How to Bet on the PWHL

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is back, and with the increased excitement around the league, there’s never been a better time to get into betting on women’s hockey. Whether you’re a fan of the fast-paced action or you’re looking to expand your sports betting portfolio, this guide will walk you through the basics of betting on the PWHL.

Types of Bets You Can Place on the PWHL

Moneyline Bets

Moneyline betting is the simplest and most popular type of bet, especially for beginners. When you place a moneyline bet, you’re simply betting on which team will win the game. Each team is assigned odds that indicate how much you can win if your prediction is correct.

The matchup between the Toronto Sceptres and Boston Fleet has moneyline odds of Toronto -160 and Boston +130. If you bet on Toronto and they win, you need to bet $160 to win $100. Conversely, if you pick Boston and they win, a $100 bet would earn you $130.

Moneyline bets are great if you want to support your favorite team, or if you think there’s a good underdog opportunity. Keep in mind, the odds reflect each team’s perceived chances of winning, so favorites will require a larger bet to yield smaller returns.

Puck Line Spread Bets

The puck line, or spread, is another popular way to bet on hockey games. With this type of bet, the favored team must win by a certain margin, while the underdog can either win outright or lose by less than the given number for your bet to cash.

Example: In the same Toronto vs. Boston matchup above, the puck line is set at Toronto -1.5 (+185) and Boston +1.5 (-225). If you bet on Toronto, they need to win by at least 2 goals for your bet to win. If you pick Boston, they must either win the game or lose by only 1 goal.

Puck line bets are useful if you believe the favorite will dominate, or if you want some protection by taking the underdog, even if they don’t win outright.

Over/Under (Total) Bets

With over/under bets, also known as total bets, you’re wagering on the total number of goals scored by both teams combined in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and you decide whether the total will go over or under that number.

For Ottawa Charge vs. Montreal Victoire, the over/under is set at 4.5. If you think the game will be a high-scoring affair, you might bet on the over, meaning you believe both teams will score 5 or more goals combined. If you think it will be a defensive battle, you’d bet the under.

Over/under bets are great for those who aren’t sure which team will win, but feel confident about the game dynamics—whether it’s going to be a defensive showdown or an offensive explosion.

PWHL Futures Betting

Futures bets are wagers placed on outcomes that will be decided at a much later date, such as who will win the Walter Cup at the end of the season.

As of now, the odds for winning the Walter Cup are as follows:

In this type of bet, you would place your wager well in advance of the event. Toronto is the favourite, but higher odds on teams like Ottawa mean that if they win, the payout would be much bigger.

Futures are ideal for bettors who have a good sense of how teams are shaping up during the season, or for fans who want to take a long-term stake in their favourite team’s success.

Prop Bets and Novelty Specials

Prop bets allow you to bet on specific events within a game rather than the outcome. These bets can be very exciting, especially for casual fans who want to get into the action.

A novelty special might be, “Will Toronto Sceptres make the playoffs?” with odds set at Yes (-2000) and No (+750). This is a fun way to bet on team performance over the season rather than just individual game results.

Prop bets are usually offered for significant events, such as playoff runs or player milestones, and they add an extra layer of fun for fans who love to follow stats.

How to Get Started

If you’re new to betting, the best way to get started is with simple moneyline bets or prop bets for fun. Over time, as you learn more about the teams and players, you can dive into more complex bets like puck lines and futures. Remember, betting should always enhance your enjoyment of the sport—so start small, stay informed, and enjoy the PWHL action. Click here to get started.