Best Betting Sites » Betting School » My Effective Betting Strategy for Ice Hockey in 2024

My Effective Betting Strategy for Ice Hockey in 2024: How to on the NHL

Published: 1 month ago

I get this all the time: How do you bet on ice hockey? The million-dollar question has a simple answer, as betting on ice hockey is much like any other sport. The sport has some unique bet types, but the top ones are common.

First, if you’re a newbie, you need to sign up with a quality sportsbook. Look for one licensed and secure with competitive odds and solid payment methods. And don’t forget the bonuses — those sweet deals can really kickstart your ice hockey betting journey. I’m all for sportsbooks that roll out the red carpet with a killer welcome offer. You can check the banners on this page to see which ice hockey betting sites I recommend. Once you’ve set up your account, head over to the hockey section and start making your picks.

Table of Contents
  • Getting to know the different ice hockey bets
  • Top ice hockey competitions for betting
  • My pro pointers on how to bet on ice hockey and win
  • Pros and cons of ice hockey – Slapshots and slip-ups of the cool game
  • Conclusion – Skating to success with ice hockey bets
  • Betting on ice hockey strategy FAQs

Getting to know the different ice hockey bets

Some bettors want to jump straight into learning an expert strategy for betting on ice hockey from the get-go. However, skipping the basics is a rookie mistake. You must first learn the different bet types before staking. I’ve got the lowdown on all the key bets in this ice hockey betting guide. So, let’s break them down and get you in the know.

Side note: I’m a big fan of the New York Rangers in the NHL, and my best pal loves the Boston Bruins. So, I’ll be using both teams to explain the different bet types. What’s important is that you get the drift, right? Let’s bounce:

BetMGM
4.8/5
BetMGM Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now
DraftKings
4.8/5
DraftKings Review
Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets and 1 month of NFL+ Premium on us!
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now
FanDuel
4.7/5
FanDuel Review
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets + 3 Weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now
Moneylines

I’ll kick off by getting moneyline betting explained in simple words. This one’s simple, though. You just pick the team you think will win the game. For instance, if the New York Rangers are up against the Boston Bruins, and you believe the Rangers will come out on top, you place a moneyline bet on them. It’s as simple as that — no need to worry about scores, just who’s gonna win. In my opinion, this is the best option for newbies.

Puck lines

Another popular question I get from newbies is: what is handicap betting in ice hockey? My response is always to go with the puck lines. Indeed, puck lines are the same as spreads or handicaps in other sports like basketball or football. Only the name differs. An example is betting on the Rangers to win by at least 1.5 goals. So, if they beat the Bruins 4-2, you win your bet. But if the Rangers win by only 1 goal or lose, you’re out of luck. I always view puck lines as a way to level the ice field when one team has a giant upper hand.

Over/Under

Here’s my favorite bet type so far as ice hockey is in the discussion. With this option, you’re betting on the total number of goals scored in the game. Take, for instance, the total is set at 5.5. If you bet the over and the final score is 3-3, making it 6 goals, you win. But if it’s 2-2, with only 4 goals, it’s a lost bet. In a way, this is all about predicting whether the game will be a high-scoring one or a defensive showdown. If you needed over under bet explained in straightforward terms, you’ve got it now.

Period betting

From the name, you pretty much know what to expect here if you’re familiar with how ice hockey is played. All you’ve got to do is bet on who will win a specific period. In the last game between the Rangers and Bruins, I picked the Rangers to win the first period. My team scored more goals than their opponents, so I bagged the win. If the result were anything else, I would’ve lost.

Prop bets

Finally, I can’t skip props, which are bets on specific outcomes within the game. You can bet on the player to score the game’s first goal. Or maybe you want to pick how many saves a goalie will make. I always refer to props as betting on the little details that make the game enjoyable.

Top ice hockey competitions for betting

A solid strategy for betting on ice hockey is putting your money on the best teams. I’ve been doing this for a long time and can confirm that the big dogs win more often than not. To make things easy for you, I’ve researched the top ice hockey teams to bank on in various leagues around the globe. Here’s the scoop:

CompetitionCountryBest Teams
National Hockey League (NHL)USA/CanadaNew York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers
Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)Russia/Europe/AsiaCSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Cherepovets
IIHF World ChampionshipInternationalCanada, Russia, Finland
American Hockey LeagueUSA/CanadaMilwaukee Admirals, Grand Rapids Griffins, Rockford IceHogs

My pro pointers on how to bet on ice hockey and win

There’s a ton of techniques online for how to bet on ice hockey. But I’ll keep it real: no strategy is a 100% guarantee since anything can happen on the ice. So, I advise being more realistic and following my practical tips below:

  1. Don’t simply go with gut feelings. Instead, research team stats, recent performances, and head-to-head matchups to make better picks.
  2. Check injury reports before placing your bets. I always capitalize when there’s a missing star player, as it can turn a game on its head.
  3. Consider the location, as some teams often perform differently on home ice versus on the road.
  4. Go for live betting by all means. I recommend this since ice hockey is fast-paced, and live betting can offer value as you watch how the game unfolds.
  5. Have a betting budget and be religious with it. There’s nothing wrong with placing bigger bets, but don’t mistake it for chasing losses.

Pros and cons of ice hockey – Slapshots and slip-ups of the cool game

Before wrapping up this guide on how to bet on ice hockey, let’s take a quick glance at the upsides and downsides. I count the many yet familiar betting options as the main advantages. Plus, the sport is popular and global, so there’s never a shortage of action. But here’s the kicker: ice hockey can be a wild ride with highly volatile results. The games are always fast-paced, and you may find things a bit challenging if you can’t keep up with the speed. To summarize, here are the key pros and cons of ice hockey betting:

Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
  • Familiar betting options
  • Popular sports with many games
  • Multiple bet types
  • High volatility scores

Conclusion – Skating to success with ice hockey bets

Okay, now we’ve hit the final buzzer on my ice hockey betting guide. To master the art, stay sharp on the details I explained, especially the top bet types and pro pointers. Then, keep your head in the game, balance your bets, and don’t let those fast-paced moves throw you off. Nail these, and you’ll be heading towards expert status in ice hockey betting before you know it.

Discover the sportsbook bonuses we recommend

BetMGM
1.
Favicon
4.8/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
Go to BetMGM
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
DraftKings
2.
Favicon
4.8/5
Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets and 1 month of NFL+ Premium on us!
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: 5
Go to DraftKings
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel
3.
Favicon
4.7/5
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets + 3 Weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket + Boost or Bonus every day in the Summer
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
Go to FanDuel
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Caesars
4.
Favicon
4.7/5
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit
Copy
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet365
5.
Favicon
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Go to Bet365
Get bonus now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+

Betting on ice hockey strategy FAQs

🏒 What is 1.5 in ice hockey?

1.5 is the most common puck line bet in ice hockey. It simply means the favorite team must win by at least two goals, and the underdog can lose by no more than one goal for your bet to win.

🔎 What is the best strategy for betting on ice hockey?

The best strategy for betting on ice hockey is research and analysis. Studying past team and player performances is vital to making informed picks.

👀 Is it easy to bet on ice hockey?

Yes, it’s easy to bet on ice hockey. It’s a team sport, so you simply have to make your prediction and select matching market odds on an online sportsbook.

Read Also
Effective Betting Strategies for Golf 2024
Golf betting generates about $5 billion in wagers in the US alone. ...
Effective Betting Strategy for Darts in 2024: My Guide to Successful Darts Betting
As I look forward to the upcoming PDC events, I'm excited to ...
Stake.us Promo
Effective Betting Strategy for Cricket 2024: My Guide to Cricket Betting
When I first started learning how to bet on cricket, I soon ...
Effective Betting Strategy for Football 2024: How to Bet Successfully
With a new football season upon us, players and fans worldwide are ...
Effective Betting Strategies: How to Bet on Esports 2024
Placing bets on eSports is pretty easy. Knowing the basics is essential ...
Best Sportsbook Promo
BetMGM - Go to BetMGM Go to BetMGM
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
BetMGM
BetMGM
BetMGM Review
4.8/5
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.8/5
FanDuel
FanDuel
FanDuel Review
4.7/5
Caesars
Caesars
Caesars Review
4.7/5
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.6/5
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Bonus
Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets and 1 month of NFL+ Premium on us!
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Bonus
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets + 3 Weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
Caesars
Caesars Bonus
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Best Sportsbook Promo
BetMGM - Go to BetMGM Go to BetMGM
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site