How to Bet On the NHL – Getting Started

As the legal sports gambling landscape continues to expand, so does NHL betting. The competition is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports for wagering on in Pennsylvania sports betting, especially considering it’s one of the major sports in the US and is usually on when other sports, such as the NFL, are off-season. NHL betting on itself is also quite fun as it provides many intrigues, and there are lots of betting options.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to get started in NHL betting.

Understanding NHL Betting Markets & Odds

If you are new to sports betting, the various terms used for the betting options and the odds can be a bit confusing. The first thing you need to do is make sure you understand the main ones, as failure to do so can lead to uninformed decisions.

Below is a breakdown to help you get started with the most popular betting markets.

• Moneyline Betting: This type of bet simply involves choosing who you think will win the match. The odds are usually expressed as a negative for the favorite and a positive for the underdog. For example, in one game, you can have odds of -110 for the Pittsburgh Penguins and + 130 for the San Jose Sharks. This means that you need to wager $110 to win $100 if you’ve gone with the Penguins and $100 to win $130 if you choose the Sharks and they win.
• Puck Line Betting: Puck line betting involves giving the favorite team a negative handicap of 1.5 goals and the underdog a similar positive advantage. This means that if you’ve bet on the favorite, they will need to win by 2 more goals for you to win your bet. In the case of the underdog, they can win or lose by 1 goal for you to win the bet.
• Over/Under Betting (Total Goals): This is the other most common type of bet, and it involves betting on the total number of goals you think the game will produce (both teams). The bookie will give you a line, such as 6.5 goals, which you can then bet Under or Over.

These are the basic starting points, and you’ll be good to go once you understand them. However, you’ll also come across prop bets, period bets, and futures. 

Choosing a Reputable Sportsbook

One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make when it comes to sports betting is the sportsbook you use. This is because the sportsbook will generally influence your experience, from how easy it is to bet to the odds you get and the speed of payouts. While you may see lots of adverts with joining bonuses, ensure that you analyze the sportsbook carefully using factors such as licensing and regulation, reputation, betting markets, competitive odds, and user interface.

This is crucial as there are many betting sites, some licensed locally and others internationally. To be on the safe side, consider the ones licensed locally first. Different states permit and regulate sports gambling, and locally licensed sportsbooks adhere to the highest standards. They also offer many NHL betting markets as they focus on the local market.

Doing Your Research

When you are up to speed with the sportsbook and odds, the most important part of betting shifts to the research you do. This is the bedrock of success in sports and NHL betting, and you should ensure that you do thorough research before every game. Start by analyzing the team and players by looking at recent performances, the season records so far, performance in home and away games, injuries, and the lineup.

From there, you can consider things such as the head-to-head match-up history and the tactical changes that will be made based on the opposition. You can look at advanced stats such as Corsi, Fenwick, PDO, and expected goals (xG) for even better insights. Lastly, ensure you stay updated with the latest team news as this can give you a competitive edge.