NHL Prop Bets: How to Find Value in Hockey Player Prop Markets

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NHL prop bets have become one of the most engaging ways to wager on hockey, offering bettors a chance to focus on individual performances rather than final scores.

From goal and assist totals to shots on goal, power play points and goaltender saves, NHL player props create endless angles to exploit.

Nailing an NHL prop bet is like a perfect power play - it augments the game and credits deep player insights.

With the right mix of matchup analysis, recent form and usage trends, NHL player props can provide value and entertainment for the greatest show on ice.

Sharpen your betting instincts as we showcase a guide of how to bet NHL prop bets for this season.

Looking to bet on NHL Player Props? Check out Oddspedia’s bet calculator and odds calculator!

🤔 What is an NHL prop bet?

An NHL prop bet, short for proposition bet, is a subtype of betting where the wager is not directly tied to the final outcome of an NHL game. Rather than just predicting wins or losses focusing on the moneyline, NHL prop bets bring a fun element to betting by focusing on specific aspects like player performances, precise scores, and team points.

We’ve categorized the various NHL prop betting options in this article to simplify your search for the broad spectrum of available NHL prop bets.

🏒 What are NHL player props?

NHL player props are a distinctive type of sports bet that focuses on the performance of individual NHL players during a match.

As opposed to betting on the final outcome of the game, you wager on specific player achievements within the match. Certain player props offered by the best sportsbooks could include bets on the number of goals, assists, penalty minutes, or saves by a goalie.

This allows the opportunity to bet on players you favor or those you believe will have standout performances in a particular match.

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For instance, a sportsbook might set a player prop for Leon Draisaitl in an NHL game as follows:

Leon Draisaitl to score 1.5 goals

If the bettor believes Draisaitl will score at least one goal, they will bet the Over. If the bettor thinks he will score one or no goals, they will bet the Under. If Draisaitl ends up scoring two or more goals, the Over bets would win, otherwise the Under bets would win.

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🔥 Most popular NHL player props

NHL player props offer betting market variety, and they include:

🏒 Player to score anytime: This wager is simply on whether a player will score at any point during the game.

🏒 First goal scorer: This wager involves predicting which specific player will score the game’s first goal. It’s a popular prop bet due to the higher odds generally offered due to the difficulty in predicting the outcome.

🏒 Total goals scored: Prediction on whether a player’s total goals in a game will be over or under a set number.

🏒 Total assists: A wager on whether the total assists from a player in a match will be over or under a preset number.

🏒 Shot on goal: This bet is about whether the shots on goal by a player during a match will be over or under a specified number.

🏒 Player points (goals + assists): A wager where you predict whether a player’s total points combined from both goals and assists during a game will be over or under a given number.

🏒 Minutes on ice: A wager on whether a player’s total time spent on ice in the game will be over or under a certain number speculated by the sportsbook.

🏒 Blocked shots: This bet revolves around predicting whether the total number of shots a player blocks during a game will exceed or fall short of a predetermined number.

🏒 Penalties: A bet predicting whether the total penalty minutes assigned to a player during a game will be over or under a specified number.

🏒 Total saves: Frequently used in betting on goalkeepers, it involves predicting whether a player’s total saves in a single game will be over or under the predetermined number.

The hunt for the NHL’s best defensive forward is on! Check out the Selke Trophy odds!

🤔 What are NHL game props?

NHL game props allow you to bet on specific activities or milestones within a game that do not directly depend on the final outcome or score. Examples include, which team will score first, or how many total goals will be scored in the game.

⭐ Most popular NHL game and team props:

Popular NHL game and team props include:

🥅  Team to score first/last: A bet on which team will score the first or last goal of the game.

🥅  Total goals scored: A wager on whether the combined total goals scored by both teams will be over or under a certain number.

🥅  Both teams to score (BTTS): This wager requires you to predict whether both teams to score at least one goal during the game. The options are usually ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

🥅  Total goals per team: This wager involves predicting whether the total goals scored by a specific team will exceed or fall short of the bookmaker’s line.

🥅  Total goals in each period: This prop bet provides a unique angle as bettors can wager on the total number of goals scored in each individual period.

🥅  Shots on goal: This prop bet focuses on predicting whether the total number of shots on goal by both teams during the game will be over or under a predetermined number.

🥅  Race to certain number of goals: A prop bet where you predict which team will reach a certain number of goals first.

🥅  Winning margin: Predicting by how many goals the winning team will outscore the losing team by.

🥅  Correct score: This is a bet on the exact final score of the game. It’s a challenging bet to win, but it can offer more significant returns due to the higher odds.

🥅  Penalties per team: This bet involves predicting whether the total penalty minutes earned by a team during the game will be over or under the specified number.

🥅  Successful power plays: A hockey-specific wager predicting the number of successful power plays a team will have.

🥅  Total saves by a goalie: Involves predicting whether the total saves by a team’s goalie will be over or under a set number.

🥅  Will there be overtime: This prop bet simply requires a prediction of whether the game will end in regulation or if it will require overtime to determine a winner. The options for this bet are typically ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

🥅  Odd/Even total goals: This wager requires predicting whether the total number of goals scored by both teams will be an odd or even number.

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More NHL prop betting choices

The dynamics of NHL prop betting are continuously expanding and diversifying, offering bettors novel and thrilling opportunities to engage in the action of the game. While each sportsbook offers different propositions tailored to various aspects, certain predictions have gained significant popularity and are widely available:

NHL Draft prop betting

The NHL draft, which marks the thrilling kick-off to the NHL season, has evolved into a noteworthy event ripe with prop betting opportunities. Typical prop bets during the NHL Draft might include placing a wager on the player to be picked first overall in the draft. Our experts will keep you up to date at all time with the freshest NHL Draft odds.

Season-long prop bets

Much akin to futures bets in conventional sports betting, season-long prop bets have emerged as a popular choice among bettors. These future bets allow bettors to make predictions regarding various outcomes over the course of the NHL season, with the results being determined at the end.

Some of the possible season-long prop bets include:

Series and awards bets

This can involve wagers on who will win prestigious awards such as the Hart Trophy (MVP), Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie), Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year), Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward), Rocket Richard Trophy (Top Goal Scorer in the League), Jack Adams Award (Most Successful Coach), Art Ross Trophy (Player with the Most Scoring Points), and the Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman).

League and divisional outcomes

Bets can be placed on teams to win their division (for example, the Atlantic Division, Metropolitan Division, Central Division, or Pacific Division), or the league overall. Keen about the latest odds predicting the winner of each Division?

Team performance bets

Wagering on how many wins a team will achieve in a season or whether a team will make the playoffs are common forms of these bets.

Player performance bets

These involve wagers on yearly leading scorers, goalies with the most shutouts, or players achieving specific milestones within a season.

Record-breaking predictions

Sportsbooks offer prop bets on whether specific season or all-time records will be broken.

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💸 Tips and strategies for NHL prop betting

NHL prop betting requires careful preparation and strategic planning. Here are some essential tips and strategies to consider when placing NHL player prop bets:

1. Study players and teams

Knowledge is power in NHL prop betting. Understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and trends of the players and teams you are betting on can give you a considerable advantage.

2. Understand the matchups

In hockey, individual matchups can significantly influence a player’s performance. Veterans may have the edge due to their experience, or rookies might stand out with their talent. Understanding these dynamics can help drive informed betting decisions.

3. Timing matters

Hockey is a contact sport and injuries are common. Thus, keeping an eye on late injury reports or lineup changes, and placing your bet closer to game time, can be beneficial.

4. Compare the odds

Odds for NHL prop bets can vary between sportsbooks. Always shop around for the best NHL odds to ensure you’re getting the most value for your wager.

5. Specialize in your areas of interest

Trying to understand every player, team, and aspect of the NHL can be overwhelming. It often works better to focus on specific areas that you know well or have a keen interest in. This can be a particular team, player, or style of bet.

6. Watch the games

Stats can tell you a lot, but watching the games will provide nuances or patterns the numbers might be missing. It can provide insight into a player’s form, a team’s chemistry, or how they handle pressure situations, which can feed into making more knowledgeable prop bets.

7. Follow successful NHL experts

Taking advice from NHL professionals can heighten your edge. Their deep analysis and hidden insights may evade most observers. Learn from their selections and how they arrive at them, but ensure your ultimate choice incorporates your own judgement.

Oddspedia grants you complimentary access to numerous NHL picks and hockey forecasts from trusted experts. You can also gauge the most popular community betting picks through consensus.

8. Keep your eyes open for bonuses

Keep an eye out for sportsbook bonuses as you prepare for your next NHL prop bet. They can add extra value to your next wagering. These bonuses can come as first bet offers, enhanced odds, or deposit bonuses among others. Smart use of these bonuses can potentially increase your return, turning a good bet into a great one.

In conclusion, NHL prop betting requires a balance between knowledge, strategy, and understanding of the game’s micro-elements to maximize your chances of success.

Other sports for prop bets

Player prop betting isn’t just connected to NHL. Many other sports also offer myriad opportunities for the savvy punter to score big on individual performances. From the slamming dunks of NBA, the touchdown throws in NFL to the home runs in MLB, and even the goal-scoring strivers in Soccer, player prop bets bring an extra thrill to watching your favorite sports.

Next time you’re watching, consider the following prop bet opportunities:

Our best NHL betting sites

To make sure you get the most value on your NHL odds, go to the best NHL betting sites prior to placing your wagers throughout the season.

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Want more insights on NHL betting markets?

If you’re looking for more expert insight into the NHL odds and getting an edge on the rest of the market, check out more of our articles:

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❓ NHL Prop Bets FAQs

Where can I find NHL prop bets?

Top CA sportsbooks like Stake, Betway and bet365 typically host a variety of NHL prop bets. These platforms engage bettors with their extensive coverage of major sports leagues, including the NHL, and offer a diverse assortment of prop betting options to choose from.

How do prop bets work in the NHL?

Prop bets in the NHL offer bettors the chance to place wagers on particular elements within a game, separate from the overall outcome. This could encompass aspects such as individual player performances (like a specific player’s goals or assists), team statistics, or unique occurrences during the match.

What type of NHL prop bets are available?

NHL prop bets cover various betting markets, offering a wide array of wagering opportunities.

  • Player props: These allow bettors to place bets on individual player performances during a match.
  • Team props: These bets are centered on the specific results or statistics of a team within a game.
  • Game props: These offer bets on aspects of the game not directly related to the final scoreline, such as which team will score first.
  • Seasonal prop bets: These present an opportunity to predict long-term trends or performance milestones over the course of an entire NHL season.

Are parlays allowed with NHL prop bets?

Yes, parlays are allowed with NHL prop bets. This means that bettors can combine multiple prop bets into a single wager.

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