NHL Highest Scoring Period Betting

Malcolm Darnley

Updated: Mar 28, 2024

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2022-23 NHL Highest Scoring Period Stats

Legend

  • GP: Games played by the team
  • GF P1: Goals scored by the team in 1st period
  • GF OT: Goals scored by the team in overtime
  • GA P1: Goals scored by the team’s opponents in 1st period
  • GA OT: Goals scored by the team’s opponents in overtime
  • League: Average for all the above table headers

What Is NHL Highest Scoring Period Betting?

An NHL hockey game is broken down into three separate 20-minute periods, with the chance for overtime if the game is still tied after 60 minutes of action.

When we are betting on the highest-scoring period, we are trying to determine which of the three periods will have the most combined goals by both teams.

If a game goes into overtime, any goal scored in extra play will not impact this wager. Overtime goals are not included in third-period scoring totals.

If you like this page, you might also enjoy checking out our NHL goalscorer stats page, where you can find all the stats to place your next goalscorer bet.

How Does NHL Highest Scoring Period Work?

A sportsbook will provide odds for all three periods and odds for a tie in case the same amount of goals is scored in two or more periods.

A bettor must determine which period will have the most combined goals scored in it. If they can do so correctly, then they will win their bet.

How NHL Highest Scoring Period Odds Work

There will be four different odds a bettor must look at before placing their NHL highest-scoring period wager.

Example Odds: NY Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes

PeriodOdds
First+360
Second+195
Third+235
Tie+225

In our example game above, we can see that the sportsbook has listed the second period as the “favorite” or the period most likely to have the most goals scored. We know this because the second period has the lowest odds at +195.

Each sportsbook will have its own determination of which period is most likely to have the most amount of combined goals.

Historically, there is not an even amount of goals scored across all three periods, which explains why the odds differ between all of our betting options.

Bettors must factor in close games and empty net opportunities when deciding which period they want to bet.

Using The BestOdds.com NHL Highest Scoring Period Table

The BestOdds.com NHL highest scoring table will provide valuable information for bettors interested in playing this type of wager.

Stats will be broken down into several key categories, benefiting those researching games before placing their bet.

From an individual team perspective, the standings page will document recent and year-long results and home and away trends.

The standings page will also provide a bettor with a unique opportunity to analyze league-wide trends because all 32 NHL teams will be tracked and included.

Looking at league-wide trends before focusing on two teams matched up is a huge benefit for those interested in betting on NHL’s highest-scoring period.

NHL Highest Scoring Period Strategies

One of the interesting strategies around this wager is using odds to determine if the final score is expected to be close by the sportsbooks.

Hockey is different from many sports in that if a game is close towards the end of regulation, teams can alter their strategy and become ultra-aggressive by pulling their goalie in favor of an extra attacker.

The additional attacker is their best chance to score a late goal to force overtime.

At the same time, a team who pulls their goalie for an extra attacker is also at risk of giving up a goal from almost anywhere on the ice.

Games, where a goalie is removed in favor of another offensive player will often have a goal scored that otherwise would not have happened. 

Bettors who recognize this opportunity may want to lean on the third period as the highest-scoring period, as empty net goals can often be the deciding factor.

Shop Around

For many of us who enjoy betting on all kinds of sports, a lot of the enjoyment and fun comes from spending time in the data-science lab, diving through the stats and analytics that help us make our final betting decisions.

Of course, doing your research before placing a bet is always important. However, it has been proven numerous times that a bettor can find the most significant edge by shopping around for the Best Odds available.

PeriodDraftKingsBetMGMFanDuel
First Period+310+330+330
Second Period+210+260+235
Third Period+240+235+210
Draw (Tie)+230N/A+235

Our table above is an excellent example of why shopping around for your Best Odds provides a bettor with their biggest advantage over the sportsbooks.

Of the three sportsbooks we have sourced for our above bet, we can see that the odds vary for all three periods. 

For this specific wager, shopping around for your Best Odds could mean a difference of 25% ROI if a bettor wanted to gamble on the second period being the highest scoring frame.

Throughout an NHL season, a difference of 25% in your overall ROI is significant and could quite easily be the difference between being profitable or not.

Looking for more stats? Check out the NFL Highest Scoring Quarter stats for betting.

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About the author

Malcolm loves to watch all kinds of different sports. He also writes about them.