Zane | May 15, 2023 | Updated on: May 15th, 2023
NHL betting is a commonly practiced sports betting activity where individuals place bets on the outcome of National Hockey League (NHL) matches. The NHL is a professional ice hockey league that includes teams from both the United States and Canada. The league’s season typically takes place between October and June annually.
When it comes to NHL betting, there are several types of wagers to choose from, such as moneyline, puck line, over/under, and prop bets. While betting on NHL games can heighten the thrill of the sport, it’s important to keep in mind that all forms of gambling carry some degree of risk. Therefore, it’s essential to approach NHL betting in a responsible and informed manner, just like with any other form of betting.
Australian NHL Betting Online Casinos
NHL Betting Online
NHL betting online is a convenient and simple process, made even better by the abundance of options available at top online sportsbooks. With NHL betting being a popular activity, you can find a wide range of markets and competitive odds at the top online sportsbooks. Most betting sites offer the three main NHL markets, which include the money line, spread, and totals.
In addition, you can also choose from various NHL player prop bets, and NHL teams prop bets, such as betting on goal scorers, point scorers, team goals, period winners, or even the correct score. The online betting world for NHL is vast and diverse, and the Pickswise experts are available throughout the season to provide you with the best free insights and analysis for every game. They keep up with all the latest NHL news and provide a thorough analysis to help you make informed decisions.
NHL Betting Lines and Odds
Ice hockey betting sites offer various betting lines and odds, such as money lines, puck lines, totals, and futures bets. Understanding these lines and odds is crucial for any bettor seeking to place a wager on NHL games.
Moneylines
Moneylines are a common way of representing odds in sports betting. These odds are indicated by positive and negative figures, which tell the bettor how much they need to wager to win A$100 or how much they would win from a A$100 bet. Negative numbers indicate how much the bettor must bet to win A$100, while positive numbers indicate the number of winnings from a A$100 bet. For example, if the money line for a team is -140, the bettor must wager A$140 to win A$100, while a +160 money line means that a successful A$100 bet would yield A$160 in winnings. To calculate winnings for different bet amounts, one needs to scale the figure up or down proportionally and be aware of whether the number is positive or negative.
Puck Lines
Puck lines, akin to point spreads, are an option to enhance a money line bet. In this system, the favoured team must win by at least 1.5 goals, or the underdog must keep the score within the same range. To illustrate, if the money line for Washington is -140, a +1.5 puck line bet necessitates the Capitals to win by two or more goals (to prevent any possibility of a tie). Alternatively, if Toronto is the underdog at +160, a -1.5 puck line bet demands that the Maple Leafs restrict the goal difference within 1.5 goals of the Caps.
Totals
To bet the totals, one wagers on the total number of goals that will be scored in a single game by both teams combined. For example, if the Over/Under for the Washington-Toronto game is set at 6.0, the wager is placed on whether the total number of goals scored by both teams will exceed or fall below this number.
Futures Bets
Futures bets involve season-long goals for both teams and players. These can be bets on whether a team will win the Stanley Cup, the Eastern or Western Conference Championship, their division title, or enough games to simply make the playoffs. Bets can also be made on whether players will win a variety of annual awards, such as the Hart Memorial Trophy for MVP, Vezina Trophy awarded to the best goalie, Art Ross Trophy for top point scorer, Rocket Richard Trophy for a top goal scorer, and the Calder Memorial Trophy is given to the best rookie, or if they reach certain statistical milestones. The odds for these long-term goals shift nearly every day, so timing is everything when placing bets. These bets also make for long-term entertainment for casual fans, with the potential for a long-term payoff for early faith (or smarts).
Expert Tips for Betting on NHL Games
Hockey is a game that may seem simple at first glance, but it has many intricacies that can significantly affect the outcome of a game and your wagers. As a bettor, you need to be aware of several key factors that can impact NHL games and help you make more informed decisions. In this article, we’ll provide you with some expert tips for betting on NHL games, including:
Schedule
Timing and knowledge of where a team is in its schedule can play a big role in determining the best teams to bet on in a particular matchup. Teams often engage in extended road trips, and these can either help or hurt their chances, depending on how they characteristically react to these trips. For some teams, road trips are a slog, and they get brought down by travel across time zones.
Rivalries
The NHL’s ‘Original Six’ rivalries refer to the six teams that made up the league between 1942 and 1967. The Bruins, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs have particularly intense rivalries that make betting on their matchups exciting. Additionally, regional and intrastate rivalries like the Battle for Ontario between the Leafs and Ottawa Senators, the New York Islanders vs. Rangers, Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings, and the Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers are also known for their heated competition.
In-Game Betting
Betting within the parameters of the three 20-minute periods can be an entertaining way to bet, reassess, and try another strategy. It is, therefore, beneficial to know whether a team excels in a particular period in terms of scoring or has a good record when leading or trailing after a specific point in the game.
Line Matchups
Understanding how a team’s lines match up against their opponents is crucial in hockey.Offensive lines involve three players, a centre and two wings, while defensive pairings involve the two defensemen on the ice accompanying them. Familiarity among linemates brings crucial chemistry throughout the season, as a line’s chemistry can make all the difference in a team’s season.
Special Teams
One unique statistical category to hockey that often provides distinct advantages is teams’ power plays, and penalty kill percentages. Mastery in either field plays a big factor in the ebb and flow of a game, as either scoring on a power play or coming up with a successful kill are often referred to as key momentum-shifting moments.
Final Thoughts
Several factors such as injuries and scheduling can significantly impact the results of NHL games, making it difficult to place bets confidently. However, by keeping in mind the aforementioned suggestions and performing comprehensive research, one can make informed decisions, potentially elevating their chances of winning.