NHL Lines

NHL Hockey Lines Explained

There are a few NHL betting lines you can bet on in NHL hockey, the two most popular being Total Goals Scored and Betting the Point Line. Here's how they each work:

Total Goals Scored

The Total Goals Scored is probably the oldest of NHL betting lines and, as its name suggests, is centered around the total number of goals scored in a game. For instance, if you see the following NHL betting line as laid by a reputable oddsmaker or online sportsbook, here's how you decipher it.

Over 5.5 goals -180
Under 5.5 goals +210

There are two ways you can bet using the above example.

The first is the 'over' bet, where you wager that the combined number of goals scored by both teams in a game will be higher than or 'over' 6. The -180 on the over bet means that if you bet $18, you'll win back a total of $28 ($18 stake + $10 profit) (-180). (The reason oddsmakers and sportsbooks use .5 in NHL Betting lines is to avoid ties, as there is no such thing as half a point in the game of ice hockey itself).

The second bet from the above example is the 'under' bet. Like the over bet, you are wagering on the combined number of goals you think will be scored by both teams in a game, in this case equal to or 'under' 5. So if you bet $10 on this bet and the end scoreline turns out to be 4, you'll win a total of $31, $10 bet + $21 profit (+210). If it turns out to be 6 combined goals, you lose the bet.

Betting the Point Line

Also known as Money Lines or Puck Lines bets, these days many NHL betting fans prefer the Betting the Point Line bet over the traditional over/under bet. Here's what a point Line bet looks like:

Philadelphia Flyers +1.5, 1.90
Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5, 1.90

In this example, as the home team, the Canadians (Maple Leafs) have a 1.5 goal advantage over the Flyers, which means if you bet on Philadelphia and they lose by a single goal, you still win. Your $10 bet would return $19 (1.90). However, if the Flyers lose by two goals or more, you lose the bet. Similarly, if you bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs, they must win by two or more goals for you to win the bet.

Check out the NHL betting lines available in the fine online sportsbooks and betting sites featured here on Maple Gambling.