If you’re new to betting on hockey and trying to figure out why the numbers on your screen look more like a math test than a fun way to lose your money, you’re not alone. NHL betting odds can be confusing at first glance, but once you crack the code, it opens up a whole new way to enjoy the game—while also stressing out over every face-off, penalty, and missed shot.

Here’s your simple, no-nonsense guide to understanding NHL betting odds and getting started with hockey wagering. It’s easier than you think—although making winning bets is another story altogether.

Moneyline Betting: Picking a Winner (Mostly)

The most common type of NHL bet is the moneyline. It’s the simplest: you’re just betting on which team will win the game. The tricky part comes when you see those odd numbers with a plus (+) or minus (–) sign next to each team.

Let’s break it down with an example:

• Toronto Maple Leafs: -150

• Montreal Canadiens: +130

In this case, Toronto is the favorite (because they always are in regular season hype). The negative sign (-150) means you’d need to bet $150 to win $100. Simple enough, right? If they win, you profit $100. If they lose, you’ll regret trusting the Leafs (again).

Meanwhile, Montreal is the underdog at +130. This means if you bet $100 and they pull off the upset, you win $130. Not a bad payoff for taking a chance on a team that might shock everyone—or not, depending on the season.

Puck Line Betting: Spread Your Stress

The NHL’s version of a point spread is called the puck line. In most cases, the puck line is set at -1.5 for the favorite and +1.5 for the underdog. That half-point ensures there’s no tie in betting terms. Here’s an example:

• Boston Bruins -1.5 (+140)

• New York Rangers +1.5 (-160)

In this case, if you bet on Boston, they need to win by at least 2 goals for you to win the bet. If they only win by 1, you lose, and you’re left cursing their defense. On the other hand, betting on New York means they either have to win outright or lose by just one goal. The minus sign (-160) means you’d have to bet $160 to win $100.

Betting on the puck line adds an extra layer of difficulty, but it can make even blowout games exciting (or nerve-wracking) right up to the final buzzer.

Over/Under: Will There Be Goals or Crickets?

The over/under (or total) is another popular bet, and it’s pretty straightforward. You’re betting on how many total goals will be scored in the game—by both teams combined. Oddsmakers set a number, and you decide whether the actual total will be over or under that number.

For example:

• Over 5.5 goals (-110)

• Under 5.5 goals (-110)

In this case, if you bet on the over, you’re hoping for at least 6 goals total in the game. If you go with the under, you need 5 or fewer goals to be scored. Both bets have the same odds (-110), meaning you’d bet $110 to win $100.

Over/under bets are a great way to stay invested in the game, even if you don’t care who wins. You’re just rooting for lots of goals—or hoping for a goalie duel where no one can score.

Futures Bets: Long-Term Torture

If you’ve got the patience of a saint (or are really good at predicting the future), you might want to try futures bets. These bets involve wagering on something that won’t be decided for months, like which team will win the Stanley Cup, or which player will take home the MVP award.

For example:

• Colorado Avalanche to win Stanley Cup +600

• Connor McDavid to win Hart Trophy +200

In these cases, a $100 bet on Colorado would net you $600 if they win it all, while betting on McDavid to win the MVP would earn you $200. Futures bets are risky, because so much can happen over the course of a season, but if you get it right, the payouts can be huge.

Prop Bets: The Weird and Wonderful

Proposition bets (or prop bets) are where things get interesting. These are bets on specific events within a game, such as:

• Will Player X score a goal?

• Which team will score first?

• How many penalty minutes will be handed out?

Prop bets let you focus on individual players or moments rather than the final outcome. They’re often more fun, but also riskier, as they can hinge on the tiniest details. If you love making ridiculous predictions and want to prove your hockey knowledge, props are the way to go.

Live Betting: Instant Regret

Live betting allows you to place bets while the game is happening. As the action unfolds, odds constantly shift based on what’s happening on the ice. You can bet on things like which team will score the next goal, who will win the next period, or if the game will go to overtime.

It’s fast-paced and can make watching the game even more thrilling (or stressful). But beware: live betting is the quickest way to turn excitement into regret if things don’t go your way.

Understanding Betting Odds Formats

Odds come in different formats, and while we’ve used American odds so far (the plus/minus system), you might also see decimal odds or fractional odds, especially on international sportsbooks.

• Decimal odds: Simply multiply your stake by the odds to calculate your total payout. For example, odds of 2.50 mean a $100 bet would return $250.

• Fractional odds: These are most common in the UK. Odds of 5/1 mean you’d win $5 for every $1 you bet.

If you’re betting with a U.S.-based sportsbook, American odds are the standard, but it’s useful to know the other formats if you’re exploring international options.

Wrapping It Up: Bet Smarter, Not Harder

Now that you understand the basics of NHL betting odds, you’re ready to dive into the world of hockey wagering. But remember: it’s all about fun (and maybe a little bit of stress). Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose, and keep in mind that even the most educated predictions can fall apart thanks to a lucky bounce or a blown call.

So, go ahead, pick a team, place a bet, and yell at your TV like never before. Just don’t expect the refs to help you out—whether you win or lose, they’re probably going to make it worse.