Puck Line Bets
Puck line wagers are the equivalent of point spread bets in the NBA and the NFL. With this market, you’re effectively betting on the winning margin in an NHL matchup. The puck line represents a parameter that balances the scales between two unevenly matched teams, giving the underdog team a starting advantage while ‘handicapping’ the favourite.
For example, in a match between the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets, the Stars may be at -2.5 (+190), and the Jets at +2.5 (-200). If you bet $100 on the Stars, they need to win by more than two goals for you to get your $190 payout. On the other side, the Jets need to lose by less than three goals or win the game outright for you to win a bet on them.
Totals (Over/Under)
With the totals wager, you need to predict whether the combined total number of goals scored in an NHL fixture will be below or above the threshold set by the sportsbooks.
For example, the matchup between the St Louis Blues and the Boston Bruins might be set at a total of 6.5. If the Blues win 7:2, that would mean that those that placed the over wager would win the bet while leaving the under bettors empty-handed.
Futures
In general, the futures bet refers to a wager placed on a sporting event whose outcome will be decided in the relatively distant future. Most futures bets are related to the outcome of a competition, usually the entire season or the championship.
In the NHL, you can place a futures bet on the Stanley Cup winner or the winner of both conferences. You can even put some cash on the line on winners of the four divisions.
This market is characterized by massive odds, so you could hit it really big if your predictions are successful. And that’s exactly what makes them so popular — the prospect of winning huge even with a small wager.
Props
Props or proposition bets, often called specials, are special wagers you can find on NHL betting sites. This market is not related to the final score or outcome, at least not directly. Instead, you’re betting on an individual player’s performance or whether a certain situation will happen in the game. Props bet could look something like this Is Leon Draisaitl going to score three goals? or Which team will score the first goal?
