Ice Hockey Betting Strategy: In-Play Betting

With a sport as fast and furious as ice hockey, casual bettors would be forgiven for thinking in-play betting was too tough a task. In actual fact, it's a matter of understanding the rhythm of the sport and, like all in-play sports, knowing a team's strengths and weaknesses.
Form Reading
The first thing to say about in-play betting in ice hockey is that the pace does make it difficult to bet when you're only armed with stats. A good knowledge of form can be useful with the most basic markets - for example, some teams prove experts at fighting losing battles.
In November/December 2013, the Boston Bruins staged impressive comebacks against Pittsburgh, the Rangers, Carolina and Columbus, giving stats gamblers the ideal opportunity to make good use of the 'money line' for these occasional, big wins. Likewise, the 'game total' markets are fertile ground for regular high or low scoring teams.
Individual Stats
Factoring in individual stats can help make decisions too. The one piece of advice on offer here is that bettors shouldn't be blinded by points stats.
A line that's firing on all cylinders is dangerous and worth knowing, but the most important individual stats come from the goaltenders, who can really make a difference. Build their form into decisions on the 'puck line' and goal markets, and there is potential for pure stats players.
Watching Live
For a much better overview of the game, however, it's best to watch them live. That doesn't mean you have to be at the game – some providers allow users to watch most ice hockey matches (including from the NHL) directly from their betting console.
Watching live will help you to gauge momentum shifts and spot strugglers, but the simplest approach, particularly for those who are new to the sport, is to watch for line changes and power plays.
Line Changes
Line changes are important because in ice hockey the lines are the core of the strategy - a team's 'first line' generally contains its most skillful players.
When these guys are on the ice, betting on a goal for a specific team is a much more pressing consideration, particularly if the opposition haven't got their checking line (their tough guys) or their top defensive pairing out against them.
Getting to know which lines perform best in which context can really help net decent wins in more immediate and high reward markets like the next goal or 'race to' markets.
Knowing these discrepancies can be valuable, and shows us that the most productive betting strategies involve both stats and up-to-date match information. The stats are an important backdrop to a live game, and staying in touch with the line changes and penalties opens up some lucrative markets that require quick responses.
Test it out for yourself with top ice hockey bookmakers!
Recommended Betting Sites
- 1
Bet £15, Get £10
- 2
Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets + £10 Casino Bonus Promo Code: 30FB
Minimum deposit of £10 using deposit code 30FB - A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 placed on any sports market - Minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) - Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days - Free bet stakes not included in returns - Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Wagering req. vary by game • Withdrawal restrictions and Full T&C’s apply - Full Terms Apply - 3
£40 Welcome Bonus
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+. New depositing players on STSbet.co.uk only. Promotion from 11/02/2020 until further notice. First deposit min £10. Qualifying bet: min. £10 accumulator bet with at least two selections with min odds of 1/2 (1.50) per selection. Bonus: 50% of the amount of the first bet. Max. bonus £40. Min. 6x wagering with bonus on min odds of 1/2 (1.50) before withdrawal. Deposit method restrictions. Bonus valid for 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org - 4
Bet £20, Get £10
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+ New Customers Only. Minimum Deposit and wagering on sport to activate the Free Bet is £20. Customers who deposit using Neteller, Paysafe, Skrill or Skril 1-Tap will not be eligible for any free bet offer.BeGambleaware.org - 5
Bet £20, Get £10 in Free Bets
- 6
Double the Odds, Paid in Cash
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+ New Customers Only. Bet must be placed using real money in combination with the Odds Boost Token. Offer applies to Sport bets only. Maximum total stake is £10. Each way bets are a maximum of £5 each way (£10 total stake). Customers have 60 days after registration to use the Odds Boost token. T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org - 7
Bet £10, Get £10 Free Bet
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply New players only. The qualifying bets to claim the Free Bet must have minimum odds of 3/1 (4.00) or higher and must be settled before triggering free bet. 18+. begambleaware.org - Full Terms Apply - 8
Bet £10, Get a £15 Free Bet
- 9
Bet £10, Get £10
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. Full T&Cs apply. - 10
Bet £10, Get £10 in Free Bets
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+. New UK customers only. Min bet £10 to receive £10 Free Bet (placed and settled 35 days from registration). Min odds of 3/5. Free Bet credited at qualifying bet settlement and placed within 35 days. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly, www.begambleaware.org - Full Terms Apply
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.