How to Bet on Hockey — The No-Fluff NHL Betting Guide

What is the moneyline in NHL betting?

The moneyline is the most straightforward hockey wager available: pick a team to win. A negative number (–) shows the favorite — wager that amount to profit $100. A positive number (+) shows the underdog — profit that amount on a $100 bet. Example: favorite at –175 means you risk $175 to net $100; underdog at +155 means you risk $100 to net $155.

Standard moneylines include overtime and shootout. Your team just has to win the game, however long it takes. For a deeper breakdown, see hockey moneyline betting explained with real NHL odds.

What is the puck line in hockey betting?

The puck line is hockey's point spread. It's almost always set at ±1.5 goals. Back the favorite at –1.5 and they must win by two or more goals. Take the underdog at +1.5 and they cover by losing by one goal or winning outright.

The juice varies significantly. A heavy moneyline favorite at –250 might be priced around +110 or +130 on the –1.5 puck line — better return, higher bar to clear. Empty net goals matter here too; roughly 20–25% of NHL games include at least one, which can decide puck line outcomes at the final buzzer.

Get the full picture at what is the puck line — hockey's ±1.5 goal spread explained.

How do NHL over/under bets work?

A totals bet asks whether both teams combine for more or fewer goals than a set number — typically 5.5 in the NHL. Overtime and shootout goals count toward the final total. If the number is a whole figure and the score lands exactly on it, the bet pushes and stakes are refunded.

Standard juice on both sides of a totals market is often –110, which builds in an implied house edge of roughly 4.5%. Read more in the NHL totals betting guide.

What other NHL bet types should beginners know?

Beyond the three core markets, there's a lot more on the board:

• Three-way moneyline — Bet on Team A to win in regulation, Team B to win in regulation, or a tie after 60 minutes. Higher odds, but a tied game at the buzzer kills a standard two-way moneyline pick. See regulation-only hockey betting explained.
• Player props — Goals, assists, shots on goal for individual skaters. Covered in detail at NHL player props: goals, assists, and shots on goal.
• Futures — Stanley Cup champion, conference winner, award winners. Example odds from sources: Edmonton Oilers +800, Boston Bruins +850, Colorado Avalanche +850. More at NHL futures betting and Stanley Cup odds.
• Live betting — In-game wagers with odds moving in real time throughout the contest.

The full breakdown of every hockey wager type lives at NHL bet types: every hockey wager explained.

Which sportsbooks offer NHL betting in the US?

Major licensed operators covering NHL markets include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Bet365, Hard Rock Bet, and Caesars. FanDuel offers up to two live NHL streams per day during the regular season for customers with a funded account or placed wager, in states where legal. DraftKings covers moneylines, puck lines, over/unders, and futures.

Bonus bets are not cash — they can't typically be withdrawn directly and carry their own terms. Always read the fine print before depositing. Must be 21+ (18+ in some states). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

For ranked comparisons on odds quality, market depth, and current promos, visit best NHL betting sites: legal sportsbooks ranked for hockey.

Where is NHL betting legal online?

PASPA was overturned in 2018, and more than 30 states now have legal online sports betting, including Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia, among others. Laws and minimum ages vary by state — most require 21+, a handful allow 18+.

Every licensed operator has been vetted by the state's gaming commission before receiving a license. Stick to licensed books; unlicensed offshore operators provide no consumer protection if a dispute arises. Full state-by-state details are at legal hockey betting states: where online NHL wagering is live.

How to actually bet on hockey — step by step

1. Confirm sports betting is legal in your state.
2. Choose a licensed sportsbook and create an account — you'll need your name, email, phone number, and identity verification documents.
3. Deposit funds and wait for approval before wagering.
4. Navigate to the NHL section and pick a market: moneyline, puck line, or total.
5. Enter your stake, review the potential payout, and confirm the bet.

Deposited funds go through an approval process before they're available — plan ahead if tip-off is soon.

Where to go from here

Hockey's low-scoring nature makes odds reading and bet selection more important than in higher-scoring sports. A moneyline grind suits casual fans. Puck line and totals work better for those with a feel for team pace and goaltending matchups. Strategy content is at NHL betting strategy: what actually moves the line.

New to all of this? Start with the beginner hockey betting guides for a structured path. Or browse NHL odds articles and explainers to sharpen how you read a line before placing your first bet.