One-stop guide to NHL betting types, from moneylines to parlays and everything in between.
Whether you're a seasoned sports bettor or new to wagering on hockey, understanding the different types of NHL bets is key to making smarter decisions.
The NHL offers a variety of betting markets—from straightforward moneylines to creative parlay combinations—that give fans multiple ways to engage with the action on the ice.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the most popular types of NHL bets, what they mean, and when to use them.
More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals
Moneyline Bets
The simplest form of NHL betting.
A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the score margin.
Puck Line Bets
NHL’s version of the point spread. The puck line is almost always set at -1.5 for favorites and +1.5 for underdogs. This would mean to win you would need the favorite at -1.5 to win by 2+ goals. Betting the underdog at +1.5, and your bet wins if they win or lose by one goal.
Over/Under (Totals)
Betting on the combined score of both teams. Oddsmakers set a projected total for the game, and you bet whether the actual total will be over or under that number.
An example would be a game with a total set at 6.5 goals with the over needing seven or more goals to be scored while the under would need six or fewer goals to be scored.
More NHL: Jonathan Toews NHL Return Could Be With Anaheim Ducks, According to NHL Insider
Prop Bets (Proposition Bets)
Bets on specific events within the game. These aren’t tied to the outcome of the match but focus on individual performances or occurrences.
Examples of this are a player to score a goal, record a certain number of shots or if the game will go into overtime. Prop bets are great for adding fun and depth to the betting experience.
Period Betting
Wagering on individual periods rather than the full game. If you believe a team will have a strong start to a game then you can bet on them to outscore the opponent and win a specific period, or you could bet on game totals within that period.
Futures Bets
Long-term bets on season outcomes. These bets are typically the longest to wait for but have the highest upside in terms of potential winnings as you need to wait on events that will happen in the future, such as who will win the Stanley Cup or which player will win MVP.
Parlays
Combine multiple bets into one for higher payouts. A parlay links two or more bets together, and all of them must win for the ticket to cash.
This could be with picks from different games or multiple bets from the same game. The risk is the highest with these bets, but the reward multiplies with each added leg.
More Hockey: Top NHL Prospect Expected to Join Michigan Wolverines Next Season
Live Betting (In-Game Wagering)
Betting in real-time as the game unfolds. Odds adjust based on what’s happening on the ice, and you can place bets throughout the game.
For example, if you believe the Panthers are dominating early on in a game you can take them before they score and cash in before they score. This fast-paced option is ideal for experienced bettors who understand game flow and momentum.