Betting on the NHL is extremely popular throughout the season, but most gamblers get more involved when the competition reaches the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The leading sportsbooks offer a wide range of betting markets throughout the season, for every game. One of the most popular betting options available to gamblers is Puck Line betting. But what is this type of market, and what factors should bettors consider before placing a wager on this market?
What Is a Puck Line Bet?
Puck Line betting is straightforward for all bettors to understand. It’s similar to the spread or point spread markets in other sports. The puck line will see the favored team start at a disadvantage in terms of goals. For the favored selection to be a winner, they must overcome their opponent by a margin covering the Puck Line.
For example, a team may start with -1.5, meaning they will need to win by at least two goals for the wager to be a winner. Alternatively, bettors can wager on the underdog with a +1.5 puck line. Here, the underdog can return cash if they don’t lose by more than two goals.
Why Is Puck Line Betting So Popular?
The Puck Line betting market is exceptionally popular with bettors. It can offer more value to your selection. This is evident by studying the Moneyline odds for both teams. For example, a favorite on the Moneyline may be a clear -200 chance. However, the puck line can offer extra value, as the favored team to cover the puck line may be a +100 chance.
This allows bettors to win more on stakes around the best teams, but it comes with the added risk that they will need to cover the spread. It has proven to be a popular market, highlighted by the fact that the underdog loses 60% of the games in the NHL.
Alternative Puck Line Betting Markets
The Puck line is mainly used for the outcome of a game. There is, however, an alternative that entails betting on particular periods throughout the game instead. For example, you can place a wager on the puck line for the score at the end of the first period. A sportsbook may offer the favored team at -0.5, meaning the betting favorite must be at least one goal ahead to start the second period.
As well as betting on the puck line for the first period, you can get alternative lines for the match result. This allows you to wager on high puck lines, which include 2.5 and 3.5. The odds for these two markets are more significant, as the team will need to win by a higher number of goals to get returns on your wager. For example, if you bet on a team to win with a 2.5-puck line, they will need to win by three or more goals.
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