Want to know more about the different types of hockey bets to place? Our experts explain everything you need to know in this complete guide.

Hockey betting lines

Moneyline

Placing a Moneyline bet simply means wagering on one team to win the game. For example, moneyline betting on the. The longer the odds, the higher the payout. In Moneyline odds, the favorite is expressed as a negative number (ex. -240) whereas the underdog is represented by a positive number (ex. +170).

Puck line

A Puck Line bet is what a Point Spread bet is called in hockey betting. In this instance, you're betting on whether a team will win or lose by a certain number of goals. For example, the Puck Line bet on Carolina to beat Florida is set at –1.5, so they would have to win by 2 or more goals.

Over/Under

Submitting a Totals bet, more commonly referred to as an Over/Under bet, means predicting whether a pair of teams will hit a certain points threshold by game's end. For example, the Over/Under bet on a game between Colorado and San Jose is set at 4.5 goals. If betting the over, you would need at least 5 goals to win, whereas you would hope for 4 or less goals if you'd wagered on the under.

Futures

Wagering on an event taking place at a later date is referred to as a Futures bet. A lot of these bet types center around team awards such as 'Stanley Cup Winner' and 'Presidents' Trophy Winner', for example. Futures bets can also be placed on individual players. For example, betting on a player to win 'Most Valuable Player' or 'Rookie of the Year'.

Prop bets

Prop betting is like totals betting, but without being limited to just betting on the final score. A lot of hockey prop bets concern the statistics of players as individuals. For example, betting on a player to score 2 or more goals. Prop bets can also pertain to the game itself, such as placing a prop bet on more than 3 goals being scored in the second period.

Live betting

Live betting allows you to make wagers all game long. Once the puck drops the betting lines will constantly be fluctuating and updating based on what's happening in-game.

For example, Colombus are up 4-2 on Tampa Bay after 2 periods. The live betting odds would consider Colombus as a heavy favorite to win the game. Conversely, the live betting odds of Tampa Bay making a comeback would be long.

Hockey betting odds

Knowing how to read odds is essential before placing any hockey bets. American odds are the most common, expressed as a three-digit number that is negative for favorites and positive for underdogs.

For example, Dallas (-150) are favored over Edmonton (+130). At -150, a $100 bet on the Dallas would return a $166.67 ($66.67 profit) payout. Alternatively, a $100 bet on Edmonton would return a $230 ($130 profit) payout.

Some sportsbooks prefer to use decimal odds or fractional odds instead. For example, Edmonton at +260 would be expressed as 3.60 in decimal odds and as 13/5 in fractional odds. Regardless of the odds type being used, ESPN BET Sportsbook and Casino will do the math for you.

Just remember that you can enter any stake to see what your hypothetical payout would be before hitting submit. Always be on the lookout for boosted odds as well. ESPN BET Sportsbook will periodically boost the odds of certain markets.

Hockey betting tips and factors to consider

Goalies

Goaltending is one of the hardest things to predict in hockey. One of the best ways to get started is to note when a team last played. For example, if Nashville are on the second leg of a back-to-back, the team will almost certainly play its backup goalie. If the other team is playing its starter on two days rest, for example, the advantage is then significant.

Team performance

The standings don't always tell the full story. For example, perhaps the first-place Philadelphia are taking on the last-place Ottawa. It may look like a slam dunk for Philadelphia, but say the team is 2-8 in its last 10 games whereas Ottawa have won five straight. Momentum can have a large effect on outcome.

Home-ice advantage

Most teams play better on home ice, but some teams truly thrive on it. For example, Pittsburgh are facing Calgary. Pittsburgh may be higher in the standings, but Calgary could be 26-11-4 at home. These two factors can cause who is listed as the underdog, and how the odds are factored, to be close to an even split.

Matchup history

Some hockey matchups transcend statistics. For example, the 'Battle of Ontario' between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. Games between this pair are often decided by a single goal, regardless of position in the standings. As such, it's never a bad idea to place a bet on the underdog in this matchup.

Line movement

Hockey betting lines will usually be released up to a day in advance. It can be advantageous to take a look at the odds of each game the night before, as oddsmakers will sometimes tip their hand through line movement. For example, Washington is +250 on the moneyline the day before the game but just +200 the day of, this tells us that the oddsmaker is having doubts about the favorite, which is one reason why the odds have drawn closer.

Public betting trends

Hockey betting trends can influence line movement as well. For example, if Buffalo are a -200 favorite and there's suddenly a high volume of bets placed on them to win, the odds could grow to -250 or even -300. If there's a bet you like that offers great value, it's always best to lock it in while the odds are still favorable.

Injuries and suspensions

Injuries and suspensions are prevalent throughout hockey. As such, they can have a large impact on hockey betting. Be sure to always check the news prior to making a bet. Suspensions are usually announced with plenty of notice, but injuries can cause players to be held out at the last minute. Either way, it never hurts to check reports to make sure you have all the latest news.

Hockey betting mistakes to avoid

Betting based on emotions

One of the most important hockey betting rules is to take emotion out of it. If you're having an unlucky day of betting, take a break and try again later. Even the best hockey bettors have plenty of losing days.

Not doing enough research

It's never a good idea to hastily make a bet unless you already have a lot of organic knowledge on the topic. Otherwise, always do your research. Making an educated wager takes time, so don't force it if life gets busy and you just simply don't have the time.

Focusing on short-term trends

Trends are a huge part of hockey. Like anything else, however, it's best to take information from small sample sizes with a grain of salt. For example, if a team loses eight straight, then wins two-in-a-row, don't just focus on the two wins. Always look at the bigger picture.

Overvaluing home-ice advantage

One of the greatest perceived advantages in hockey betting is home ice. Although it is more desirable than being on the road, it doesn't account for as much in hockey as it does in basketball or soccer. Home-ice advantage is worth looking at, but don't make it the focal point of evidence when placing a bet.

Not managing your bankroll effectively

It's important to be honest with yourself about what you're able to spend. A good rule is to put a percentage limit on your hockey bets based on your current account balance. For example, if you have $100 in your account and have a 15% spending limit, you will know not to spend over $15 on hockey bets for that night.

Not keeping track of your bets

You've done the research and you've placed the bets. But are you keeping track? By keeping some data on yourself in terms of what you're betting on and your success rate, you can learn what you're good at. From there, you can focus on bet types that bring you the most success.

How to place your hockey bets

Placing bets on hockey can be an exciting and rewarding experience, especially if you've done your homework and feel confident in your selections. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to place your hockey bets:

1. Create your account: Enter all required information including name, date-of-birth and address. Use government-issued ID to prove legitimacy of identity.
2. Navigate to the Hockey category: Once you’ve logged into your account and it’s funded, navigate to the hockey section, which will be listed in the main menu or under a "Sports" category.
3. Choose league and/or event: Once 'Hockey' is selected, there will be an additional sub-menu dividing betting markets by league/tournament and sometimes country.
4. Place your first bet: After deciding which game you'd like to bet on first, choose a reasonable amount to wager and hit 'Submit' on your bet slip.

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Hockey betting FAQs

Can I place bets on individual periods in an ice hockey game?

Yes, you can place bets on individual periods both before and during the game thanks to hockey live betting. For example, you can bet on the Over/Under of first period goals or whether or not anyone will score at all in the second period.

How do live betting and in-play betting work in ice hockey?

Hockey live betting allows you to place wagers on all of your favorite hockey markets at any point during the game. It's very similar to pre-game betting, with a key difference being the rate at which odds fluctuate. The odds of every market are constantly changing based on what's happening in-play. For example, if a pre-game favorite is down 2-0 after the first period, live betting odds may turn them into an underdog.

What are the most common ice hockey prop bets?

The most common ice hockey prop bets include anytime goal scorer, over/under points and over/under shot totals.

What are the rules for overtime and shootouts in ice hockey betting?

In ice hockey betting, most Moneyline and Puck Line bets will include overtime and shootout results. The main focus is on the final score. If a hockey bet type that depends on the game result does not include overtime or a shootout, it will usually be specified.

What is the importance of tracking and analyzing my ice hockey betting results?

Keeping track of your bets and analyzing what's working and what isn't can be instrumental to your hockey betting success. On top of researching teams and players, it's important to also research yourself. For example, if you find you're better at prop betting than puck line betting, you can maximize your success by giving prop betting your full attention.