Hockey’s fast pace and comparatively low scoring shape its betting markets differently from higher-scoring sports like basketball or football.
Moneyline Is the Primary Bet
Because goals are relatively rare, the straight moneyline (picking the outright winner) is the most heavily bet NHL market, more so than in most other major sports.
The Puck Line
Hockey’s version of a point spread, almost always set at 1.5 goals, shifting the odds to balance the bet rather than adjusting the number itself — similar in structure to baseball’s run line.
Totals and Period Betting
Over/under bets on total combined goals are popular given hockey’s tighter scoring range, and period-by-period betting lets you wager on a single 20-minute period rather than the full game.
Player Props
Goal scorer and point props for individual players are widely offered, especially for star players in marquee matchups.
