Learn How to Bet on Hockey: NHL Betting Tips

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By Steve Madson
Table of Contents

Hockey is a big deal in North America. The combination of fast-paced action, maneuverability on ice, and the precision it takes to score goals is unmatched by other sports. The National Hockey League, or the NHL, is arguably one of the most followed sporting affairs. That’s why betting on hockey is so popular. Let’s discuss everything necessary regarding this pastime. Afterwards, you will realize what hockey betting in Canada entails.

Hockey Odds Explained

Before anything, you should know how to read hockey odds. These numbers define the amount you’ll get if your bet wins. NHL betting odds are always adjusted based on the competitors. Wagering on the stronger team generates a lower payout than the underdog offering a higher return.

The favorites are handed a negative number, and the opposite is true for the underdogs. For instance, if Team A is stronger and has odds of -150, you’d have to wager C$150 to win C$100 in return. Conversely, if Team B are the underdogs and have odds of +150, you’d win C$150 for every C$100 you bet.

Hockey Betting Lines Explained

To start NHL betting in Canada, knowing the kind of bets available is essential. These bet lines range from picking the winner to deciding the total number of goals. It’s not only a matter of choosing the winning team. One may wager on individual incidents and more. That’s why you should carefully decide between moneyline vs puck line in hockey or examine other bets when gambling.

What are the Main Hockey Bets?

The following 3 types are commonly found when wagering on an NHL game.

Moneyline

This is the simplest one to understand. You pick the team you think will win the game. The moneyline is assigned to each team based on how it stacks up against the opponent. As explained previously, favorites and underdogs get negative and positive numbers, respectively.

Let’s take a match of the Dallas Stars vs. the Boston Bruins. The former has odds of +155, and the latter is given -175. If you bet C$100 on the Stars and they win, you’ll receive C$155 in return. Whereas you must wager C$175 to win C$100 if the Bruins are victorious.

Puck Line

A number of bettors ask what is puck line before wagering on an NHL game. The Puck Line meaning is none other than selecting the winner but with a handicap assigned to the favorite side. This is the main difference between puck line and moneyline. You could also think of it as a point spread in football.

The most common puck line is 1.5. Consider the Dallas Stars with +1.5 odds and the Boston Bruins with -1.5. The Bruins are favored and must win by at least 2 goals for a successful wager. On the contrary, a bet on the Stars will win, even if they lose the game by 1 goal.

Over/Under

Another simple way to wager is via Over/Under betting. This consists of predicting whether the total goals at the conclusion of a match will be over or under the number specified by bookmakers. Typically, this value is set at 5.5 since hockey isn’t a high-scoring game. An Over bet will win if at least 6 goals are scored, while an Under will be successful otherwise.

Hockey Betting Tips

Learning how to bet on NHL games can be accelerated with certain expert tips. With their help, you should develop a strategy that works. Consider our four crucial points:

  • The Teams: Assess the two teams. Read their playing styles and see which one will fare well. One might be an offensive powerhouse, while the other employs the best goalie in the League. Your wagers must reflect an understanding of the teams.
  • Trends: Stay updated on the latest trends for better-informed decisions. Even if many things can change from season to season, checking trends like how teams fare in home and away games can give you the upper hand.
  • Injury Updates: Follow injury updates. They are crucial in how a team performs. Since the sport is so fast-paced, players are bound to face physical shortcomings. Last-minute changes might make a dominant team suffer.
  • Line Movement: Track line movements to utilize the best possible odds. The line moves based on factors like injuries or the players’ and teams’ form but also on different websites’ predictions. Review different sportsbooks to find the most economical and rewarding numbers.

Best NHL Betting Sites

Learning the basics of NHL gambling is only valid when you’re aware of the right platforms to bet on. Our experts have curated some NHL betting picks for this purpose. Let’s check the top 5.

Get up to C$150 in Free Bets
Snatch Casino

This Curacao-licenced casino was launched in 2021 and made it to our list thanks to its variety of options. There are many markets to bet on, including niche sports (eg, Aussie and Waterpolo) and eSports (eg, FIFA and NBA 2k). Plenty of casino games are also available, making the website a true all-rounder. Snatch is currently offering a welcome bonus of up to C$4000 to all new users.

Pros
  • Solid loyalty program
  • Generous welcome package
  • Support for crypto
Cons
  • Lack of no deposit promotions
  • Some game developers are unavailable in all countries
100% up to C$150
on Elvis Frog in Vegas
20Bet

20Bet is another site that requires no introduction even if only about three years old. Apart from wagering on the NHL, players have loads of other sports and a huge game library at their disposal. Security is guaranteed by state-of-the-art systems and licences from Curacao and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. If you’re a new user, a welcome bonus up to C$180 is waiting after registration.

Pros
  • Vast game collection
  • Excellent customer support
  • Generous withdrawal limits
Cons
  • Responsible gaming tools are lacking
  • Live chat isn’t supported in some languages
100% up to C$300
22Bet

The oldest site on our list, 22Bet launched in 2017. It’s licensed by Kahnawake and Curacao and is a leading bookmaker. The site has a number of ongoing bonuses to make gambling on the NHL easier and more rewarding. The bonus of C$150 helps new bettors get familiar with the process.

Pros
  • Plenty of live events daily
  • Ongoing bonuses and promos
  • Low deposit limits
Cons
  • Site design isn’t ideal
  • Support staff can’t be accessed via phone

How to Start NHL Betting in Canada

Beginners are often worried about how exactly to begin gambling. Luckily, wagering on the sport isn’t difficult. All you need is a few steps to follow:

  1. Step 1 Find a recommended platform

    Our list contains the best websites to engage in sports gambling. Browse the choices and see which one fits your needs.

  2. Step 2 Register
    Create an account by adding some basic information.
  3. Step 3 Claim the Welcome Bonus
    This usually requires a small deposit. Remember though, the more money you deposit, the bigger your reward.
  4. Step 4 Browse the Bets
    Head to the sports section and find the match you wish to bet on. Browse the available lines and decide what kind of wager you’d like to put down.
  5. Step 5 Place the Wagers

    Make your bets, and keep tabs on the match. Wait for the results, and withdraw your winnings if you’re successful.

With easy steps, fans will be up and running with gambling. Just make sure you shop for the most lucrative numbers ahead of making any wagers.

FAQ

  • How to bet on hockey in Canada?

    It’s rather easy if you follow our guide. Select a website from our top 5 recommendations, register your account, and be sure to claim your bonus.

  • A 3-way bet allows you to wager for a win, loss, or tie, and it’s rather popular in soccer. In hockey, this means that only the score at the end of the three main periods is considered. In other words, you can think of it as a bet for the overtime.

  • The betting limits determine the minimum and maximum wager amounts for each bet. Even if you won’t find striking differences, these limitations vary from website to website.

  • There are two categories of stats: team- and player-related. For those, there are two extra categories: match- and season-related. They vary from goals and saves to percentages of shots and hits. Getting familiar with stats gives you a big advantage when placing bets.

  • A match is divided into three 20-minute periods, with the time running only when the puck is in play. In case of a tie, the game continues with 20-minute overtime until one team scores a goal.

  • The NHL regular season consists of 82 games per team, totaling 1312 games played from October to June.

  • Similarly to soccer, each goal in hockey is worth 1 point.