Hockey betting attracts fans who enjoy analysing form, statistics, and the fast pace of the sport. It’s a market that rewards those who understand how momentum can shift in seconds. Most UK sportsbooks now offer hockey odds on both domestic and international matches, including the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) and the NHL.
To start, punters need to know the main betting markets — the moneyline, puck line, and totals. These are the foundations of hockey wagering, each offering a slightly different way to read and predict the game.
Basic Hockey Betting Markets
Before placing any wager, it’s important to understand how hockey betting markets work. Each market offers a different angle — whether you’re backing a winner, predicting the margin of victory, or estimating the total number of goals. Knowing how these bets function helps punters read the odds correctly and make more informed decisions.
Below are the three main markets every hockey bettor should know: the moneyline, the puck line, and totals (over/under). These form the core of hockey wagering across leagues like the EIHL, NHL, and international tournaments.
Moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest and most popular hockey bet — predicting which team wins the match. Draws are usually excluded, meaning the wager is settled after overtime or a shootout.
For example:
• Sheffield Steelers -200
• Manchester Storm +180
In this scenario, the Steelers are favourites. A -200 line means staking £200 would return £100 profit if they win. The Storm, priced at +180, would return £180 profit from a £100 stake if they pull off the upset.
Moneyline betting is often favoured by beginners as it’s straightforward — you simply back the team you believe will win.
Puck Line
The puck line introduces a 1.5-goal handicap, similar to a spread bet in football. The favourite must win by two or more goals to cover the line, while the underdog can lose by one and still win the bet.
Example:
• Nottingham Panthers -1.5 (+150)
• Belfast Giants +1.7 (-170)
A £100 bet on the Panthers would return £150 profit if they win by two or more goals. Meanwhile, backing the Giants at -170 means staking £170 to win £100, as they only need to avoid a two-goal defeat.
This market adds interest to one-sided matchups, offering better odds for confident punters or insurance for those who fancy a close contest.
Totals
Totals betting revolves around predicting the overall number of goals scored by both teams combined in a game. Bookmakers set a line — usually 5.5 goals in professional hockey — and bettors choose whether the final total will be higher or lower.
Example:
• Over 5.5 goals
• Under 5.5 goals
If the game ends 4-3, that’s 7 total goals, and the Over bet wins. If it finishes 3-2, the total is 5 goals, so the Under bet lands. Totals markets are particularly appealing for those who prefer analysing offensive and defensive trends rather than picking a winner.
Period Betting and Live Bets
Period betting allows punters to focus on smaller parts of the game rather than the full 60 minutes. This market suits those who follow the rhythm of hockey closely and enjoy reading momentum shifts.
Bets can be placed on who wins a specific period — for example, backing the Cardiff Devils to win the first period at 2.30, or predicting the total goals in the second period to go over 1.5 at 1.85. These wagers often provide better value for bettors who study team patterns, such as strong starts or slow finishes.
Live (in-play) betting adds another layer of excitement. Odds move rapidly after key moments — a goal, penalty, or power play. When a favourite scores first, their odds might drop from 1.80 to 1.25 within seconds, while the underdog’s price lengthens sharply.
The third period is usually the most volatile for live bets. Teams trailing by one or two goals often pull the goalie in the final minutes, creating open-ice situations and late scoring swings. This unpredictability offers both risk and opportunity for those confident in reading game flow.
Hockey Prop Bets
Proposition bets, often referred to as “props,” are wagers placed on specific events or occurrences during a game, rather than on the final outcome. These markets have grown rapidly in popularity, especially among fans who follow player statistics and team performance trends.
Player Props
Player props revolve around individual performances. Common examples include:
– Goals scored (e.g., Liam Kirk to score anytime at 3.20)
– Assists recorded
– Shots on goal (often set around 2.5 or 3.5 per player)
– Total points (goals + assists combined)
These bets reward those who track ice time, power-play roles, and recent form. For instance, a winger on the top line during a home game may offer strong value for over markets.
Team Props
Team props target collective achievements, such as:
– First team to score
– Team to win both the first and second periods
– Exact final score (e.g., 4-2 at odds of 10.00)
These markets tend to have longer odds but appeal to bettors who study matchup dynamics and coaching strategies.
Playoff Specials
During the postseason, bookmakers expand prop options further. Punters can back:
– Series winner (e.g., Guildford Flames to win best-of-seven at 2.10)
– Number of games in the series (Over/Under 5.5)
– Conn Smythe Trophy winner — awarded to the playoff MVP
Playoff props combine statistical insight with the drama of elimination hockey, where form and momentum often shift quickly between games.
UK Bookmakers for Hockey Betting
Ice hockey betting in the UK has grown steadily over the past decade, driven mainly by the NHL’s global following and the rise of digital sportsbooks. While most major bookmakers now offer hockey odds, the depth of markets and availability across different competitions can vary significantly. Bettors can find strong coverage for the NHL, World Championships, and Olympic tournaments, though EIHL markets remain more limited.
Below is an overview of how the leading UK bookmakers stack up when it comes to hockey betting.
Bet365
Bet365 offers the widest and most detailed hockey coverage among UK bookmakers. The platform lists hundreds of pre-match and live markets on every NHL game, including:
• Moneyline, puck line, and totals
• Player props (goals, assists, shots on goal)
• Team period betting
• Alternative puck lines and totals
World Championship and Olympic matches also receive extensive attention, with early lines available days in advance.
Bet365’s live betting section is particularly strong, updating odds almost instantly after goals or penalties. However, EIHL coverage, while available, typically includes only basic markets such as the match winner and total goals.
Paddy Power
Paddy Power provides competitive odds and a user-friendly hockey section covering all major leagues, including the NHL, AHL, and international tournaments. The site focuses on value markets rather than depth — for example, offering enhanced prices on selected high-profile games.
Where Paddy Power excels is in promotions. Bettors often find money-back specials or bet boosts on NHL fixtures, particularly during the playoffs. While the variety of props and live betting options isn’t as extensive as Bet365, the bookmaker compensates with solid pricing and reliable in-play stability.
EIHL matches are listed during the domestic season, but options are typically limited to the moneyline and totals.
William Hill
William Hill remains one of the UK’s most established brands but offers a more traditional hockey betting experience. The site covers all NHL games, the IIHF World Championships, and other major international competitions. Odds are consistent and fair, though the number of exotic or niche markets is smaller compared to its competitors.
Available bets usually include:
• Match winner
• Puck line
• Total goals
• Overtime and shootout markets
Live betting is smooth and reliable, but prop coverage is modest — especially on midweek NHL slates or smaller leagues. EIHL matches are occasionally listed, though they often appear closer to puck drop and lack detailed statistics or secondary markets.
Overall, Bet365 leads for variety and live action, Paddy Power appeals with sharp odds and promotions, while William Hill suits those preferring a straightforward betting setup. Across the board, NHL markets dominate in depth and frequency, whereas EIHL betting remains more niche – offering fewer lines and lower liquidity, though still appealing to dedicated UK fans.