Trevor Jones is an expert in iGaming with a passion for writing US sports, such as football and basketball, in particular. He is extremely knowledgeable about US gambling regulations and has previously contributed articles to Augusta Free Press, Tech Report, Basketball Insiders and Legal Sportsbooks. He is an avid sports and betting enthusiast and a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors, though follows all of the major sports leagues.
All posts by Trevor JonesPuck line betting is a type of wagering in ice hockey where a point spread is used to make the betting more interesting. In hockey puck line betting, a team must either win by a certain number of goals or keep the game close by losing by less than a certain number of goals. It is similar to the point spread in other sports, such as basketball and football.
The puck line uses plus/minus symbols to indicate the number of points a team has added or removed from their score. It is usually set at +/- 1.5 goals, meaning the favored team must win by at least two goals to cover the spread, while the underdog team can lose by one goal and still cover the spread.
Is the Puck Line the Same as the Spread?
Yes, the Puck Line in ice hockey is essentially the same thing as the point spread in other sports, such as basketball or football. In ice hockey, the Puck Line is a type of bet where a point spread is used to handicap the favorite team and give an advantage to the underdog team.
The Puck Line is usually set at 1.5 goals, which means that the favorite team must win by two or more goals for the bet to be a winning one, while the underdog team must either win the game outright or lose by one goal or less to cover the spread and win the bet. So, in essence, the Puck Line and the spread refer to the same type of bet in different sports.
How Does Puck Line Betting Work?
Puck Line betting is a type of point spread betting in ice hockey where a handicap is applied to the favorite team to level the playing field with the underdog team. The handicap is usually set at 1.5 goals, meaning that the favorite team must win by at least two goals to cover the spread and win the bet, while the underdog team must either win the game outright or lose by one goal or less to cover the spread and win the bet.
Here is an example to help illustrate how Puck Line betting works at the best NHL betting apps and sites: Let’s say that the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing the Montreal Canadiens, and the Puck Line is set at Toronto -1.5 (+140) and Montreal +1.5 (-160). In this example, if you bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs, they must win by two or more goals for your bet to be a winning one. So, if the final score is Toronto 4, Montreal 2, and you bet on Toronto, you would win your bet.
On the other hand, if you bet on the Montreal Canadiens, they must either win the game outright or lose by one goal or less for your bet to be a winning one. So, if the final score is Toronto 3, Montreal 2, and you bet on Montreal, you would win your bet.
In this example, the odds for the Toronto Maple Leafs are +140, which means that if you bet $100 on Toronto and they win by two or more goals, you would win $140 in profit plus your initial stake of $100 back. The odds for the Montreal Canadiens are -160, which means that if you bet $160 on Montreal and they win outright or lose by one goal or less, you would win $100 in profit plus your initial stake of $160 back.
Difference Between 2-Way and 3-Way Puck Line Bets
The main difference between 2-way and 3-way Puck Line bets in ice hockey is the inclusion or exclusion of the possibility of a tie or a draw in the final outcome of the game.
A 2-way Puck Line bet is simply a bet on either team to cover the point spread, which is usually set at 1.5 goals. In a 2-way Puck Line bet, the possibility of a tie or a draw is not considered, and the bettor simply chooses either the favorite team or the underdog team to win by two or more goals or to lose by one goal or less. It’s important to note that 2-way puck lines can result in your bet being a push.
A 3-way Puck Line bet, on the other hand, includes the possibility of a tie or a draw as a potential outcome of the game. In a 3-way Puck Line bet, the bettor has three options to choose from: betting on the favorite team to win by two or more goals, betting on the underdog team to win outright or lose by one goal, or betting on the game to end in a tie.
The odds for a 3-way Puck Line bet are usually different from a 2-way Puck Line bet, with the odds for the tie option being the longest. This is because ties are less common in ice hockey compared to other sports like soccer, and the possibility of a tie increases the unpredictability of the final outcome.
Does the Puck Line Include Overtime?
Yes, the Puck Line in ice hockey includes overtime. If a game goes into overtime, the score at the end of regulation time is used to determine the outcome of the Puck Line bet. This means that if a team wins in overtime by one goal but they were favored by 1.5 goals on the Puck Line, the bet on that team would still be a losing one because they did not cover the spread.
For example, let’s say that the Puck Line for a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers is set at Boston -1.5 (+150) and New York +1.5 (-170). If the final score at the end of regulation time is Boston 3, New York 1, and you bet on Boston, your bet would be a winning one, as Boston won by more than 1.5 goals. However, if the final score at the end of regulation time is Boston 1, New York 1, and you bet on Boston, your bet would be a losing one, even if Boston scores the winning goal in overtime because they did not win by more than 1.5 goals.
Source: BetUS.com Should I Bet on the Puck Line or the Moneyline?
Whether to bet on the Puck Line or the Moneyline in ice hockey depends on your personal preferences and your assessment of the teams and their chances of winning the game by a certain margin of victory. Here are some factors to consider when deciding which type of bet to make:
Risk vs. Reward
The Puck Line usually offers higher payouts compared to the Moneyline, as it requires a team to win by a certain margin of victory. However, the Puck Line is also riskier than the Moneyline, as a team may not cover the spread, and you may lose your bet. The Moneyline, on the other hand, is a straight-up bet on the team to win the game without any margin of victory requirement and is generally considered less risky.
Team Strength
If one team is significantly stronger than the other, betting on the Puck Line may be a good option, as they may be more likely to win by a certain margin of victory. However, if the teams are evenly matched, betting on the Moneyline may be a better choice, as the game could go either way, and the margin of victory may not be significant.
Puck Line Betting Strategies
There are a number of different avenues that you can take with regard to puck line betting strategies. Let’s take a look at some of the key factors that can influence your strategies.
Look for Home Underdogs
Home-ice advantage can play a significant role in ice hockey, and underdogs playing at home may have a better chance of covering the puck line, especially if they are playing against a strong opponent. Home teams can draw energy and support from their fans and may play with more confidence and motivation. Look for games where the home team is an underdog on the puck line and consider betting on them to cover.
Analyze Team Form
Analyzing the form of both teams can be a good indicator of how the game may play out. Look at each team’s recent performances, their winning streaks or losing streaks, and their goal-scoring and goal-conceding records. A team that is on a hot streak may be more likely to cover the puck line, while a team that is struggling may have a harder time doing so.
Consider Injuries and Suspensions
Injuries and suspensions can have a significant impact on a team’s performance and their ability to cover the puck line. Look at the injury report before placing your bet, and consider how key players being absent from the game may affect the team’s overall performance.
Bet on Teams with Strong Defenses
Teams with strong defenses are less likely to concede many goals, which can increase their chances of covering the puck line. Look for teams that have a low goals-against average and a solid goaltender, as they may be more likely to win by a margin of two or more goals.
Shop Around for Odds
Just like with any other sports betting, shopping around for the best odds is always a good strategy. Different offshore sportsbooks may offer different puck line odds, so make sure to compare and choose the sportsbook that offers the best value for your bet.
What are the Alternative Markets to the Puck Line?
There are several alternative markets to the Puck Line that bettors can consider. Remember, you will always have multiple markets available to you with sportsbooks, so be sure to take them all into account and then apply them at the times you think they will be most impactful.
Money Line: This is a straightforward bet on which team will win the game outright, without any handicap or margin of victory involved.
Total Goals: This is a bet on the total number of goals that will be scored in the game. The bettor can wager on whether the total will be over or under a certain number set by the sportsbook.
Alternative Puck Line: This is similar to the regular Puck Line but with different handicap margins. For example, a sportsbook may offer an alternative Puck Line of -2.5 or +2.5 goals.
Period Betting: This is a bet on the outcome of a specific period within the game, such as the first period or the second period.
Prop Bets: These are bets on specific outcomes within the game, such as which player will score the first goal, which team will score first, or whether a certain player will score a goal in the game.
Futures: These are bets on the outcome of a future event, such as which team will win the Stanley Cup at the end of the season.
FAQs
Is the puck line a good bet?
What does 1.5 puck line mean?
How often does the puck line hit?
