As for the Red Wings, they would need to win the game by two goals or more to cover their line. In this scenario, oddsmakers are giving the Leafs padding of 1.5 goals because Toronto would have to win the game outright or not lose by more than a goal.
How to Read Puckline OddsĪt your sports betting site of choice, puckline odds would look something like this: However, this is generally not the case as NHL teams have averaged 2.95 goals per game over the last five years. The most common outcome is a 3-2 final. The most goals scored by a National Hockey League team is 16, when the Montreal Canadiens put on a clinic over the Quebec Bulldogs in March of 1920.
The reason this type of NHL bet only uses 1.5 goals is because hockey games are not high-scoring affairs. The line is adjusted accordingly based on how strong the fave is and how weak the dog is. For the NHL, oddsmakers give the underdog an advantage of 1.5 goals while disadvantaging the favorite by 1.5 goals. The puckline is hockey’s version of the point spread and similar to baseball’s runline. One of these wagering options is the very popular puckline.
The NHL is rife with more bet types than you can shake a stick at – a hockey stick, obviously. Video Poker Guide: Play the Best Online Video Poker Gamesįrom the preseason to the summer months, where teams stock up on new players and rid their rosters of bad fits, you have different betting options available.
