What Is a Push in Hockey Betting and When Do You Get Refunded?

A push in hockey betting means the sportsbook refunds your wager in full — no win, no loss. It happens when the final result lands exactly on the number you bet. Understanding when a push is even possible shapes which bet types you take and at what line.

When does a push happen on NHL totals?

A typical NHL over/under is set at 5.5 goals, which cannot push — a half-goal always produces a winner and a loser. But some books post whole-number totals like 5 or 6. If the combined final score matches that number exactly, the bet pushes and your stake comes back. Overtime and shootout goals are included in the final total used to grade over/under bets, so a game that sits at 5 goals through regulation and then adds a shootout goal will settle at 6, not 5. Standard juice on totals is –110 on both sides, meaning you risk $110 to profit $100. A push avoids losing that $110, but you also collect nothing. See the full breakdown at Hockey Over/Under Explained — NHL Totals Betting Guide.

Can the puck line push?

Rarely. The puck line is almost always set at ±1.5 goals — a half-number — so a push is structurally impossible under standard pricing. A heavy moneyline favorite at –250 might be priced at +110 or +130 on the –1.5 puck line, offering better return in exchange for requiring a two-goal margin of victory. Because 1.5 is never a whole number, the puck line result is always a clean win or loss. The only scenario where a puck line push could occur is if a book posts an alternate spread at a whole number, which is uncommon. Learn more at What Is the Puck Line? Hockey's ±1.5 Goal Spread Explained.

What about the moneyline — can that push?

A standard two-way moneyline cannot push because one team wins. A three-way moneyline (regulation result only) is different: if the game is tied after 60 minutes, the "draw" option wins and the Team A and Team B bets lose — there is no refund. That is not a push; it is a loss. For moneyline mechanics, visit Hockey Moneyline Betting Explained — With Real NHL Odds.

Who should care most about whole-number lines?

Bettors who shop lines across multiple books. If one book posts a total of 6 and another posts 5.5, the whole-number line carries push risk that the half-number line does not. That risk cuts both ways: you avoid a loss if the game lands on 6, but you also avoid a win if your ticket would have cashed at 5.5. Sharp bettors often prefer the certainty of a half-number; recreational bettors may take the push protection without fully pricing the trade-off.

How does a push affect parlays?

A pushed leg is typically removed from the parlay, reducing it by one leg. A three-team parlay with one push becomes a two-team parlay at the same odds structure. This is sportsbook-specific — always check the house rules before assuming. For a full look at every bet type where pushes could enter the picture, see NHL Bet Types: Every Hockey Wager Explained.

Availability of NHL betting markets, including whole-number totals, depends on your state's legal framework. Laws and licensed operators vary by state, so confirm what's available where you are before placing a wager. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.