NHL betting odds
Moneylines, puck lines, totals and goalie-driven value.
Hockey is a low-scoring, moneyline-driven sport where goaltending and special teams swing outcomes. The standard 1.5-goal puck line creates real value on both sides, and goalie confirmations near puck drop are some of the most actionable information in betting.
Because games are tight and often decided late, the moneyline and the puck line frequently diverge in interesting ways. Disciplined hockey bettors lean on starting-goalie news and line shopping to find the edge.
How to bet on NHL
The markets you will see most often, and what each one asks you to predict.
- Moneyline
- A straight bet on the winner — the headline hockey market given how often games are decided by one goal.
- Puck line
- A fixed 1.5-goal spread. Favorites at -1.5 must win by two; underdogs at +1.5 cover by losing by one or winning.
- Total (over/under)
- Combined goals over or under the number, usually around 5.5 or 6 — heavily influenced by the starting goalies.
- Player props
- Shots on goal, points, and goalscorer markets that hinge on line combinations and ice time.
- Futures
- Stanley Cup, conference, division, and season-long award markets.
Best sportsbooks for NHL betting
Our top books for NHL, ranked on market depth, pricing, and features that matter for this sport. The best price still moves between books, so compare before you bet.
DraftKings
A deep NHL board with strong puck-line and props coverage, plus frequent hockey boosts.
- DraftKings 3.0
A deep NHL board with strong puck-line and props coverage, plus frequent hockey boosts.
- FanDuel 3.4
Sharp moneyline pricing and reliable live betting through every period, with a clean app.
- BetMGM 3.0
Competitive totals and puck-line markets, with solid coverage of the nightly slate.
- BetRivers 3.0
Fair everyday hockey pricing and an ongoing loyalty program that rewards regular play.
NHL odds board
Representative NHL fixtures showing the kind of lines you will compare. Sample numbers to show the experience — shop live odds across books before betting.
Colorado Avalanche @ Vegas Golden Knights
Wed, Oct 7, 10:00 PM ET
Colorado Avalanche
-115
Vegas Golden Knights
-105
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Boston Bruins
Thu, Oct 8, 7:00 PM ET
Toronto Maple Leafs
+125
Boston Bruins
-148
Edmonton Oilers @ New York Rangers
Fri, Oct 9, 7:30 PM ET
Edmonton Oilers
+110
New York Rangers
-130
Upcoming NHL games
Live schedule and scores, refreshed from our data pipeline.
NHL betting tips
- Confirm the starting goalies before betting — a backup in net can swing both the moneyline and the total.
- The puck line offers value on heavy favorites, but one-goal games make +1.5 underdogs perennially live.
- Watch for tired teams on the second night of a back-to-back, especially on the road.
- Special teams matter: a strong power play against a weak penalty kill nudges the total upward.
- Empty-net goals inflate totals and puck-line results late — factor them into close games.
NHL betting FAQ
- What is the puck line in NHL betting?
- The puck line is hockey’s standard 1.5-goal spread. Favorites at -1.5 must win by two or more, while underdogs at +1.5 cover by losing by a single goal or winning outright.
- How important are goalies for NHL bets?
- Critical. The starting goalie is the single biggest factor in a hockey line, so always confirm the confirmed starter before betting — a backup start can move the moneyline and the total significantly.
- Is the moneyline or puck line better in hockey?
- It depends on the matchup. One-goal games are common, so the moneyline is safer on favorites while +1.5 on underdogs is consistently live. The puck line pays more on favorites but requires a two-goal margin.
Keep reading
Odds shown are representative fixtures for demonstration, not live prices, and book rankings are editorial — based on market coverage, pricing, and features, not paid placement. OddsGrab may earn a commission from links on this page, at no cost to you, which never affects our rankings. Availability varies by jurisdiction. Please gamble responsibly. 21+ where applicable.