What the Puck is a Puckline?

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What is a puckline?

With the NHL season just hours away from getting underway, let’s take the time to dive into hockey betting at Tipico Sportsbook. One of the most popular wagering options in hockey aside from the moneyline and totals is the puckline. It’s the NHL’s version of point spread, and it works a lot like runline in MLB.

Let’s take a look at the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks on opening night. The defending Stanley Cup champions are heavy favorites on the moneyline (-250) to beat Chicago (+200). You really have to lay a lot of juice to return a profit with those odds, but if you think they’re going to win by more than one goal, there’s value in taking them on the puckline at -1.5 (+105).

You could go the other way if you want and take the Blackhawks not to lose by more than a goal at +1.5 (-130). It’s one way of getting involved with the underdog if you think they can keep the game close as they don’t have to win to return a profit. If you were to take Chicago on the moneyline at +200, they would have to win outright. You will always get better odds to take a team to win by 2 goals rather than a team to not lose by two goals.

The Lightning at -1.5 makes a lot of sense when you consider no team in the NHL allowed more shots, scoring chances, high-danger chances or goals at 5v5 last season than Chicago. They also enter the 2021 season without their captain in Jonathan Toews and starting goalie from last season in Corey Crawford.

Why bet the puckline?

Betting the puckline allows you to get involved with some of the better teams in the league when the matchup heavily favors them. Something to also keep in mind is when a team trails by a goal late in the third period, they usually pull their goalie, which sometimes results in a goal against. Those who like to bet the puckline are well aware of this and even though it’s not something you can always count on, it happens often.

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