Betting on the National Hockey League (NHL) can be an exciting and potentially profitable experience for sports bettors. However, like any form of gambling, it is essential to have a basic understanding of the different types of bets and strategies involved to increase your chances of success.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about betting on the NHL, including the types of bets you can place and some useful tips and strategies to help you make informed decisions.
Tips and strategies for betting on the NHL
These tips can help you have a great experience betting on the NHL:
Take advantage of promotions and bonuses
Many sportsbooks offer promotions and bonuses for new and existing customers. Take advantage of these offers to increase your potential winnings or mitigate your losses. However, always read the terms and conditions of any promotion or bonus to ensure that you understand the requirements and restrictions.
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Research teams and players
One of the most important things you can do when betting on the NHL is to research the teams and players involved. Look at their recent form, their head-to-head records, and any injuries or suspensions that may affect the game’s outcome. This information will help you make informed decisions about which team to bet on and which type of bet to place.
Bet responsibly
Betting on the NHL can be a fun and exciting experience, but it is important to bet responsibly. Set a budget for yourself and stick to it, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Remember that betting on sports is never a guaranteed win, and it is important to accept losses as part of the process.
Look for value
When placing bets on the NHL, always look for value. This means finding bets where the odds are in your favor and the potential payout is greater than the risk. Look for underdogs that have a good chance of winning or bets where the sportsbook has undervalued a team or player.
Use multiple sportsbooks
Using multiple sportsbooks can be a great way to get the best odds and increase your potential winnings. Each sportsbook sets their own odds, so by shopping around; you can find the best value for your bets. Additionally, some sportsbooks offer different types of bets or promotions, so using multiple sportsbooks can give you more options for your bets.
Pay attention to home-ice advantage
Home-ice advantage can play a significant role in NHL games. Teams often perform better at home than they are on the road. And the home team can benefit from last line changes and a supportive crowd. When betting on NHL games; consider the home-ice advantage and how it may influence the outcome of a game.
Follow betting trends and line movement
Betting trends and line movement can provide valuable insights into how other bettors place their bets and how sportsbooks adjust their odds. Look for betting trends that indicate which team is receiving more bets or which type of bet is more popular.
Additionally, pay attention to line movement, which is when the sportsbook adjusts their odds based on how the bets are coming in. Line movement can indicate which team or type of bet is receiving more action and may be a good indicator of where the value lies.
Types of NHL bets
Here are the most popular wagers you can make in hockey available at the best sportsbooks:
Moneyline bets
The moneyline is the simplest and most common type of bet in NHL betting. It involves betting on the team that you think will win the game outright. For example, if the New York Rangers are playing the Boston Bruins and the odds are -140 for the Rangers and +120 for the Bruins, you would need to bet $140 on the Rangers to win $100.
A $100 bet on the Bruins would win you $120. Moneyline bets are the easiest to understand and are a great way to start betting on the NHL.
Puck line bets
A puck line bet is similar to a point spread bet in other sports. You bet on a team to win by a certain margin of goals. For example, if the puck line for the New York Rangers is -1.5, they would need to win the game by at least two goals for you to win the bet.
On the other hand, if the puck line for the Boston Bruins is +1.5, they would need to lose the game by no more than one goal for you to win the bet. Puck line bets can be riskier than moneyline bets, but they also offer higher payouts.
Over–under bets
An over/under bet involves betting on the total number of goals scored in a game. The sportsbook sets a total, and you have to decide whether the final score will be over or under that total. For instance, if the total for a game between the Rangers and the Bruins is set at 5.5 goals, and you bet the over, you win if the final score is 4–2 or higher.
If you bet the under, you win if the final score is 3–2 or lower. Over–under bets can be a great way to add excitement to a game, and they can be especially useful if you’re unsure which team will win.
Prop bets
Proposition bets, or “props,” are bets that are based on specific events that may or may not happen during a game. For example, you could bet on the total number of shots a particular player will have.
Or you could predict whether a certain team will score the first goal of the game. Prop bets can be a fun way to bet on the NHL, and they offer a wide range of options for bettors.
Futures bets
Futures bets involve betting on a future outcome, such as which team will win the Stanley Cup or which player will win the Hart Memorial Trophy. Futures bets can be made before or during the season and can offer large payouts if you make the right prediction. However, they can also be risky since you won’t know the outcome of the bet until the end of the season.
