Mistakes in any business can cost money – this is particularly true of gambling where just one error could cause irreparable damage to your bankroll.
Understanding and avoiding mistakes are the keys to remaining profitable in betting on NHL hockey, so in this article we’ll be exploring seven common NHL Betting Mistakes as well as ways to avoid them.
Inaccurate Statistics
Hockey bettors face the issue of inaccurate statistics as it can lead to poor betting decisions. When one website or media source publishes inaccurate stats it quickly spreads throughout the industry and fans.
For instance, the NHL provides shot location data that is inaccurate. This has caused frustration among both fans and analysts who rely on it in their models, something highlighted recently by EvolvingWild twins.
Another issue related to arena hit bias: teams such as Chicago and Carolina typically see significantly more hits per game when they are playing at home compared to when playing away, something bettors can avoid by reviewing stats before placing their bets.
Not Checking the Lines
Ice hockey betting provides plenty of opportunities for bettors, particularly puck lines and total goals markets which allow players to wager on how many goals are scored during a match NHL consensus picks.
Unfortunately, many bettors fail to review the lines, which can cost them money. Selecting an incorrect line can result in losses when betting against the spread.
Bettors frequently make the mistake of neglecting home and away trends in NHL betting strategies. Every team experiences ups and downs throughout 82 regular season games; paying attention to these fluctuations could make all the difference in your strategy.
Not Checking the Lineups
When betting on hockey games, it’s essential not to become preoccupied with team favorites. While they might have the greatest chance at victory, that doesn’t guarantee their victory each and every time.
Lineups provide a great visual of how many opportunities players will have – this is particularly useful when looking at top lines who typically see more minutes on the ice.
Care should also be given when considering how a team’s defensive pairings are assembled. When they have a significant advantage, teams may shorten their bench to ensure their most skilled defensemen remain active on the ice – this can have an enormous effect on how much offense is generated by both sides.
Not Taking Fatigue into Account
As teams experience fatigue during an 82-game regular season, specific team trends also play a huge role in game outcomes. When betting totals on matches, power play and penalty kill tendencies must be carefully taken into account.
Betting on the NHL is an exciting way to add some spice to the action and offers a range of wagers, such as money line bets, puck line bets and over/under bets. Furthermore, bettors may place event bets like hat tricks or shootouts, which often occur due to unique events within a game.
Not Taking the Puck Line
The puck line in hockey betting works similarly to point spreads in other sports; it allows bettors to place wagers on whether there will be more or fewer goals scored than predicted by oddsmakers. While this can increase an underdog’s chance of victory or increase payout when betting on an favorite, certain factors must be kept in mind when placing this kind of bet.
One key point to keep in mind when playing in the NHL is that games typically end with either a tie or shootout, and teams often exhibit different playing styles at home and away, as well as after extended breaks or road trips.
Not Taking the Moneyline
When betting against an overly-favored team at bookmakers, it may be tempting to place a bet and hope for the best – however this could end up costing you dearly in the long run.
Betting on the moneyline involves determining its implied market probability and how closely it corresponds with your own estimate of likelihood, before deciding if betting on it is worth its risks.
There are various online resources that provide tracking of closing line value to assist with decision evaluation, helping you avoid repeating past errors.