Your ice hockey online betting guide

Ice hockey is one of the most thrilling spectator sports in the world. Fast-paced, exciting, and very definitely aggressive, it’s also popular among those who like to ramp up the excitement with a flutter. After all, there’s no shortage of betting opportunities with numerous domestic and international games in both North America and Europe. Many of these markets are available to bet on with such bookmakers as Mr Green. Before you begin your ice hockey betting career, however, you’ll need to have a strategy in place.

Know The NHL Schedule

The NHL is the world’s most popular ice hockey league, but when planning an NHL betting strategy, one of the first things to take into account is the schedule. Ice hockey is a gruelling sport and the NHL schedule is particularly demanding, so it’s a good idea to study the fixture list closely. Look for teams making long journeys or playing three or four games in the space of five or six days, as they may struggle to be at their best in these circumstances.

With so many games to play, it’s inevitable that teams and players will not be able to maintain full intensity every time they take to the ice. Their performances are more likely to peak in crucial games against divisional or local rivals, where there are play-off places or local pride at stake, so if you know the schedule inside out, you may be able to spot these situations ahead of time and profit.

Keep tabs on the goalies

You don’t want to underestimate the pivotal role that the goal-tender plays in ice hockey. A coach, for example, can’t simply take one out and put another one in and expect there to be a minimal difference to the team’s performance. You’ll want to invest some time in studying each goal-tender e.g. their form and how they match-up against their opponent’s goal-scorers. Make sure you keep track of any injuries so you know who’s starting.

Value is key

To win at sports betting, the key is to focus on value. You’ll need to develop a keen eye for identifying betting opportunities with odds larger than expected. If you apply this strategy consistently, you’ll find yourself enjoying long-term betting success. Well, that’s the theory, anyway. In reality, it isn’t quite that easy. You’ll need to be at an advanced level to analyse form and match-ups, as well as be able to place your bets quickly enough when the value is right.
This approach extends beyond march results, however, there are other markets available at Mr Green where you’ll be able to find value more easily, such as the correct store, handicap, or Over/Under markets. No matter which market you choose, one way to develop a keen sense for recognising value is to create your own odds, based on your knowledge of the game.
If you think the Nottingham Panthers have a 40 per cent chance of defeating the Manchester Storm, for example, that gives you the odds of 6/4 (or 2.5 in decimal odds). If the odds offered for the Panthers are greater than your own, then you may well have stumbled upon a value opportunity. It takes time to create your own odds to the point where it can help you to find value but it’s a great way to develop a nose for it so you can profit long-term.

It's all about goals

The goals market in ice hockey can be wild, which provides the knowledgable ice hockey bettor with consistent opportunities. With bookmakers like Mr Green, you can take advantage of a number of goals markets, such as Correct Score, Both Teams to Score, and Total Goals.
The latter is a great one to get your feet wet with, as it’s less risky than the others. There’s a degree of consistency in the number of goals scored and conceded by teams in the majority of ice hockey leagues, and with some knowledge of each team’s goals record and form, you’ll spot some profitable betting opportunities. If there’s a particular game in which you have a good sense that one team won’t appear on the scoresheet, the Both Teams to Score market would be one to look at, as shut-outs are far and few between in ice hockey. The Correct Score market is more unpredictable but has some great prices on offer.
Essentially, no matter how experienced you are and which style of betting you feel most suited for, the goals market is a great one to add some excitement to your ice hockey spectating. As well as making it profitable, of course!

Ice Hockey FAQ

How do Ice Hockey Bets work?

Ice Hockey is a match between two teams of six; five outfield players and a goaltender. The matches usually last an hour and are divided into three 20-minute periods that start with a face-off. Like football and other major sports, the betting markets include the outright winner of a league, over/under, and winner of an individual game. That means you can wager on your favourite team at Mr Green Casino or place a bet on the game’s first goal scorer or winner.

What should you take into consideration when betting on Ice Hockey?

When placing a wager on Ice Hockey, you should understand the various types of bets. For instance, money line bets are wagers placed on three possible game outcomes; team A or B wins and a draw. The over/under markets are wagers in which you predict the scores of the game. For example, you can bet that the scores will exceed or be under 4.5. In Ice Hockey, you can use an accumulator bet to wager on several events and increase your chances of a better payout.

What does +1.5 mean in Ice Hockey betting?

The +1.5 payout is used for puck line betting in Ice Hockey. While puck line betting is unique to Ice Hockey, it is a variant of spread betting. That means bookmakers apply a point spread on the underdog and the favourite. The puck line is set at 1.5, and the underdog will receive a +1.5 goal puck line. For your wager to win, the underdog should not lose by more than two scores. If you pick a favourite with a -1.5 handicap, your team should win by two goals or more.

How often do favourites win in Ice Hockey?

In Ice Hockey, a game must end in a win. The winner of the two teams is the favourite, and the bookmaker usually gives lower odds for the team. In National Hockey League sportsbooks, the hosts have an average success rate of 60.88%. On the road, the favourites have a 59.27% success rate.

What is a 60-minute line?

A 60-minute line bet in Ice Hockey is similar to a money line wager, but you wager on the results at the end of a 60-minute period. For instance, you can bet on your favourites to win or tie at the end of the three periods.