Betting sites offer betting enthusiasts a few different ways to bet on NHL hockey. Some of them are familiar betting methods and others are specific to the game of hockey. When you get ready to place a bet on your favorite NHL team, make sure you understand the different ways to bet so that you can take advantage of the pay per head sportsbook lines.

Money

Betting on a money line in hockey is just like baseball or any other sport. There is a favorite and an underdog. If the favorite is a -130, then you would need to bet $130 to make $100. If the underdog is a +110, then you would make $110 for every $100 you bet.

Regulation

A hockey game can be broken down into three sections; regulation, overtime and the shootout. In a regulation bet, you are placing a wager on the NHL score after regulation. The odds are given much like football odds in increments of a half of a goal. For example, if the Boston Bruins were favored to beat the Winnipeg Jets in regulation, then the Bruins may be a -1.5 goal favorite to win the game in regulation.

Totals

Totals is a common betting method that applies to most sports. It includes other betting methods such as the over/under. You can bet on the total number of goals a team will score, or you can bet that the total number of goals scored in one game will be over or under a set mark. You can also bet on the number of goals scored by all of the teams for one given day of games.

As the betting sites start lighting up with an increased interest in the NHL, this weekend’s slate of games brings some interesting matchups. According to price per head service news reports, the NHL will be adopting a new structure next year that will eliminate the current conference system. So this will be the last season that some of these teams get a chance to battle for a playoff spot against each other.

Saturday – Buffalo Sabres @ Pittsburgh Penguins

After a lot of posturing and emotional speeches, the Buffalo Sabres are still the same team it was last season. The defense is suspect and the offense cannot score goals. The Sabres have been bitten by the injury bug and have had as many as nine regulars out of the lineup and one point in the season. The Penguins are adjusting to life without captain Sidney Crosby again, but the Pens have a strong lineup that is still one of the best in the league.

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins

Saturday – Los Angeles Kings @ Detroit Red Wings

The Los Angeles Kings’ management had seen enough inconsistency in the team and fired head coach Terry Murray. But the Kings will need more than a new head coach to beat the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit has figured out its defensive issues and is currently on a three-game winning streak.

Pick: Detroit Red Wings

Sunday – Calgary Flames @ Chicago Blackhawks

This will be a better game than most people would expect as the Flames have been playing some very good hockey lately. In its last 10 games, the Flames are 6-3-1. But that might not be enough to counteract the three-game winning streak that the Chicago Blackhawks have been riding lately.

Pick: Chicago Blackhawks

The NHL schedule has some potential playoff contenders facing off this weekend along with some teams that are clinging to their playoff chances. There have been some teams bolstered by a coaching change while other new coaches are finding it difficult to grab that first win. Let’s take a look at some of the marquee games coming up this weekend in the NHL.

Saturday – Toronto Maple Leafs @ Boston Bruins

The betting sites are working overtime trying to keep up with the goal-scoring pace of the Toronto Maple Leafs. But the Boston Bruins finally have their punishing defense in place and that should be the major difference in this battle of the top teams in the Northeast Division.

Betting Pick: Boston Bruins

Saturday – Montreal Canadiens @ Los Angeles Kings

This is a game that can really confuse the bookie software that many of the betting websites use. The Canadiens are the most unpredictable team in the NHL, while the Kings are trying to avoid being labeled as under-achievers. Something is going to have to give between these two teams and it could very well be that the visitors pull off another of its mysterious great performances.

Betting Pick: Montreal Canadiens

Sunday – Minnesota Wild @ Anaheim Ducks

The Minnesota Wild are the best team in the NHL, but they are facing an Anaheim team that is rejuvenated at the arrival of new head coach Bruce Boudreau. The Ducks are scoring goals while the Wild is not. That is what will decide this game in the end.

Betting Pick: Anaheim Ducks

Saturday November 19: Detroit Red Wings @ Los Angeles Kings

The online betting sites are starting to recognize that the Pacific Division could be the most competitive division in the NHL this year. But the Los Angeles Kings are going to need to start picking up the pace if it wants to stay at the top of the Pacific Division. The Detroit Red Wings thought its struggles would be over once goaltender Jimmy Howard came back. But the Red Wings are still slumping and falling further down in the standings.

Pick: Los Angeles Kings

Saturday November 19: Washington Capitals @ Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are still battling with the Buffalo Sabres for the lead in the Northeast Division, which is a relief to Leafs’ fans who are used to the team being in the basement by now. The price per head bookmaking experts see the Washington Capitals leading the Southeast Division, but the Capitals are not dominating like it did last year and have been struggling as of late.

Pick: Washington Capitals

Saturday November 19: St. Louis Blues @ Minnesota Wild

The St. Louis Blues are finally on a roll with a record of 6-3-1 in the last 10 games which includes a two-game winning streak. The Minnesota Wild are starting to pull away in the Northwest Division and are riding a two-game winning streak of their own. The keys to winning for both St. Louis and Minnesota are defense and goaltending. This will be a good game that the Wild should win.

Pick: Minnesota Wild

Tonight, Breeders Cup betting enthusiasts will be able to wager on some of the best young teams across the NHL. There are eight games on the schedule tonight, and although it is early, fans can expect bookie software agents to be watching all eight games with a keen interest. For the purpose making the best picks possible, we will only be looking at a couple of games for tonight’s action. Here are our nightly NHL picks.

Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings – The revamped Edmonton Oilers have an uncanny mix of youth and veterans that are giving fans in Alberta hope they will see their favorite team make the playoffs. Edmonton has had much success early in the year, going seven – two – two through the first 11 games of the regular season. What’s most impressive is that the Oilers are receiving balanced scoring from three of the four lines, while also taking on outstanding goaltending. Rookie phenom Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is proving to be the center that sophomore Taylor Hall needed a year ago, as RNH is already a point a game player. Yesterday, RNH was named rookie of the month for October as he had 11 points in 11 games.

Meanwhile, the LA Kings are no slouches either, having gone six- three – two to open the season. The Kings as always are led by goalie duo John Quick and John Bernier, along with star center Anze Kopitar. Unfortunately, with former King turned Oiler Ryan Smyth scoring 10 points in 11 games, it looks as though Edmonton should take this game over LA.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets – The Maple Leafs will be looking to turn misfortune into success in the second game of a back to back for the first time this season. Toronto has struggled in the second games this season, losing in convincing fashion, after showing strong efforts in the first games. Yet, when facing a team such as Columbus, the Leafs should be able to come away with a victory. Especially with the return of star goalie James Reimer, who has missed two weeks due to whiplash.

Now that the NHL preseason is over, teams and fans can focus on the regular season and get the 2011-2012 campaign underway. Very little is really decided in the preseason as most coaches use preseason to look at players that will probably spend the majority of the season in the minors. But some teams showed significant improvement over last year, and the depth on display in the preseason could spell good things for the teams to watch for in the NHL.

Buffalo Sabres

Sports betting online hockey fans were a little frustrated that the Sabres did not play its entire starting lineup together during the preseason. It looked like head coach Lindy Ruff split up his starters and some would play on one night while others played the next game. But what was on the ice was extremely impressive. Newly acquired defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Robin Regher looked comfortable in the Sabres’s system, but third-year star Tyler Myers still looks a little shaky. Ville Leino is being played as a winger and center, but will likely start the season as a center. Overall the Sabres looked strong and should be a playoff contender this season.

Winnipeg Jets

The Atlanta Thrashers were on the verge of becoming a playoff team. Once the team moved to Winnipeg, the playoff push really picked up steam. The price per head sports fans in Winnipeg may not have to wait very long to see playoff success as the young players and veterans on the Winnipeg roster looked very impressive in preseason play.

Nashville Predators

Even though Nashville lost several key players after its playoff run last season, the youth being brought in to fill vacant spots looks impressive. The Predators are expected to be a playoff team again this year and showed no signs of slowing down in the preseason.

Fans bet on sports for the competition and the thrill of winning. Athletes who have had a long and successful career often do not know when it is time to hang up the skates or refuse to accept the fact that their careers may be over. As we enter the 2011-2012 NHL season, there are two players who should strongly consider taking pride in their great careers and riding off into the sunset of retirement.

Chris Osgood – Goalie

When online casino hockey fans in Detroit were unhappy with rookie goaltender Jimmy Howard two years ago, veteran Chris Osgood tried to come in to save the day. The last time Osgood did that, he displaced Dominick Hasek and took the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup win. But two years ago, it did not work out that way. Howard was quickly reinstated as the Detroit goaltender and Osgood has been on the bench ever since. After three Stanley Cup championships, it may be time for Osgood to move on in his life and retire.

Mike Modano – Forward

Mike Modano is a legend in Dallas and throughout American hockey. The Detroit Red Wings have given Modano a hockey home the past couple of seasons, but it may be time for the 41-year-old American-born player to hang up the skates. A couple of teams have expressed interest in Modano, but the high salary he will command will scare most of those teams away. While Modano is still considered to be on top, he should consider spending his time getting bass fishing advice as opposed to trying to squeeze one more season out his great career.

A rookie in the NHL is someone who has not played 25 games per year in the previous two NHL seasons and is under the age of 26. Many hockey fans that bet on sports could name several players with rookie status that will could make an impact in the 2011-2012 season. But a look at the potential impact players from the 2011 draft shows some young kids that have promise already.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers have a horrible history of bringing young rookies up way too soon and destroying player development. But Ryan Nugent-Hopkins should be a different story. This kid was ready for the NHL the day he was drafted. Nugent-Hopkins will spend some time in the minors, but it will not be very long before is in Edmonton playing for the big team.

Adam Larsson – New Jersey Devils

Online casino hockey fans are curious to see of the big, young defenseman from Sweden will decide to play in the NHL for the 2011-2012 season. The Devils need skaters on defense, and Larsson fits that bill perfectly. If he decides to give the NHL a go, he should be an impact starter right away.

Mika Zibanejad – Ottawa Senators

Ottawa is in such disarray that any good player will be welcomed by the team with open arms. Zibanejad is a decent-sized center that can skate and has a great presence on the ice. He also has to decide if he wants to make the jump from Sweden to the NHL. If he does, he could be an important part in the rebuilding of the Senators.

The sports betting world does not get much of a rest from the NHL. The Stanley Cup is awarded in June, and then the online casino NHL preseason starts up again in September. That means that we do not have a lot of time to talk about the 2011-2012 Stanley Cup predictions; so let’s get started.

Boston Bruins

So long as Tim Thomas is the goalie in Boston, and Zdeno Chara monitors the blue line, you have to consider the Bruins contenders. Will Boston be able to defend its Stanley Cup title in 2011-2012? It all depends on how much offense the team picks up in free agency and prior to the trade deadline.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Mario Lemieux made the wise move of not bringing Jaromir Jagr back to Pittsburgh. Jagr would have upset a chemistry that has taken years to create. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin coming back for the 2011-2012 season, the Penguins have to be considered the top contender for the Stanley Cup.

Los Angeles Kings

Did adding Mike Richards to the Kings’ roster make Los Angeles a Cup contender? The Western Conference is wide open in 2011-2012 with no clear-cut favorite. The Kings get Anze Kopitar back from injury and could be a team to deal with when it comes around to playoff time.

San Jose Sharks

The Vancouver Canucks look like it is sticking with the same formula that brought it regular season success but playoff failure. That means that the Sharks can make some changes that will vault them past Vancouver and into the Western Conference driver’s seat. San Jose will spend a while looking at its goaltending situation as it was the poor play of Antti Niemi that contributed to the Sharks playoff failures last year. San Jose is only one or two players away from being a legitimate Cup contender.

The sports betting world loves the free agency signing period in just about any sport, but it seems to have taken on a holiday-like atmosphere with the NHL. While some sports fans were MLB baseball betting, others were watching NHL free agency signings very closely. Here is a list of the teams that seemed to have gained the most.

Buffalo Sabres

New Sabres’ owner Terry Pegula promised moves to make the team a contender, and he is trying to deliver. The Sabres went from one of the worst defensive units in the league to one of the best with the signings of Robyn Regher and Christian Ehrhoff. The more curious signing was giving $4.7 million a year to former Flyers forward Ville Leino. If the move pays off, the Sabres could be starting on the road to Stanley Cup contention.

New York Rangers

The Rangers made the biggest splash in signing forward Brad Richards, but the Richards signing overshadowed a series of good moves made by the Rangers. Forward Ruslan Fedotenko, forward Mike Rupp, defensman Michael Sauer and center Artem Anisimov could make for a very interesting Rangers team in 2011-2012.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues keep plugging away at their team, and they have made two free agent signings that went unnoticed, but could help St. Louis contend this season. Forwards Jason Arnott from Washington and Jamie Langenbrunner from the Dallas Stars are now St. Louis Blues. That will definitely help the Blues’ offense generate more points. St. Louis fans hope it will be enough to push St. Louis into a playoff spot in 2011-2012.