| games don't have to go full regulation play for wagers | | | | Wings. |
| to have action. Games must be played on the date | | | | NHL bettors may also bet on a total. A total is defined |
| and location scheduled for bettors to have action on | | | | as the total number of goals scored by both teams. |
| the game. Hockey games are played mostly at indoor | | | | Sports gamblers must choose whether the total |
| arenas so no worry about games being called during | | | | number of goals scored by both teams combined will |
| play due to in climate weather. Recently the NHL has | | | | be over or under the total posted at the sportsbook. |
| introduced the NHL Winter Classic. The NHL Winter | | | | For games that require a shootout, only one goal will |
| Classic is scheduled on New Year’s Day and | | | | be awarded to the winning team when determining the |
| played outdoors at large football or Major League | | | | final score regardless of how many goals are scored |
| Baseball stadiums. The NHL has a backup plan if the | | | | during the shootout round. For betting purposes the |
| game is postponed due to weather. Both teams have | | | | goal awarded to the winning side in the shootout will |
| an off day on January 2nd to accommodate the | | | | count in the official betting total between the combined |
| rescheduling of the game at the home teams indoor | | | | squads. |
| arena. If the game is rescheduled or does not go the | | | | Puck line betting is also offered by Las Vegas and |
| required 55 minutes, sports bettors will have no action | | | | online sportsbooks. Puck lines are very similar to run |
| on their wager and will be given a full refund. Hockey | | | | line betting on Major League Baseball. Oddsmakers will |
| games are played during the winter months in the NHL | | | | set odds based on a 1 ½ goal head start for the |
| and games can be cancelled if a team cannot travel | | | | money line underdog and a 1 ½ goal deficit to the |
| to the site of the game due to in climate weather. | | | | money line odds favorite. Often times the favorite role |
| When an NHL bettor makes a bet at a Las Vegas or | | | | and underdog roles are reversed for betting purposes |
| online sportsbook they are likely to be making a wager | | | | on puck lines. On puck lines oddsmakers will set a |
| on the money line or a total. A money line wager can | | | | favorite giving a 1 ½ goal head start to one side and |
| be a bit confusing at first to novice bettors. Here is an | | | | a 1 ½ goal deficit to the other squad. Money line |
| example how a sports bettor will find an NHL game | | | | odds will be attached for each betting side. Here is an |
| displayed at a Las Vegas or online sportsbook: | | | | example how sports bettors will see puck lines |
| Los Angeles Kings +130 | | | | displayed at Las Vegas or online sportsbooks. |
| Detroit Red Wings -150 | | | | Los Angeles Kings +1.5 (-200) |
| The game is displayed in the money line betting format. | | | | Detroit Red Wings —1.5 (+175) |
| The + money is the underdog and the — is the | | | | Those who would like the Los Angeles Kings will get a |
| favorite. If a sports bettor would like to bet on the | | | | 1-½ goal head start but now must bet $200 to win |
| Kings for every $100 they bet they will win $130 plus | | | | $100. A bet on the Detroit Red Wings will have Detroit |
| receive back their $100 wager for $230 total. If the | | | | playing with a 1-½ goal deficit and a $100 bet on the |
| sports bettor wants to bet on the Detroit Red Wings | | | | Red Wings will return $175. |
| they would have to bet $150 to win $100. The Kings | | | | In addition to wagers on the whole game, all third |
| must now win by 2 goals to win the bet and Detroit | | | | period wagers include results from overtime. Games |
| bettors will win if Detroit wins the game outright or | | | | are official for wagering purposes after 55 minutes of |
| loses the game by 1 goal. A loss by 2 goals by Detroit | | | | play. |
| will lose the puck line bet for those betting on the Red | | | | |