Puck line and odds

What the puck line and other odds say about a game, with sample numbers and the math shown.

How the puck line works

The puck line is usually set at 1.5 goals. The favorite gets minus 1.5 and must win by 2 or more goals to cover.

The underdog gets plus 1.5 and covers by winning the game or by losing by just 1 goal. The extra half goal stops any tie on the line, so one side covers in every game.

A sample line

This sample shows one game as an app or TV graphic might list it. Team A is the favorite at minus 1.5, with an odds number of plus 140.

Team B is the underdog at plus 1.5, with an odds number of minus 165.

If Team A wins 4 to 1, the gap is 3 goals and Team A covers. If Team A wins 3 to 2, the gap is 1 goal and Team B covers.

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The full guide What does the puck line mean in hockey? has the sample table, eight final scores and a free decoder.