If you are familiar with sports betting, you probably know how point spread betting works. Bettors can find odds for spread bets at any sportsbook at any given time and place them on various sports, including ice hockey. When it comes to hockey betting and the spread bet, there’s a unique betting type called Puck Line.
Essentially, the spread in hockey is called a Puck Line, and while it may seem identical at first, it contains a few crucial differences I’d be more than happy to reveal.
What is a Puck Line Bet?
Just like the spread in other sports, the Puck Line in ice hockey shows the favorite and the underdog. However, unlike the spread, which adjusts according to the discrepancy in power between the two teams, the puck lines always have the same two values, and the odds are what is getting adjusted by the oddsmakers.
When looking at the puck line for any ice hockey game, you will notice that the line for the favorite is always -1.5 goals, while the line for the underdog stays at +1.5 goals no matter what.
Let me paint the picture with a quick example.
If you place a puck line bet on the Edmonton Oilers, they will have to win by at least two goals difference for you to win the bet.
On the other hand, if you decide to go with the underdog and bet on the Dallas Stars, Miro Heiskanen and the boys from Texas must either win the game or lose by no more than one goal for you to be able to cash your bet.
Puck Line vs. Moneyline
Although ice hockey is a sport where the moneyline is king, in many games, moneyline bets can provide low to no value. For example, the odds may be too low if one team is a clear favorite, and it may not be worth betting on them. So, instead of betting a fortune on a clear favorite or taking a shot in the dark on a +300 underdog, you can explore the puck lines and get more bang for your buck. This way, you can find more balance between the teams and a far better value.
While winning a moneyline bet on that +300 underdog might seem like a snowball’s chance in hell, the +1.5 goals puck line bet might seem possible.
Alternate Puck Lines
Although ice hockey games are not usually high-scoring affairs, the game is very dynamic, so if you pair it with a good-old puck line bet, you will have all the ingredients for a fun night in front of the TV. Yet, for some people, the puck line simply does not scratch their betting itch.
Due to this, oddsmakers let you take the puck line to the next level and place bets on the alternate puck lines. The alternate puck line increases the spread by one goal, creating a scenario in which the favorite has to win by at least three goals now, and the underdog must not lose by more than two.
The alternate puck line may be a good bet if one team is a heavy favorite. The odds are better when compared to the standard puck line, but the risk is higher as well. If you are still trying to get to grips with all the betting terminology, our betting terms guide is a great place to start.
Period Puck Lines
Players can also place puck line bets on specific periods during a hockey game, which are referred to as period puck lines. Unlike the typical -1.5/+1.5 puck line for a full game, period puck lines usually use a -0.5/+0.5 spread. Betting on the favorite means you are hoping they outscore their opponents in that particular period, while if you bet on the underdog you will win if they either win the period or it ends in a tie.
Reverse Puck Lines
Reverse puck lines in sports betting give you an alternative betting option where the favorite receives a +1.5 point goal advantage, while the underdog is priced at -1.5. This type of wager is appealing to bettors who sense that the underdog has a real opportunity to win by two or more goals, as it will provide a much larger payout compared to if you were just to bet them to win on the moneyline.
Puck Line Betting Tips
Puck Line betting is tough to get right, and it requires a lot of analysis and thought to perfect. Here are some tips to help you get to grips with puck line betting:
Look at odds carefully: The puck line is always set at 1.5 and the odds will change depending on the difference in ability and quality between the two teams. You will notice similar odds for NBA and NFL spread betting and with hockey betting you must consider which games provide the best value when making a puck line bet.
Consider empty net goals: If you are a soccer fan, you will be familiar with teams conceding a late goal if they are losing after committing a lot of men forward and getting caught on the counter attack. Something similar occurs in hockey. It is common for teams chasing a game to take their goalie out for another attacker to give them more chance of scoring. However, that obviously also leaves them more vulnerable and the other team could easily run up the goals in the latter stages.
Think about overtime: There are no ties in hockey. If the scores are level at the end of regulation, the game will go into an extended period known as overtime. However, this period is irrelevant with two-way puck line betting because if a team scores in overtime, the game is over. It is impossible for a team to cover the spread, as the puck line bet has already been decided if the game ends in a tie.
Why should you bet on the Puck Line?
Because most of the hockey betting activity is based around the moneyline, casual or new bettors might not fancy laying bigger prices with the best teams in the league. Instead of betting on a strong favorite priced at -200 or -250, it might be more appealing to bet -1.5 goals at a more attractive price point. Alternatively, it can be difficult, no matter if you have a hunch, to actually go with a +200 underdog that is expected to lose most of the time. However, it is far easier to bet on them if they get a +1.5 goal head start, and that is a key reason why puck line betting is so popular.
