The favorite is the team that is expected to win the contest, and conversely, the underdog is the team that is expected to lose. Almost every single game will have a favorite team and an underdog team. NHL moneyline bets simply require a bettor to select the winner of a particular contest. The most common betting types that you will encounter with NHL are: Understanding the various types of NHL bets, and how they payout, is a must before placing a wager with any confidence. We will use the odds table between the Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets as an example throughout this guide. This NHL betting guide will give you the foundational information that you need to understand basic betting terminology, interpret game odds, and utilize moneylines to help you make educated NHL picks each week. If you’re new to sports betting, or specifically NHL betting, our standard odds tables may be a bit overwhelming. Be sure to follow the news if you're in a pending state.Ĭarolina Hurricanes fans, are you ready to start wagering on your home team? North Carolina sports betting will be live beginning January 8, 2024! Understanding NHL Odds There are several states that are in the process of creating or voting on legislation that would legalize mobile sports betting. Legal online sports betting is currently available across 29 states, including Washington, D.C.! You can see the status of sports betting in your state with Action Network's legalization tracker.