Let’s quickly review what a +1.5 and -1.5 puck line means in hockey betting. We’re basing our response off our more detailed NHL betting tutorial, which explains NHL puck line, goal total, and moneyline bets in more detail.
Sports betting sites typically release puck lines after they’ve firmed up a hockey game’s moneyline and goal total bets. So if you don’t see a puck line available right away, check the NHL odds again a few hours later. Note that some preseason hockey games and exhibitions may not have puck lines unless there is enough interest for a sportsbook to create a puck line market.
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+1.5 Puck Line
A +1.5 puck line indicates a side is the underdog. In order to win a bet on a +1.5 underdog, the side must win outright or not lose by more than 1 goal, including overtime and shootouts.
Since there haven’t been ties in the NHL since the 2005-06 season, a +1.5 line gives the underdog the chance to lose by 1 goal or beat the other side outright.
How the Underdog Wins
Here’s a quick way to tell if a +1.5 underdog won. Subtract the underdog’s score from the favorite’s score. If the value is negative or less than 1.5, the puck line underdog won.
+1.5 Underdog Wins Example
- Favorite scored 3 goals
- Underdog scored 2 goals
- 3 – 2 = 1
- 1 is less than 1.5, therefore the underdog won.
-1.5 Puck Line
A -1.5 puck line indicates a side is the favorite. In order to win a bet on a -1.5 favorite, the side must win by 2 or more goals, including overtime and shootouts.
Betting a -1.5 puck line means you’re expecting the favorite to win handily. You shouldn’t place this bet unless you’re sure a team can win by 2 or more goals, including any overtime.
How the Favorite Wins
Here’s a quick way to tell if a -1.5 favorite won. Subtract the underdog’s score from the favorite’s score. If the value is 2 or more, the favorite won.
-1.5 Favorite Wins Example
- Favorite scored 4 goals
- Underdog scored 2 goals
- 4 – 2 = 2
- 2 is greater than 1.5, therefore the favorite won.
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How +1.5 and -1.5 Puck Line Odds Work
You’ll notice each side of the puck line has odds that resemble a moneyline. Unlike NFL or NBA point spreads that usually have odds around -110, puck lines typically have odds ranging from -125 to +225.
Puck line odds work the same as any other moneyline. Minus numbers indicate how much you risk to win $100, while plus numbers indicate how much you win if you risk $100.
NHL Puck Line Example
| Puck Line Game | Line & Odds |
|---|---|
Vancouver Canucks
Philadelphia Flyers
10/17/23 6:08pm EDT | -1.5 +180 +1.5 -225 |
What Puck Line Odds Mean
In the example above, Vancouver is the -1.5 +180 favorite. That means favorite bettors risk $100 to win $180. In order for the favorite bettors to win, Vancouver must win the game by 2 or more goals.
On the other hand, Philadelphia is the +1.5 -225 underdog. That means underdog bettors risk $225 to win $100. In order for the underdog bettors to win, Philadelphia must not lose by more than 1 goal, or must win the game outright.
You’ll notice that taking the puck line favorite usually returns a higher win than the underdog. That’s because it will be harder for puck line favorite to win by 2 or more goals than for the puck line underdog to lose by 1 goal or win outright. As a result, the sportsbook is willing to reward those who take the riskier favorite with a higher win than those who play it safe with the underdog.
Following the example, the odds on Vancouver -1.5 +180 mean it’s less likely they can win by 2 or more goals. Conversely, the odds on Philadelphia +1.5 -225 mean it’s more likely they will lose by 1 goal or potentially win outright.
Finally, you can learn more about what to look for when handicapping a hockey game with our helpful primer article.
FAQs
A +1.5 puck line indicates a side is the underdog. In order to win a bet on a +1.5 underdog, the side must win outright or not lose by more than 1 goal, including overtime and shootouts.
A -1.5 puck line indicates a side is the favorite. In order to win a bet on a -1.5 favorite, the side must win by 2 or more goals, including overtime and shootouts.
Puck line odds work the same as any other moneyline. Minus numbers indicate how much you risk to win $100, while plus numbers indicate how much you win if you risk $100.
You’ll notice that taking the puck line favorite usually returns a higher win than the underdog. That’s because it will be harder for puck line favorite to win by 2 or more goals.
Taking the puck line underdog usually returns a lower win than the underdog. That’s because it’s much easier for the puck line underdog to lose by 1 goal or win outright than for the puck line favorite to win by 2 or more goals.
You’ll notice each side of the puck line has odds that resemble a moneyline. Unlike football or basketball point spreads that usually have odds around -110, puck lines typically have odds ranging from -125 to +225.
Sports Betting Lessons
- What + and – mean in betting
- What +125 and -125 odds mean
- What +1000 and -1000 odds mean
- +2.5 and -2.5 point spread
- +7 and -7 point spread
- 3 Game Parlay Bet Payout
- 5 Game Parlay Bet Payout
- 3-Way Moneyline
- +1.5 and -1.5 run line
- +1.5 and -1.5 puck line
- PK Point Spread Line
- Asian Handicap Lines
- What a Push Means
- Alternate Betting Lines
- “No Action” Bet
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Sports Betting Resources
- How to Read Sports Betting Odds – Our helpful tutorial explains what the numbers mean for point spread, moneyline, total, and Asian Handicap bets.
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- Parlay Bet – Combine multiple selections into one bet that returns a huge payout if all your selections were correct. We explain how parlay bets work and provide common parlay payout tables.
- Progressive Parlay Bet – Also known as a “Close Call Parlay”, this parlay variant can win even if one or more of selections lose. Our article describes this bet in detail.
- Parlay Card Betting – Parlay cards are issued by major sportsbooks midweek, allowing bettors to make multiple point spread, total, and prop bet selections that can return big payouts. Not to be confused with an “off the board” parlay!
- Prop Bets – We explain what a prop bet is, how to place a prop bet, and provide an expansive list of sports leagues with plenty of props to bet on right now.