This NHL puck line guide covers the empty-net goal, which settles more of these bets than any play in regulation. The puck line is hockey’s version of the point spread (always set at -1.5 (favorite must win by 2+ goals) or +1.5 (underdog can lose by 1 goal and still cover). Like baseball’s run line, the puck line never changes; only the price (odds) changes. Because NHL games are low-scoring), the average game produces about 6 combined goals, winning by 2+ goals is a meaningful challenge, and the puck line creates unique betting opportunities that don’t exist in other sports.
How the NHL Puck Line Works
| Team | Puck Line | Price | To Win Your Bet… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning (favorite) | -1.5 | +155 | Lightning must win by 2+ goals |
| Columbus Blue Jackets (underdog) | +1.5 | -175 | Blue Jackets must lose by 1 goal or win outright |
Notice the pricing: the favorite’s puck line (-1.5) often pays a positive price (+155 in this example) because winning by 2+ goals in a low-scoring sport is genuinely difficult. The underdog’s puck line (+1.5) is typically priced as a heavy favorite (-175) because losing by only 1 goal or winning outright covers a high percentage of games, especially given that about 25% of NHL games go to overtime, where the puck line is still in play.
Overtime and the Puck Line
One of the most important rules in NHL puck line betting: overtime and shootout goals count toward the puck line. This has a significant impact on how the puck line resolves:
| Game Outcome | Puck Line Favorite (-1.5) | Puck Line Underdog (+1.5) |
|---|---|---|
| Favorite wins by 3+ goals | Win | Loss |
| Favorite wins by 2 goals | Win | Loss |
| Favorite wins by 1 goal (regulation) | Loss | Win |
| Tie after regulation → Favorite wins OT/SO | Loss (final score: 1-goal margin) | Win |
| Tie after regulation → Underdog wins OT/SO | Loss | Win |
| Underdog wins outright | Loss | Win |
The key insight: any game that goes to overtime automatically results in a 1-goal margin (the OT/SO winner wins by exactly 1). This means the puck line underdog (+1.5) wins all overtime games, regardless of which team wins. This is a critical structural advantage for the underdog puck line that makes it one of the most popular NHL bet types.
Puck Line vs. Moneyline: When to Use Each
| Situation | Better Bet | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy favorite (-200 or more) with elite goalie | Puck line (-1.5) | Better payout; dominant teams often win by 2+ |
| Moderate favorite (-130 to -160) | Moneyline | Puck line price often not worth the extra risk |
| Underdog you like to win outright | Moneyline | Full payout; puck line only adds 1.5 goals at a cost |
| Underdog you think will keep it close | Puck line (+1.5) | Covers even if they lose by 1 or in OT; cheaper price |
| Back-to-back fatigue game | Puck line (+1.5) on rested team | Fatigued team likely to play close game; +1.5 covers OT losses |
| Pitching duel equivalent (elite goalie matchup) | Moneyline on favorite | Low-scoring games often decided by 1 goal; puck line risky |
The Puck Line Underdog: Hockey’s Best Bet Type?
The puck line underdog (+1.5) is arguably the most consistently valuable bet type in hockey. The structural reason: about 25% of NHL games go to overtime, and the underdog puck line wins all overtime games. This means the underdog puck line covers in every game where the underdog wins outright plus every game that goes to overtime, which is a very high percentage of all NHL games.
The math: if an underdog wins 40% of games outright and 25% of games go to overtime (which the underdog puck line also wins), the underdog puck line covers roughly 55–60% of games. At a price of -175, the break-even rate is 63.6%, so the puck line underdog isn’t automatically a value bet. But in the right spots (a rested underdog with a strong goalie facing a fatigued favorite), the cover rate can exceed 65%, making the puck line underdog a genuine edge.
Best Sportsbooks for NHL Puck Line Betting
| Sportsbook | Puck Line Strength | Review |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Alternate puck lines (+2.5, -2.5); puck line parlays | DraftKings Review |
| FanDuel | Competitive puck line pricing; F60 puck line markets | FanDuel Review |
| bet365 | Best opening puck line odds; early market access | bet365 Review |
| BetMGM | Unique alternate puck line options; SGP with puck line | BetMGM Review |
Responsible Gambling
Sports betting should always be entertaining. Set a budget, stick to it, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Every licensed US sportsbook offers deposit limits, self-exclusion, and cooling-off periods. If you need help, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit ncpgambling.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions that come up once an empty-netter costs you a puck line bet.
What is the NHL puck line?
The puck line is hockey’s version of the point spread, always set at -1.5 (favorite must win by 2+ goals) or +1.5 (underdog can lose by 1 goal and still cover). Unlike football spreads that vary widely, the puck line never changes (only the price (odds) changes. Overtime and shootout goals count toward the puck line, which means any game that goes to overtime results in a 1-goal margin), automatically covering the underdog’s +1.5.
Does overtime count for the NHL puck line?
Yes, overtime and shootout goals count toward the puck line. Any game that goes to overtime ends with a 1-goal margin (the OT/SO winner wins by exactly 1), which means the underdog puck line (+1.5) wins all overtime games. This is a significant structural advantage for the underdog puck line and one of the reasons it’s such a popular NHL bet type.
When should I bet the puck line instead of the moneyline?
Bet the puck line (-1.5) on heavy favorites when the price is attractive (typically when a dominant team with an elite goalie is facing a weak opponent and the puck line pays +130 or better. Bet the puck line (+1.5) on underdogs when you think a team will keep it close but might not win outright), the +1.5 covers all overtime games at a cheaper price than the moneyline.
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