Totals (over/under)
A bet on whether the combined score of both teams finishes above or below a number set by the sportsbook.
A total, also called an over/under, ignores who wins. The book posts a number for the combined score and you bet over or under it. NHL totals usually sit at 5.5 or 6.5 goals, with the price on each side adjusted to balance the market. A total ending in .5 cannot push; a whole number like 6 refunds the stake if exactly six goals are scored.
How overtime counts
Most sportsbooks grade NHL totals on the official final score. Overtime goals count, and a shootout win adds one goal to the winning team. A 3-3 game settled in a shootout goes into the books as 4-3, which is seven goals. Check the rules, because some books also offer regulation-only totals.
Worked example
Over 6.5 goals at -115, Under 6.5 at -105 (illustrative).
- $46 on the over: profit is $46 × 100 / 115 = $40. A 4-3 final (seven goals) wins.
- $42 on the under: profit is $42 × 100 / 105 = $40. A 4-2 final (six goals) wins.
The implied probabilities are 53.5% and 51.2%, which adds to 104.7% (see overround).
Team totals
Many books also post a total for one team only, such as over 3.5 goals for the home side. These follow the same rules and are often used inside a same-game parlay.