal margin) or end up losing, that bet loses.

Conversely, if you took the Coyotes +1.5, you’d win the bet if Arizona wins the game outright or if they only lose by one goal.

Often, betting the puck line is a way to get a better payout on a strong favorite or to give yourself a cushion on an underdog.

For instance, a team might be -250 on the moneyline but around -110 on the -1.5 puck line, which offers a much better return.

On the flip side, an underdog that is +200 on the moneyline could become -1.5 (say at -120) when given a 1.5-goal head start. The odds swing because you’re adjusting the risk: the favorite has a harder task (win by 2+), and the underdog has an easier one (can lose by one and still cover).

Giving the underdog an extra 1.5 goals often turns them into the “favorite” in terms of the juice you have to lay.

Note: Because so many NHL games are close, that 1.5-goal spread is frequently the deciding factor. In a typical season, there are a ton of one-goal games, which is why the puck line is set at 1.5 goals in most matchups.

If a game goes into overtime, a puck line bet on the underdog +1.5 is virtually assured to win, since the game will only be decided by one goal in OT or a shootout.

Meanwhile, if you bet a favorite -1.5 and the game reaches overtime, you’ve essentially already lost that bet (because the best the favorite can do in extra time is win by one in sudden death). Keep this in mind, especially when betting puck lines on playoff games where overtime is common.

Totals (Over/Under Goals)

The third major market is the total – betting on how many total goals both teams will score in the game. The sportsbook sets an over/under number, and you wager on whether the actual goals scored will be over or under that amount.

In NHL betting, typical totals are usually around 5.5 or 6 goals for a game, though they can vary by matchup and scoring trends.

For example, you might see a total of 5.5 goals listed for a matchup. If you bet the Over 5.5, you need six or more total goals scored (by both teams) to win. If you bet the Under 5.5, you need five or fewer total goals in the game.

Let’s say the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens are playing, and the total is set at 5.5.

If the final score is 4-2 (which sums to 6 goals), the Over hits.

If it’s 3-2 (5 goals total), the Under hits.

Sportsbooks often use half-goal increments like 5.5 to avoid a tie, but sometimes you will see a whole number like 5 or 6.

In those cases, if the total lands exactly on the number, it’s a push – you get your money back because neither over nor under wins.

For instance, if the total was 5 and the game ended 3-2 (5 goals), all bets are refunded.

When deciding on over/unders, consider the teams’ playing style (offensive firepower vs. defensive mindset, goalie strength, etc.).

Also note that, just like with moneylines and puck lines, overtime counts toward the total. If a game is tied 2-2 in regulation (4 goals) and goes into overtime, any goal in OT or even a shootout will add to the total.

In a shootout, the winning team is typically awarded one extra goal in the final score to settle totals and puck lines. So, an OT game that goes to a shootout might officially end 3-2, adding one more goal to the total for the shootout victor.

Overtime, Shootouts, and Regulation-Only Bets

Hockey has some unique rules for overtime and shootouts, and it’s important to know how they affect your bets. As mentioned earlier, standard bets (moneyline, puck line, and total) automatically include any overtime or shootout that occurs.

You don’t have to do anything extra – if the game goes to OT, your bets just ride along. The final score after overtime or a shootout is what counts for settling all these wagers.

For example, if you bet the moneyline on a team and they win in overtime or a shootout, your bet wins just the same as if they won in regulation. If you bet Over 5.5 goals and it’s 2-2 at the end of regulation (4 goals), and then the overtime period produces a goal and the final shootout winner is credited an extra goal, the final tally might be 4-3 (7 goals) – meaning your over bet ends up winning thanks to the extra time.

On the other hand, if you had Under 5.5 in that scenario, the OT and shootout would push the total over, and your bet would lose. The key point is that, unless specified otherwise, overtime does count for these bets.

Now, some betting lines are offered as “Regulation Only” – often listed as a “60-minute line” or a three-way moneyline (Team A / Team B / Tie).

If you bet the 60-minute line, you are betting on the result after three periods (regulation time) only. In that case, a tie at the end of regulation means a regulation-time bet on either team would lose (because neither team won in 60 minutes – the “Tie” option would be the winner in a three-way market).

These regulation-only bets usually have better odds on the favorites because you’re removing the safety net of overtime. For instance, a team that is -140 on the regular moneyline might be around -115 to win in regulation – higher payout, but if they fail to get it done in 60 minutes, that bet doesn’t cash. Always double-check whether you’re betting including OT or regulation only, so you know exactly what needs to happen for you to win.

Regular Season vs. Playoffs – Key Differences for Bettors

Betting on hockey during the regular season versus the playoffs can feel a bit different, even if the bet types are the same.

In the regular season, you’ll encounter more wide-open games and occasionally lopsided matchups (for example, a top team against a rebuilding team). High-scoring games happen, and you might see favorites with very short odds when a powerhouse faces a weak opponent. There are also shootouts in the regular season, which can introduce a bit of randomness in how a game is decided.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the dynamics change. Games tend to be tighter and more defensive, and goals come at a premium. Teams are playing for their season, so they often take fewer risks, which leads to lower-scoring games on average. It’s not uncommon to see game totals of five in playoff hockey (whereas six might be common in the regular season), and even those can go under.

A total of five goals is very common in playoff games because of the cautious style. So, betting the Under becomes more tempting in many playoff matchups, and Over/Under lines might be set a bit lower than you’d see in October or November.

Playoff games are also more likely to be decided by one goal. There’s a lot of parity among teams that make the postseason – even a lower-seeded team can frequently push a top seed to the brink. The NHL playoffs have smaller margins between even the best and worst teams, and the low-scoring nature means one mistake can swing the outcome of a game.

For bettors, that means heavy favorites aren’t as common, and taking an underdog (or a +1.5 puck line) in the playoffs can sometimes be a savvy play. Upsets happen regularly, so be mindful that a big-name team isn’t guaranteed to steamroll a weaker playoff opponent.

Bottom line: Regular season hockey and playoff hockey have the same betting mechanics, but you should factor in the context. In the regular season, you might exploit mismatches and higher scoring trends, whereas in the playoffs, you might lean towards unders and be cautious with puck line bets on favorites, given how close and low-scoring many playoff games can be.

Final Thoughts

Betting on NHL games comes down to understanding these core bet types and knowing the context of the game.

For beginners, moneyline bets are a great start because you simply pick a winner. As you get comfortable, puck lines offer a way to risk a little less on big favorites or to get a safer margin with an underdog, and totals let you bet on the style of game (offense vs. defense) rather than a specific team.

Always remember that hockey can be unpredictable – a hot goalie or a lucky bounce can turn a game around. That’s part of what makes it exciting, but it also means no bet is a “sure thing.”

Take it step by step, enjoy the games, and consider tracking your bets to see how you do. And of course, manage your bankroll responsibly. With this guide, you should feel more confident about reading NHL odds and placing smart bets on moneylines, puck lines, and totals.

Good luck, and enjoy the action on the ice!