Puck line betting is simply betting the point spread, but on NHL games. Hockey is typically a moneyline sport.
Bettors prefer to wager on the moneyline when betting on the NHL because of the low scoring in hockey games.
Oddsmakers will establish the puck line at 1.5. A puck line of -1.5 is given for the favorite and +1.5 for the underdog. The juice varies on each side depending upon how even (or uneven) the teams are.
Why Bet the Puck Line?
Most bettors will choose moneyline bets in hockey, but there are times when betting the puck line makes better sense.
Bettors can take a favorite at an increased payout or increase the likelihood of winning their underdog bet. A look at some examples can help determine when to bet the puck line.
Penguins -114 -1.5 (+185)
Flyers +104 +1.5 (-225)
In the above example, the Penguins are favored to win over the Flyers. A $114 moneyline bet is needed to win $100 on Pittsburgh if they win, regardless of the score. On the other side of the bet, a wager of $100 would win $104.
The prices here offer pretty much the same return. Here’s an instance where betting the puck line on the Penguins makes more sense. Pittsburgh is favored and they will need to win by two or more goals. The payout though is $185 on a $100 wager.
The other case for choosing the puck line over the moneyline comes in the case of a heavy favorite.
New York Islanders +200 +1.5 (-115)
Tampa Bay Lightning -240 -1.5 (-105)
In this example, we see that Tampa Bay is a huge favorite over the Islanders. A bettor would have to wager $240 to win $100 on the Lightning. Betting the puck line however, the bettor lays $105 to win $100. Tampa Bay must win by two but they are a heavy favorite.
This is another great example of when an NHL bettor should lean toward the puck line instead of the moneyline.
Puck Line Tips & Strategies
Making sound betting decisions typically comes down to doing the research. When looking at NHL bets, it pays to check the lineups and injury report. Matchups are crucial, especially the goalie matchups. A hot goaltender (or a cold one) can go a long way in helping to make a solid NHL wager.
One of the easiest and most effective puck line strategies is to simply shop for the best price. If you find the Penguins at -1.5 (+185) at one sportsbook, but they are -1.5 (+190) at another; you can earn yourself an extra $5. Shopping for the best odds on puck lines can add to your winnings.
With the rise of live betting, NHL bettors can now take advantage of live puck lines. One strategy is to look for teams with a one- or two-goal lead with anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes left in a game. Teams that are behind typically pull their goalies late in games where they trail by one or two.
Teams that are ahead often get the opportunity to score an empty net goal and cover live -1.5 or -2.5 puck lines.
Read our NHL player props betting guide next.
