For Canadian bettors, nothing beats betting on the country’s most popular sport: ice hockey. Bettors who are just getting started with online sports betting will find that there are multiple ways to bet on an NHL game. 

While the moneyline is the easiest way to bet on the outcome of the game, the puck line adds another dimension to betting on NHL games. If you have ever wondered what is the puck line in sports betting, the simplest answer is that it is hockey’s version of the point spread that is often used in sports like basketball or American football. 

Instead of betting on one of the teams to win outright, the puck line adds a goal handicap to either side. This adds another layer of complexity, and with it comes increased odds. 

Understanding how the puck line works can help bettors make more informed decisions when looking at NHL odds at Canadian sportsbooks. 

What Is Puck Line in Sports Betting?

The standard puck line for NHL hockey games is -1.5 goals for the favourite and +1.5 goals for the underdog. 

But what exactly do those posted odds mean when it comes to betting the puck line? 

The -1.5 means that the listed favourite must win the game by at least two goals. Meanwhile, the underdog listed at +1.5 must lose by one goal or win the game outright. Any of these outcomes would mean that the team covers the puck line. 

Let’s use a real-life example:

Imagine a matchup between the NHL’s two iconic Canadian teams: the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. 

Here is the current betting line for this game:

  • Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5
  • Montreal Canadiens +1.5

If you want to bet Toronto -1.5, the Maple Leafs need to win by two or more goals.

If you bet Montreal +1.5, your wager wins if the Canadiens win outright or lose by exactly one goal.

The 1.5-goal spread is commonly used because hockey games tend to have relatively low scores compared with sports such as basketball and football. If the matchup is deemed to be particularly lopsided, sportsbooks can provide puck lines of -2.5 or even higher at -3.5. 

Puck Line vs. Moneyline

The biggest difference between the puck line and moneyline is what you need to happen in the game for your bet to win.

With a moneyline bet, you simply need the team you selected to win the game. The margin of victory does not matter, nor does the method. NHL moneyline wins can include overtime or shootout victories. 

With a puck line bet, the margin does matter. In fact, it’s the only thing that matters. 

Suppose the Maple Leafs are heavy favourites at -250 on the moneyline, while their puck line is -1.5 at +110. Both bets could have the same outcome, but the puck line bet will pay out more than double the moneyline bet. 

A $100 moneyline bet would require Toronto to win the game, but the potential profit would be relatively small, especially at the inflated -250 odds. Taking Toronto -1.5 on the puck line could offer a larger payout, but the team would have to win by at least two goals. Given how low-scoring hockey games can be, it is difficult to predict the puck line outcomes. 

What Are Alternate Puck Lines?

Some Canadian sportsbooks also offer alternate puck lines if they feel strongly about a specific game. 

For example, instead of the typical odds of -1.5, you may find an alternate puck line of -2.5. This would require the favourite to win the game by at least three goals. Although this is a much rarer outcome, the payout odds increase dramatically over a puck line bet on a line of -1.5. 

Alternate puck lines apply to the underdogs as well. Betting a +2.5 means the underdog needs to keep the game within two goals or win the game outright. The more you move away from the listed puck line odds for the underdog, the lower the betting odds ontario will be. 

Is the Puck Line Worth Betting?

Yes, the increased odds can provide a substantially larger payout if the puck line bet wins. For a heavy favourite, it might make more sense to bet the puck line, rather than the low odds of a moneyline bet. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a hockey game ends in a one-goal win on the puck line?

If you bet on the favourite at -1.5 and it wins by exactly one goal, the bet loses. However, if you bet on the underdog at +1.5, a one-goal loss is enough for the wager to win.

Is the puck line the same as a point spread?

The puck line is essentially hockey’s version of a point spread. The main difference is that hockey sportsbooks typically use a 1.5-goal spread, with the favourite at -1.5 and the underdog at +1.5.

Is it better to bet the puck line or moneyline?

It depends on your expectations for the game. The moneyline only requires your team to win, while the puck line requires the favourite to win by at least two goals. Puck line bets can offer better odds on favourites, while taking an underdog at +1.5 provides some protection against a one-goal defeat.