Hockey odds can be pretty difficult for beginners to understand and often leave people wondering how do you read NHL hockey odds. Ice hockey odds come in a variety of formats, with the most common being the straight moneyline prediction. In the NHL, there are rarely extreme mismatches, allowing for reasonable odds for almost every moneyline on a nightly basis. However, consistent contenders like the Colorado Avalanche and the Florida Panthers are the favorites most nights, making the puck line a worthy prediction. The favorite in any given NHL game can be played with a -1.5 puck line. This means they would need to win by two or more goals for the prediction to be considered correct. Once you fully comprehend the available markets, only then you are ready to make your free NHL predictions on Sportzino.
How Do Odds Work in Hockey?
Hockey odds are one of the easiest to understand compared to the other major North American sports. When faced with the question of how to read NHL odds, there are a variety of markets to understand before you have hockey odds explained. The moneyline is the easiest, as it is the winner of the game. There are other odds also available, including spreads and totals. However, with the addition of overtime, there is always the chance for extra goals, including the shootout winner, to alter the outcome of your prediction.
The Most Popular Hockey Lines
Moneyline
The moneyline is the most popular choice for NHL predictions. This moneyline prediction is simply who will win the game, regardless of the time of victory or the winning margin. It doesn’t matter if a team wins 8-0 in regulation or ekes out a 4-3 shootout victory, whoever walks away with the win will see their moneyline prediction graded as correct. Unlike many other sports, such as the NFL or NBA, the NHL has plenty of parody on a nightly basis. It would not be surprising to see a bottom five team beat a top five team in a single game, which ensures the moneyline is usually a playable price. The moneyline is the most straightforward line for how to interpret hockey odds, as it is the overall winner in any game.
Puck Line
The puck line is the same as a spread in other sports and is used to bring down the odds of the favorite or increase the chance of an underdog upset. In hockey, the puck line is always -1.5 goals for the favorite. This means that the favorite would need to win by two or more goals for the prediction to be considered correct. If the favorite loses by any number or wins by a single goal, the puck line will not be covered. Alternatively, you can also make predictions on the +1.5 puck line for the underdog. In most cases, the underdog would have negative odds on the +1.5 puck line. However, the prediction would be correct if the underdog wins by any number of goals or loses by a single goal. This is especially important to consider as when games go to overtime, the sudden death nature ensures that the +1.5 puck line is safe as soon as regulation concludes.
Total Over/Under
The total Over/Under is the total goals for both teams combined at the end of the game, including overtime and shootouts. Most NHL games will have a total in the range of 5.5 goals to 7.5 goals, depending on the matchup. In the postseason, the totals usually sink even further and can go as low as 4.5 goals throughout the game. Making predictions on the total can be lucrative, and empty net goals must be considered. If a team loses by one or two goals in the game’s final minutes, they will pull their goalie to push for a tying goal. This allows the leading team to get an easy goal or two down the stretch, which can dramatically alter the total.
Alternative Puck Line
The alternate puck line is a very popular market to attack when making NHL hockey predictions. Instead of taking -1.5 goals with the favorite, you can modify the line and odds with a -2.5 puck line. This can be especially effective in the NHL, as empty net goals count towards this market. If the favorite leads by one or two goals, they can get an empty net goal to add to the lead and cover the puck line. Taking the -1.5 puck line with the underdog can offer a huge multiplier if they get a multi-goal victory. Knowing how to interpret NHL odds can be a crucial difference maker, and the alternate puck line is a market that cannot be ignored.
How to Read Ice Hockey Odds?
In order to read ice hockey odds, you will need a basic understanding of the odds in general. The most common odds are American and Decimal odds. American odds have the favorite with minus odds and the underdog with plus odds. For decimal odds, the odds available act as the multiplier for your prediction. With ice hockey specifically, examining all the available markets before making a prediction is crucial. The moneyline and puck lines can have vastly different odds, so make sure you find and select the specific market you are looking for.
Specific Ice Hockey Odds
Players
Player props are the most common props and odds outside the main lines. You can make predictions on various player props, including shots on goal, goals, points, blocked shots, and saves. These props can be a perfect addition to a same game parlay, and the over or under is available for most props.
NHL Grand Salami
The NHL Grand Salami is the number of goals scored across all games on a certain day. The sportsbook will set an over/under based on the total number of games and the expected goals for each matchup. Once that is set, you can predict whether all teams combined will reach that total on any given day.
Teams
A team prop is the total number of goals only one team will score. Whether they win or lose the game is irrelevant, as their specific goals are what the prediction is based on. This will usually be between 2.5 and 4.5 goals, and empty netters can go a long way in determining the outcome of your prediction.
5 Expert Tips How To Make (Should be Your)? Our Ice Hockey Predictions
- Keep An Eye on the Goaltenders
The goalie matchup can often be overlooked, as teams are deploying their backup goalie more frequently in the NHL. Before making your NHL predictions, check who the starting goaltenders are for each team. If a backup is matched against a starter, it may turn into a mismatch.
- Be Brave, Take the Puck Line
Taking the chalky odds with a moneyline prediction on the favorite can be tempting, but the puckline cannot be ignored. When people are learning how to read NHL odds, it is easy to skip over the puckline. The -1.5 line can be confusing, but it is a great way to turn minus odd favorites into plus odds when executed correctly.
- Predict Empty Net Goals
Empty net goals are common in the NHL and can drastically alter the outcome of a game. The puck line and totals take possible empty net goals into account, and certain teams and coaches are more aggressive about when to send in the extra skater.
- Trends Can Be Solid Indicators
Like many other sports, hot teams are more likely to stay hot, while losing teams are more likely to keep losing. This is just one of the many trends in the NHL, and NHL trends must be used when making NHL predictions. The sportsbooks can be reluctant to alter a price with a hot team, and it can be a great time to ride the momentum.
- Don’t Be Afraid of the Big Underdog
While making successful predictions on the favorites is good, an underdog prediction is even better. Whether it is the moneyline or an alternate puck line with a -1.5 line on the underdog, the long odds cannot be ignored. The +1.5 puck line can sometimes be the right call, but sometimes it is good to swing for the fences with a long odds prediction.
Hockey Odds FAQS
What Does the +1.5 Mean in Hockey?
The +1.5 line means that the team you are predicting to win can lose by a single goal, and the prediction would still be correct. This is common with underdogs in the NHL and is a great way to increase the likelihood of a successful prediction.
How Do You Interpret Hockey Odds?
In order to interpret hockey odds, you must first ensure you know how to read NHL odds. Once you have an accurate understanding, you can make high-quality ice hockey predictions. The odds are the same as in many sports, so once you learn them, you are set for life.
What Does Puck Line +2.5 Mean?
A +2.5 puck line means that a team has to stay within two goals in defeat or win by any number to cover the puck line. A massive underdog may have a +2.5 puck line, but this will be found with live NHL predictions more frequently.
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