Want to try your hand at betting on hockey? The NHL offers some unique opportunities that other sports don’t, but it also comes with its own quirks. Let’s break down what you really need to know to get started.
First Things First: How NHL Games Work
The NHL season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. After that, the best teams battle it out in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup. Pretty straightforward, right? But here’s what makes hockey betting interesting: games can end in regulation time, overtime, or even shootouts. This adds an extra layer of excitement (and complexity) to your bets.
Types of Bets You Can Make
Let’s focus on the bets that actually matter for beginners:
The Simple Stuff
- Moneyline: Pick who wins. That’s it. If you see -150, you’ll need to bet $150 to win $100. If you see +200, a $100 bet gets you $200 in profit if you win.
- Puck Line: Think of it as hockey’s version of a point spread. Most games are set at 1.5 goals. Your team can either win by 2 or more, or lose by 1 or less.
- Over/Under: Bet on the total number of goals scored by both teams combined. That’s all there is to it.
More Advanced Options (Once You’re Ready)
- Player Props: Bet on individual player performance, like who scores first or how many saves a goalie makes.
- Live Betting: Placing bets while the game is happening. This is fun but tricky – save it for when you’re more experienced.
- Futures: Long-term bets like who’ll win the Stanley Cup. These are fun but tie up your money for a while.
What Really Affects Hockey Games
Here’s what you should actually look at before betting:
- Goalies: They can make or break a game. Always check who’s starting in net – it’s probably the single most important factor.
- Rest: Teams playing their second game in two nights often struggle. This is huge in hockey because it’s such a physical sport.
- Home Ice: Home teams have an advantage, but it’s not as big as you might think. Don’t overvalue it.
- Special Teams: Power plays can change everything. Look at a team’s power play and penalty kill percentages – they tell you a lot about potential scoring opportunities.
Smart Betting Strategies That Work
- Start Small and Simple
- Stick to moneyline bets at first
- Bet small amounts while you learn
- Avoid parlays until you really know what you’re doing
- Watch the Goalies
- Follow goalie announcements on Twitter
- Pay attention to how goalies perform in back-to-back games
- Look at their history against specific teams
- Manage Your Money
- Never bet more than 5% of your bankroll on a single game
- Keep track of all your bets (seriously, use a spreadsheet)
- Set a strict budget and stick to it
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t Chase Losses
- Lost a bet? Don’t double up trying to win it back
- Stick to your original betting plan
- Take breaks if you’re on a losing streak
- Don’t Bet Your Favorite Team
- Emotional betting leads to bad decisions
- Being a fan doesn’t make you an expert
- If anything, avoid betting on games involving your team
- Don’t Ignore Value
- Just because a team is likely to win doesn’t mean they’re worth betting on
- Look for odds that offer good value, not just winners
- Sometimes the best bet is no bet at all
Tools You Actually Need
- Legit sportsbooks: You can look on this site to find sportsbooks
- NHL.com: For basic stats and lineup info
- Twitter: Follow team beat writers for instant updates
- A odds comparison site: Shop around for the best prices
- Excel/Google Sheets: Track your bets and results
Playoff Betting: A Different Beast
Playoff hockey is not the same as regular season hockey. Here’s what changes:
- Games are more defensive
- Star players get more ice time
- Teams rarely play back-to-back
- Momentum means more in a series
- Underdogs have a better chance
Starting Out? Do This First
- Watch games without betting for a week or two
- Start with small moneyline bets only
- Keep track of every bet you make
- Focus on one division or conference at first
- Don’t feel pressured to bet every day
Remember: Hockey is one of the most unpredictable sports out there. Even the worst teams win fairly often, and the best teams regularly lose to underdogs. Start slow, stay patient, and focus on learning rather than winning big right away.
The Bottom Line
NHL betting can be profitable if you’re smart about it. But it’s also fast-paced and can be tricky to follow. Take your time learning the sport and the betting markets. There’s no rush – the NHL plays over 1,000 games each season, so there are always more opportunities coming up.
