Online Ice Hockey Betting in Illinois

You know it's ice hockey season when the temperatures dive - but on-ice action gets hotter by the day! Each NHL team yearns for the Stanley Cup, yet in the end just one club will lift the coveted trophy. As the players skate and shoot, you can wager on ice hockey at BetRivers Illinois Sportsbook. It doesn't make any difference if you’re a hardcore fan or you simply watch the games for fun – you can add to the excitement by putting a bet on the result. Do you how to bet on hockey?

Hockey Betting Odds

In a moneyline bet (in other words, a bet where you pick the outright winner), the number preceded by a minus sign indicates the favorite and also shows you how much you would have to bet to win $100. The number that indicates the underdog (with a plus sign) tells you how much you would win if you wager $100.

As an example, let’s say the odds for a matchup are Colorado Avalanche (-140) vs. St. Louis Blues (+160). Let’s say you want to bet that Colorado would win. If you wager $140 and the game goes your way, you’d win you win $100, and get back the amount you wagered. If you bet $100 on St. Louis, you’d make $160 in profit in addition to getting back your bet amount. In other words, betting on the underdog can pay – but of course, they’re underdogs for a reason.

Puck Line Hockey Odds Explained

The moneyline is just one way to bet on NHL games. You can also wager on the puck line (called the point spread in other sports). In this bet, you can bet on whether you think the total number of goals scored by the favorite will be at least two more than the total of goals scored by the underdog. So if the final score is Detroit is 5 and Montreal 3, you would win by betting Detroit -1.5 (5 – 1.5 > 3). But if Montreal won 3 -2, you would lose (3 – 1.5 < 2). The number in parenthesis next to the -1.5 or +1.5 indicates your payout, using the same logic as a Money Line bet. Placing a (-110) bet means you would have to wager $110 to win $100.

Hockey Over/Under Betting Explained

In an Over/Under bet, you pick whether you think the total number of goals will be over or under the predetermined line. So for example, let’s assume the line is 6.5. If the final score adds up to at least 7, you would win if you bet on the over. Over/under bets are an exciting way to bet on a game’s outcome without having to decide which team you think will win.

Hockey Period Wagers Explained

Period betting in incredibly popular way to bet on hockey. Here, you bet on the total number of goals you think will be scored in one period of the matchup. Most people bet on the first period, because this is when a lot of hockey’s scoring occurs. Historically speaking, there are about 4 to 5 goals scored in the first period of every NHL game. That’s because teams attempt to establish a quick lead while their energy is high. Once they have a solid lead, they will slow the pace and focus on defense. Savvy hockey bettors understand this aspect of the game and bet accordingly.

NHL betting is more and more popular every season. BetRivers Illinois Sportsbook is here to help you get the most of every fast-paced game. Check our latest hockey odds and bet today!