If you’re new to hockey betting or want to understand how it all works before placing your next wager, you’re in the right place. I’ve put together everything you need to know about betting on this sport, from how the game works to what each bet type means and how the rules affect your bets.

This sport is fast, exciting, and full of betting opportunities every single night during the NHL year. Whether you’re one of the many bettors discovering hockey wagering for the first time or you’ve been following the game for years, this is the best place to get up to speed. By the time you finish reading this page, you’ll understand the sport, the markets, and the rules well enough to bet with confidence. And as always, your loyalty is rewarded at Rexbet whether you win or lose!

Understanding How Hockey Works

Before you start betting, it helps to know the basics of how a match plays out. If you already follow the sport, feel free to skip ahead to the betting sections. If you’re coming in fresh, here’s what you need to know.

Periods

A hockey game is split into 3 periods, each lasting 20 minutes of play time. The clock stops for whistles, penalties, and stoppages, so a real-time period typically takes around 40 minutes. There are intermissions between each period.

Overtime

If the score is tied after three periods, the game goes to overtime. In the NHL regular season, overtime is a 5 minute sudden-death period played 3-on-3 (instead of the usual 5-on-5). The first unit to score wins. The 3-on-3 format creates a wide-open, fast-paced overtime with plenty of scoring chances.

In the NHL playoffs, overtime is completely different. It’s played as full 20 minute periods at 5-on-5, and it continues until someone scores. There’s no time limit and no shootout. Playoff overtime games can go multiple extra periods, which creates incredible drama and some unique betting opportunities.

Shootouts

If nobody scores during regular year overtime, the game goes to a shootout. Each team selects three shooters who take turns going one-on-one against the opposing goaltender. If it’s still tied after three rounds, it goes to sudden death rounds until one team scores and the other doesn’t.

Shootouts only happen in the regular season, never in the playoffs.

Quick Summary

Element	How It Works
Periods	Three 20 minute periods
Regular season OT	5 minutes, 3-on-3, sudden death
Playoff OT	20 minute periods, 5-on-5, unlimited until a goal
Shootout	Regular season only, 3 rounds then sudden death
Points	Win = 2 pts, OT/shootout loss = 1 pt

Hockey Bet Types Explained

Now that you know how the sport works, let me walk you through each bet type you’ll find at Rexbet. I’ll keep it straightforward so everything makes sense even if you’ve never placed a hockey bet before.

Moneyline

The moneyline is the simplest and most popular bet for this sport. You pick the squad you think will win the match. The result includes overtime and shootouts, so as long as your squad wins (no matter how), your bet wins.

Example:

- - Oilers: 1.75 (favourite)
- Canucks: 2.15 (underdog)

A $10 bet on the Oilers returns $17.50 if they win. A $10 bet on the Canucks returns $21.50 if they pull off the upset.

If you’re just starting out with hockey betting, the moneyline is the best place to begin. One team wins, one team loses, and your bet settles. Once your picks start landing, there’s no better feeling.

Puck Line

The puck line is hockey’s version of a point spread. It’s almost always set at 1.5 goals.

- - Favourite at -1.5: They need to win by 2 or more goals for your bet to land
- Underdog at +1.5: They can lose by 1 goal and your bet still wins

Example:

- - Canadiens -1.5: 2.50
- Flames +1.5: 1.55

The puck line gives you a way to get better odds on the favourite (if you think they’ll win big) or more safety on the underdog (if you think they’ll keep it close). It’s one of the most popular hockey betting markets after the moneyline.

Over/Under (Total Goals)

The sportsbook sets a number for the total goals scored by both teams combined. You bet on whether the actual amount will be over or under that line. In hockey, totals are usually set at 5.5 or 6.5.

Example:

- - Over 6.5: 2.05
- Under 6.5: 1.80

Things that push a game toward the over: two high-scoring teams, weak goaltending on either side, back-to-back duels causing fatigue. Things that push toward the under: elite goaltenders, strong defensive teams, playoff-style intensity.

3-Way Moneyline (Regulation Time)

This bet gives you 3 options: Team A wins, Team B wins, or the duel is tied after 60 minutes of regulation. Overtime and shootouts don’t count.

Example:

- - Jets: 2.20
- - Flames: 3.30
- Tie: 3.70

The odds on both teams are higher than the standard moneyline because you’re taking on the risk that the game goes to overtime. About 23% of NHL matches end tied after regulation, so the tie is a legitimate outcome to consider.

Period Betting

This means betting on what happens in a specific period. Options include which squad wins the period, the total goals in the period, or whether the period ends in a tie.

Period betting is great if you’ve noticed a team tends to start strong or come alive in the third period. Checking period-by-period stats can give you an edge in these markets.

Player Props

Bet on individual NHL athletes performance. Common performer props include:

- - Anytime goalscorer: Will a specific performer score at least one goal?
- - Shots on goal: Over/under on a performer’s total shots
- - Points: Over/under on a player’s total points (goals + assists)
- First goalscorer: Which performer will score the first goal of the game? High odds because it’s harder to predict

Player props let you bet on specific athletes you follow closely, which can be more fun than just picking a team to win.

Parlay

A parlay lets you combine two or more picks into a single bet. Instead of placing each wager separately, you link them together and the potential payout multiplies with every selection you add. All your picks need to win for the parlay to pay out, which makes it a higher-risk option—but one that bettors love for the big returns it can deliver on a small stake.

Example:

- Oilers moneyline + Over 6.5 goals in the Canadiens game + Jets puck line (-1.5) combined into one parlay slip

If all three land, the odds multiply together for a much larger return than placing each bet individually. It’s one of the most exciting ways to bet a full night of ice madness.

Futures

Long-term wagers on outcomes that are decided over the sport’s year or tournament. Popular hockey futures include NHL Stanley Cup winner, division winners, conference winners, and individual awards like the Hart Trophy (MVP) or Vezina Trophy (best goaltender).

Futures odds change throughout the sports year based on squad performance, injuries, and trades. The earlier you lock in a pick, the better the odds tend to be if your prediction turns out correct.

Hockey Betting Rules You Need to Know

This sport has some specific rules that affect how bets are settled. Understanding these before you bet saves confusion later.

Do Shootout Goals Count in Hockey Betting?

This is one of the most common questions in betting on this ice discipline, and the answer depends on the market:

- - Moneyline bets: Yes, the shootout result counts. Whoever wins the shootout wins the match, and your bet settles based on the final result
- - Puck line bets: The match is recorded as a 1 goal win for the shootout winner. So if the game is tied 3:3 after overtime and Team A wins the shootout, the final score is officially 4:3. This means the favourite at -1.5 would NOT cover, but the underdog at +1.5 would
- - Over/under bets: The shootout-winning goal counts toward the total. Using the same example, the total would be 7 goals (3+3+1 shootout goal)
- Player prop bets: Shootout goals do NOT count toward individual performer stats. If a performer scores in the shootout, it doesn’t count for anytime goalscorer or performer points props

This distinction is crucial. Make sure you know which of your wagers are affected by shootout rules before you place them.

Overtime Rules for Betting

Regular season overtime and playoff overtime work differently:

- - Regular season: If a duel goes to overtime, moneyline bets stay active through both overtime and the shootout. The game must produce a winner
- - Playoffs: There’s no shootout. Overtime continues in full 20 minute periods until someone scores. All bets stay active until the game ends
- 3-way moneyline: This market settles after regulation only. If the match goes to overtime, anyone who bet the tie wins

Postponed and Cancelled Games

If a match is postponed and rescheduled, bets are usually voided and your stake is returned. If the match is played on the rescheduled date, new wagers would need to be placed.

Empty Net Goals

When a squad is trailing late in a duel, they’ll often pull their goaltender for an extra skater. Goals scored into an empty net count for all betting purposes, including puck line, over/under, and performer props. An empty net goal in the final minute can be the difference between covering the puck line or not, which is something to keep in mind if you’re watching a game live.

Hockey Betting Tips for Beginners

Here are some practical tips to help you get started:

Start with the moneyline. It’s the simplest bet and the go-to starting point for most new bettors. It gives you a clear outcome to follow. Once you’re comfortable, start branching out into puck line and over/under markets.

Check the starting goalie. This is the single most important factor when betting on this sport. A franchise with their starter in net is a very different proposition than one running with the backup. Goalie confirmations come on match day, so always check before betting. Most sites post goalie confirmations a few hours before puck drop, so make that part of your pre-game routine.

Look at back-to-back schedules. Teams playing the second game of consecutive nights tend to underperform. The backup goalie usually starts, and skaters are fatigued. This creates value on the opposing side.

Watch for line changes after injuries. A star performer going down can shift the odds, but sometimes the market doesn’t adjust quickly enough. If you’re following the news closely, you might spot value before the lines move.

Understand the difference between regular year and playoffs. Scoring drops in the playoffs, goaltending takes over, and the style of play becomes more physical. Adjust your expectations for over/under lines and puck line bets when the postseason starts.

Set a budget and stick to it. Decide what you’re comfortable spending and treat it the same way you’d treat any other form of entertainment. At Rexbet, I reward your loyalty whether you win or lose, so every bet brings you closer to your next bonus.

Place Your First Hockey Bet at Rexbet Sportsbook

Ready to get started? Here’s how:

1. 1. Create an account: Click the Sign Up button to register in just a few steps
1. 1. Make a deposit: Fund your account using any of the available payment methods, including popular Canadian options
1. 1. Head to the sportsbook: Click on this sport in the sports menu to see all upcoming games
1. 1. Pick a game and market: Check the odds, choose your bet type, and add it to your bet slip
1. Confirm and enjoy: Set your stake, place your wager, and enjoy the match!

For a deeper look at how odds and lines work, check out my Hockey Betting Odds and Lines page. And if you want to dive straight into the NHL, my NHL Hockey Betting page covers the full year, playoffs, and every Canadian franchise.

Sign up at Rexbet Sportsbook today and place your first hockey bet. I’ve got competitive odds, a full range of markets, and the best loyalty rewards waiting for you—no matter what offer is running, your loyalty always counts at Rexbet whether you win or lose. Ready to make some money?