NHL

NHL Betting Strategy

In creating our NHL betting strategy guide, we note that this is an under-bet sport. That means that many sports bettors pass up the opportunity to wager on professional hockey. Plus, handicappers spend less time developing the lines. All of this means that during the NHL season you can find some great deals. Some of which can lead to attractive arbitrage wagering opportunities. That is, if you know the sport and the league. As it is with any sport, before placing any bets, you need to be knowledgeable about the game, players, teams, coaches, organizations, and more.

The NHL Season 

During the regular season, there are a total of 1,312 games.  The season starts the second week of October and ends in late April. Over that course of time, each of the NHL's 32 teams plays 82 games. At some point, each team gets a bye-week. At the end of the 2021-2022 season, the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin. Sixteen teams make the postseason, which is comprised for four rounds with each round being a best-of-seven series. The maximum number of possible playoff games comes to 105 while the minimum totals 60. Of course, the total number of postseason games sits somewhere in between 60 and 105. In total, counting regular-season and the postseason, there are over 2,000 hockey games on which you can wager. 

NHL Betting Strategy – Keeping Your Balance

Our NHL betting strategy considers moneylines to be the lifeblood of sports betting. The puckline is second on our list, while totals rank third. Each week commit 10-to-20 percent of your bankroll to betting on anywhere from five to 15 games. As an example, if you have $100 with each unit at $2.00, you’d have 50 units. Twenty percent of 50 units comes to 10 units. If this is the case, you may want to either expand your bankroll or redefine a unit as $1.00 or $1.50. 

By adding more cash to your bank, let’s say going to $500 and still defining a unit as $2.00, your total units go from 50 to 250. Twenty percent of 250 comes to 50 units ($100). That offers you some flexibility when betting. Even if you elect to wager 10 percent of your bank that week, you’ll still have 25 units to work with. 

Spend more units on favorites and fewer on dogs. Try to play underdog moneylines, as they usually offer more value. Play favorites using either the moneyline or puckline; although the latter bet will offer a better payout. Also, hunt around for arbitrage opportunities. 

Hockey Betting Analysis Tips 

• Moneylines and pucklines are recommended.

• Moneylines on underdogs often offer good value.

• Solid goaltending translates into wins.

• Favorites win about 52% of the time.

• Dogs at home ATS are a good bet.

• Favorites avenging a recent loss are a good bet. 

• Totals are 50/50 and usually not worth the cash.

• Two-way players are golden.

• Top performing scoring lines can be difference makers.

• Physical players can control the game. 

NHL Betting – The Week 

In the NHL, there are about 50 games played per week. Our NHL betting strategy suggests that players on average bet eight to 10 games. Like other sports seasons, for the first few weeks hold back on your wagering. Once you have a good sense of teams, you can increase your weekly number of bets. As your bankroll increases, redefine your betting units. Stay steady, perform solid research and analysis, and don’t try to make up instantly for losses. Proper bankroll management is essential to your success. 

The Don’ts 

• Don’t bet the preseason. 

• Don’t bet on home ice. It’s usually not a factor. 

• Moneyline underdogs on the road are a bad wager.

• Don’t underestimate rested road favorites. They win.

• Never discount the favorite.

• Don’t play hockey parlays.

• Don’t bet on any exotics.

• Don’t bet at just one site. Find the best lines.

• Don’t presume teams in the Stanley Cup will perform as they did in the regular season.

• Don’t bet on late lines unless you have time to perform a solid analysis. 

NHL Betting Strategy 

Our NHL betting strategy is designed to help you make the most out of your betting experience. Good research and analysis, quality lines, and proper unit distribution will give you the best chance at making a profit. NHL favorites tend to do well, while there are certain instances when you’ll want to take the underdog. Sometimes they’re a good wager with the moneyline and other times ATS. As you should with all betting, track your wagers, wins, and losses so you have a visual on where you stand.

 Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Metropolitan Division

Western Conference

Central Division

Pacific Division