The Ice Hockey Money Line
The money line is the simplest ice hockey bet — a straight pick on who wins, no handicap attached. Here is how it is priced and why it dominates a low-scoring sport like this one.
How the money line works
You back one team to win the game outright. No goals start, no handicap — just the result. Each side carries its own price: a strong favourite pays a short return, a live underdog a much bigger one, and the gap between them reflects how the sportsbook rates the match-up. If your team wins, the bet pays at the odds you took; if it loses, it does not. The how betting odds work guide covers how those prices translate to returns.
Why it dominates ice hockey
Ice hockey is low-scoring, and a huge share of games are decided by a single goal — which makes the straight winner a genuine contest even when one side is favoured, and keeps the money line the most-played market. When you fancy a favourite to win comfortably, the puck line stretches the price by asking for a two-goal margin; when you have read on the goals, the over/under totals market is the play. Start here, though — the Ice Hockey betting guide shows where the money line sits, and the ice hockey guide covers the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the money line in ice hockey?
A straight bet on which team wins the game, with no handicap. Each side has its own price — short for a favourite, longer for an underdog — and the bet pays at the odds you took if your team wins.
Why is the money line so popular in ice hockey?
Because the sport is low-scoring and so many games turn on a single goal, the straight winner stays a real contest even with a favourite. That keeps the money line the most-played ice hockey market.