For many people in the northern hemisphere, betting on ice hockey is nearly as old as the sports, which was created in the late 1800s when Canadians decided to continue playing a sport using a stick to hit a ball, regardless of the weather – creating the game we know today.
Using sticks, a puck, skates, and two nets, ice hockey would eventually become the national sport of Canada, and in 1917, the National Hockey League (NHL) was formed.
The NHL has always been the highest level of hockey competition in the world and in the United States, and one of the four most popular professional sports leagues alongside the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
If you want to join the hundred millions of people who wager on hockey annually, then online betting is the way to go.
The plus (+) implies the underdog when player place a bet on a given hockey game while the minus (-) on the electronic betting display and betting sheets indicates the favorite
For example, Pittsburgh is the home team, which means they are always listed on the bottom, unless otherwise specified. Pittsburgh gets a -150 favorite, which means for every $100 the gambler wants to win on Pittsburgh, he must lay $150. To win $10, he would bet $15 and will collect $25 if Pittsburgh wins. A wager on Detroit would win $130 for every $100 wagered or $13 for every $10. A $10 wager would return $23.
You can also wager on the point spread or “Puck Line”, Pittsburgh is a -1 1/2 goal favorite, which means for every $100 the player bets on Pittsburgh you will win $160, but Pittsburgh must win by 2 goals or more. A wager on Detroit, +1 1/2 goal, would win $100 for every $180 wagered or $10 for every $18 and Detroit must win the game or loss by less than a goal. A $18 wager would return $28.
The next number (5 ½) is the Total. This is the combined number of goals scored by both teams, including any overtime. To wager on the Over, the player will win $130 for every $100 wagered, $13 for $10 or any multiple thereof. To bet on the under, the player must lay $150 for every $100 he wishes to win, or $15 for every $10. No ties will occur with a half-point line.
In the event of a shootout, for wagering purposes, the winner is awarded one goal, which is considered in the determination of the winner and loser and counts in the game total.