NHL Prop Bets

NHL - Portrait with a hockey player in blue jersey.

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NHL prop bets give hockey fans a way to move beyond traditional wagers like moneylines or puck lines. “Instead of simply picking winners, props focus on player and team performance. You might wager on goals, assists, saves, shots on goal, or even whether a game goes to overtime. For a broader look at how sportsbooks structure these markets, visit our betting hub.

With 82 regular-season games plus the playoffs, the NHL offers constant opportunities for props. These markets add extra excitement, bring a fantasy-style element to betting, and can reward those who study player usage, matchups, and advanced stats.

What Are NHL Prop Bets?

Prop bets are wagers not directly tied to the game’s final outcome. Instead you are betting on certain outcomes within the game. These can come of in two types:

  • Player props – These are wagers on a player’s performance.
  •  Team/game props – These are bets on a teams performance or outcomes within the game not specifically tied to winning or losing.

With a season of 82 games plus the playoffs, the NHL can be fertile ground for prop bets throughout much of the year. NHL prop bets can add some entertainment punch to a bettor’s betting menu and they have become very popular as fans follow the action on the ice.

Types of NHL Prop Bets

Here’s a deeper look at the types of prop bets available to hockey bettors.

Player Props

In a typical NHL game, players have numerous prop bets to choose from. Player props focus on an individual player’s statistics throughout a game. Here are a few examples.

  • Shots on goal (over/under)
  • Goals scored
  • Assists
  • Total points scored
  • Goalie saves.
  • Power play/penalty kill contributions

These player-focused wagers are some of the fastest-growing markets in hockey. For a deeper breakdown of how props compare to moneylines and totals, check out our NHL betting guide.

Team Props

When making an NHL prop bet, bettors can also wager on a team’s statistics as well. Here are a few examples.

  • Total team goals
  • First team to score
  • Period-specific scoring props.
  • Special teams performance (power play goals, penalty kill success)

Game/Event Props

Some NHL prop bets focus on specific game events that involve both teams. Here are a few of those.

  • Total penalties in a game
  • First goal scorer
  • Will there be overtime?
  • Winning margin exact predictions

How NHL Prop Bets Work

Odds for prop bets don’t have the same setup as betting point spreads and Moneylines. They are generally listed as yes/no or over/under types of bets with the bettor making a pick.

For example, take a matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Detroit Red Wings. A prop bet on total points scored might list a few top picks like this:

  • Nikita Kucherov – 2+ points, +140
  • Jake Guentzel – 1+ points, -175

A bet on Kucherov to score more than 2 points would pay out $140 on a $100 bet. A bet on Guentzel to score more than a single point would pay $175 on a $100 wager. There are numerous other player props usually available on goals, assists, goalie stats, and more.

For team props, you might have several options. When looking at the above matchup, these options were also available for team total goals for the Red Wings.

Over 0.5 −2800Under 0.5 +1000
Over 1.5 −410Under 1.5 +275
Over 2.5 −145Under 2.5 +105
Over 3.5 +165Under 3.5 −225
Over 4.5 +360Under 4.5 −575
Over 5.5 +800Under 5.5 -1800


Notice that payouts differ for goal total. Hockey can be a high-variance game due to low scoring and goalie influence. However, shutouts are also fairly rare. Bettors must weigh these considerations when making team prop bets.

In the scenario above, a $100 bet on the Red Wings getting shut out – scoring less 0.5 goals – would pay out $1,000. On the other hand, betting on Detroit to score over 5.5 goals would pay out $800 on a $100 bet.

These are just a few examples of the types of prop bets you would find on a typical NHL game. Tracking shifts in pricing is key, just like it is with traditional wagers. See our latest NHL odds to compare how props sit alongside standard betting lines.

Popular NHL Prop Betting Markets

Now that you have the basics, here’s a quick look at some of the prop bets.

  • Shots on goal – You are betting on the number of shots by an individual player or team. For example, the shot total of Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid might be listed at 3.5 with a payout of +155. If McDavid hits four shots, you’d then win $155. While top scorers regularly post four to six shots per game, this can still vary quite a bit depending on the opponent and the player.
  • Goalie save props – This is a prop bet based on the number of saves by a goalie. How this turns out can be impacted by an opponent’s shot volume. A less-than-high octane offense might not provide enough shots to reach the total required.
  • First goal scorer – A wager like this comes with higher risk and is part of the long-odds market. A first goal score bet may come with odds of +1000. Similar wagers are available for an individual team’s first scorer or a player to score a goal any time during the game.
  • Player points/assists – This is another betting option based on individual results. Bettors are looking for consistency from playmakers when making these bets.
  • Power play points – Facing a team that takes a lot of penalties against an opponent with a strong power play? This may be a wise NHL prop betting option in that scenario. These bets are highly influenced by an opponent’s penalty record.

Strategies for Betting NHL Props

Like any regular betting routine, taking a deep look at matchups and statistics is key when trying to book some winning prop bets. Here are a few quick tips when considering some of your own selections.

  • Study player usage and ice time – These kinds of statistics can offer some critical insight on how a player might perform.
  • Factor in the opponent’s defense and goalie – A top goal or defensive unit can have a major factor on a game. This may limit goal production by an opponent or individual player.
  • Monitor line combinations and injuries – Individual offensive and defensive units in hockey are made up of “lines” that rotate in and out of the game together. How these lines are put together can influence scoring. A player moved to the top line may have better scoring prospects than being on the fourth line because he will now be with some of the team’s other top scorers.
  • Use advanced stats like expected goals (xG) and Corsi/Fenwick – These are hockey metrics that measure things like quality of a scoring chance, puck possession, and shot attempts. Using these insights can all help in gauging a player’s performance.
  • Track special teams efficiency – Teams’ stats on power plays and penalty killing can help determine a player’s or team’s success on special teams. Also, pay attention to individual scorers’ performance on the power play as well.
  • Manage bankroll carefully — Prop bets can come with significant variance and that should be taken into account when making these wagers. Don’t bet too much of your bankroll on NHL prop bets to help minimise your risk.

NHL Prop Bets vs Traditional NHL Betting

What makes making prop bets a nice option instead of traditional NHL betting? Beyond simply some additional entertaining bets, there are some other reasons to consider these wagers.

Variety of Outcomes

Prop bettors will have a wider set of betting angles to choose from. There is seemingly a prop bet for every possible game scenario.

Statistical Focus

Props are data-driven vs win/loss focus. Those who really enjoy diving into NHL statistics may like making prop bets and possibly be able to find an edge.

Risk/Reward Differences

Unlike simply betting on teams, prop bets come with more volatility. That means these bets can also come with higher payouts. Bettors are rewarded more for their risk.

Niche Market Advantage

Props may feature wagers that are lesser-known than traditional NHL betting. This offers some value for savvy bettors. Sharp bettors can find edges to help cash in.

Are NHL Prop Bets Worth It?

Whether prop bets should be part of someone’s betting routine is certainly up to that individual person. However, these bets can not only be entertaining as you actually watch the game, but can also be a complementary addition to some of your other bets. Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of NHL prop bets.

  • Advantages: flexibility, unique betting angles, DFS (daily fantasy sports) crossover value, can find higher payouts, numerous options.
  • Challenges: higher variance, less liquidity, odds may shift sharply.

Conclusion: Are NHL Prop Bets Worth It?

NHL prop bets give hockey fans a unique way to engage with the game beyond just final scores. By focusing on player and team performance, props offer more variety, better entertainment value, and opportunities to uncover edges where markets are less efficient. While they do carry higher variance and often smaller limits, prop betting can be a smart complement to traditional NHL wagers if approached with discipline, data, and bankroll management.

TL;DR – NHL Prop Bets

  • What they are: Wagers on player or team performance (shots, goals, saves, points, etc.), not just the game result.
  • Why bet them: Props offer variety, DFS-style engagement, and chances for higher payouts.
  • Challenges: Higher variance, smaller limits, sharper line moves.
  • Winning approach: Track ice time, line combos, advanced stats (xG, Corsi/Fenwick), and opponent matchups.
  • Best use: Add props as a fun and strategic complement to your standard NHL bets, especially during the playoffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are NHL prop bets?

These are wagers based on player or team performance within a game. These can range from goals and assists to goalie saves and points scored. Bettors can also bet on individual game scenarios as well, such as team goals scored.

What is the difference between player props and team props?

When making player props, you are betting on the individual player’s performance during a game. On a team prop, you are betting you are betting on how a certain team performs statistically in the matchup.

Which NHL prop bets are most popular?

Prop bets on player performance, such as goals, assists, points scored, shots on goal, and goalie saves tend to be some of the most popular options. Team prop bets on goals and other similar stats can also be popular with bettors.

Are NHL prop bets available in the playoffs?

Absolutely. The NHL playoffs have some of the most exciting matchups and plenty of action on the ice in best-of-seven series. Prop bets are especially popular during the postseason as more fans zero in on the league.

Do sportsbooks limit NHL prop bets?

Yes, sportsbooks may have lower limits on these types of wagers to help manage risk and maintain profitability. 

Are NHL prop bets good for beginners?

These are certainly easy to make and beginners may enjoy making a few NHL prop bets. But generally to be successful, it helps to have some real insight on the league and player and team statistics.