By
eHow Sports & Fitness Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Step1
Bet on which team you think will win. Thanks to the elimination of ties and the game-deciding shootout format, a gambler no longer needs to worry about point spread--just who will win.
Step2
Bet on the underdog by understanding the money line. A money line is the odds of the outcome expressed in terms of money, using "-" and "+" signs. "-" means you need to place that much to win $100, and "+" means you win that much for every $100 placed. So if a team is favored to win with a –110 chance, that means you have to put $110 down to win $100 (if you win). The better the team, the higher that money line. Some teams are up to –500, meaning you'd need to bet $500 just to make a $100 profit if you win. A slight favorite or even an underdog will have higher "+" odds, meaning a higher payout.
Step3
Bet on the team with the stronger goalie. In hockey, the goalie is the most pivotal position. If he can stop the puck from getting past him all the time, the opposing team can't score. If he's all butterfingers, his team is in for a rough night. The team with the better goalie has a better chance of winning.
Step4
Bet on the home team. As in most sports, hockey teams are often on the road, going from one city to the next for games. Traveling teams are typically tired, slower and don't have as much practice time. Therefore, the fresh and practiced home team generally has the advantage.
Step5
Bet on the big guys. There are two types of teams in hockey: finesse teams and strength teams. Finesse teams are fun to watch. They skate more gracefully, make crisper passes and shoot with style. A strength team checks hard, wears their opponent down and just plain brings the pain. Bet on the strength teams.
