Handicap betting in hockey shifts the playing field-literally. Instead of picking a straight winner, you give one team a goal advantage or disadvantage before the match even starts. This approach levels the odds when teams are mismatched in strength. A -1 handicap means a team needs to win by two goals for your bet to cash. A +1 handicap gives an underdog team an extra goal in your calculations, so they can lose by one and still cover the spread.
Canadian sportsbooks use handicap betting extensively because hockey’s low-scoring nature makes it ideal for this format. Games often end 2-1 or 3-2, so a single goal can swing the outcome of your bet dramatically. The format appeals to experienced bettors who understand team dynamics and want to find value beyond simple moneyline wagers.
What Exactly Is Handicap 0 in Hockey Betting?
Handicap 0, also called a draw no bet or a push, means you’re essentially betting on a team to win without any goal adjustment. Your stake gets refunded if the game ends in a tie. This sounds simple, but the mechanics matter for your bottom line.
When you place a hockey handicap 0 bet on a team, that team must win the match outright in regulation time. If the score is tied after 60 minutes, your bet pushes and you get your original money back. Some sportsbooks extend this to include overtime and shootouts, depending on the specific rules they’ve set for that market. In the NHL, most handicap 0 bets are settled after regulation, not including overtime results.
The odds on a handicap 0 bet sit between moneyline odds and spread odds. A favored team might have -110 odds on the moneyline but -140 odds on a handicap 0 bet, since tying is now removed as a losing outcome. This makes handicap 0 particularly useful when you want better odds than a standard moneyline but more certainty than a full spread.
Canadian sportsbooks like DraftKings, BetVictor, and Bet365 consistently offer handicap 0 bets on major NHL games. The bet type works across all leagues-AHL, WHL, and even international competitions.
What Does Handicap +1 Mean for Hockey Bets?
Handicap +1 gives the selected team an extra goal before the game starts. If you bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs at handicap +1 and they lose 2-1, your bet wins because with the added goal, the final score becomes 2-2 for betting purposes. The team can lose by one goal or win outright, and you collect your winnings.
This is the classic underdog bet format in hockey. When the odds favor one team heavily, sportsbooks attract action on the underdog by offering a goal. A team with -300 moneyline odds might have -110 odds at handicap +1, making it far more appealing to bettors who think the favorite will have a close game.
The reverse applies with negative handicaps. Handicap -1 means your chosen team needs to win by two goals. If the Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 with a -1 handicap bet, that doesn’t cover because they only won by one. You’d need a 3-1, 4-2, or larger margin to win.
Many Canadian bettors combine handicap +1 bets with other wagers in parlay bets. A two-game parlay with both teams at handicap +1 requires both to either win or lose by exactly one goal for the parlay to hit. The payout multiplies accordingly, which attracts bettors seeking bigger returns.
The Practical Difference Between Handicap 0 and Handicap +1
The key separation comes down to tied games and team selection. With handicap 0, a tie means your bet voids and you lose nothing. With handicap +1, a tie still loses because the team must either win or lose by exactly one goal. A 2-2 tie after regulation gives you nothing on a +1 handicap bet.
This distinction affects which bet you choose. If you strongly believe a favorite team will win but want better odds than moneyline betting offers, handicap 0 removes the tie scenario and improves your odds slightly. You’re essentially saying the team will win, period, but you don’t want to pay full moneyline price.
If you see value in an underdog facing a strong opponent, handicap +1 is your tool. The underdog gets a free goal. You’re wagering that the favorite won’t dominate by two or more goals. This happens regularly in hockey because even strong teams struggle against competent opposition.
The profit margins differ too. A $100 bet at handicap 0 with -110 odds returns $190.91 total ($90.91 profit) if it wins. The same $100 at handicap +1 might be -130, returning $176.92 total ($76.92 profit). You pay for the extra security with a lower payout, a trade-off every bettor must weigh.
When to Use Handicap 0 Bets
Handicap 0 works best when you have strong conviction about a team’s ability to win outright. Use it when a favorite is facing an opponent they should clearly beat. A top-tier team playing a rebuilding team, for example, warrants a handicap 0 bet rather than moneyline. You get better odds than moneyline, and the tie protection matters less because the favorite should win anyway.
It’s also useful in playoff scenarios where weaker teams rarely pull upsets. During the Stanley Cup playoffs, the better-seeded or higher-ranked team wins the majority of games, especially in the first round. A handicap 0 bet on the stronger team provides improved odds compared to moneyline while reflecting the reality that these games often aren’t close.
Recent form influences the decision. If a team has won five consecutive games and is playing a team on a two-game losing streak, handicap 0 captures that momentum advantage with better payout than moneyline odds. The momentum favorite rarely gets beaten in hockey, so removing the tie scenario and improving your odds makes mathematical sense.
Handicap 0 also applies when you want to parlay multiple games without the complexity of fractional handicaps. A four-game parlay with all handicap 0 bets is straightforward. Each team must win. No push complications or what-if scenarios.
When to Use Handicap +1 Bets
Handicap +1 belongs in your wallet when you’ve identified an underdog team that will play competitively even if they don’t win. This is different from predicting an upset. You’re saying the underdog won’t get blown out and might steal a close game.
Use it against heavy favorites, especially in regular season games where outcomes carry less weight. When the Vancouver Canucks face the Colorado Avalanche and Colorado is a -250 favorite, the Canucks at handicap +1 might be -110. That’s viable if you think Colorado wins by one goal or Vancouver pulls off a minor miracle.
Back-to-back situations also favor handicap +1 betting. A team playing their second game in two nights becomes vulnerable. Their opponent gets a goal in your bet, which offsets the fatigue advantage. If Edmonton plays a back-to-back game at Calgary, Calgary at handicap +1 becomes attractive because Edmonton’s tired legs lower their expected margin of victory.
Playoff matchups between evenly matched teams can justify handicap +1 bets. The first round of the playoffs often features teams within one seed of each other. Wild card teams facing division winners isn’t a massive gap. Handicap +1 on the lower seed acknowledges they can compete without necessarily predicting a win.
Combine handicap +1 bets strategically in parlays. If you like three underdogs but worry about getting swept, a three-team parlay with all at handicap +1 requires only two of three teams to cover. You break even or profit even if one underdog loses by two or more goals.
Reading Odds and Calculating Returns
Canadian sportsbooks display handicap odds in American format (-110, -130, +150) or decimal format (1.91, 1.77, 2.50). Understanding the conversion matters for your bottom line.
American odds of -110 mean you risk $110 to win $100. Decimal odds of 1.91 deliver the same outcome. To convert, use this formula: (decimal odds – 1) x stake + stake = total return. A $100 bet at 1.91 decimal odds returns $191 total, or $91 profit.
For negative American odds, divide 100 by the absolute odds value and add 1. So -110 becomes (100/110) + 1 = 1.909, effectively 1.91 in decimal. Positive American odds like +150 convert by dividing the odds by 100 and adding 1. So +150 becomes (150/100) + 1 = 2.50.
Most Canadian sportsbooks let you toggle between formats in settings. Choose whichever you understand best. Stick with it to avoid mental math errors when placing fast bets during games.
Key Differences in How Sportsbooks Handle Handicaps
Not all Canadian sportsbooks treat handicap 0 identically. Some void the bet if overtime goes to a shootout. Others count the shootout as part of the result. Read the terms carefully before placing your first bet.
DraftKings Canada settles handicap bets on regulation time only unless otherwise specified. Bet365 Canada uses the same rule for most leagues. However, some regional sportsbooks or specific markets might extend settlement to include overtime and the shootout winner. Always check the specific market rules before committing money.
The best approach is to test a small bet first. Place $10 on a handicap 0 bet and see how your chosen sportsbook settles it. This costs nearly nothing but provides certainty for future wagers. Different platforms, different rules. Small bets teach you the landscape.
Combining Handicap Bets for Bigger Returns
Parlay betting with handicaps multiplies your potential winnings but requires all bets to hit. A two-team parlay combining handicap 0 and handicap +1 might look like this: Toronto to win at handicap 0 (-110), and Ottawa to lose by one or less at handicap +1 (+100). If both cover, your original $100 becomes roughly $300 to $350 depending on exact odds.
The risk scales accordingly. If either bet loses, the entire parlay loses. This is why experienced bettors limit parlays to three legs maximum when using handicaps. The math works in the sportsbook’s favor after four or five selections.
Teasers offer another combined approach. Some Canadian sportsbooks allow you to move the handicap line in your favor for all bets in the teaser. Moving every team’s line by +1 goal costs you vig (the sportsbook margin) but gives you better odds. If you add two handicaps, you might move Toronto from 0 to +1 and Ottawa from +1 to +2. The payout drops, but your coverage improves dramatically.
Recognizing Value in Handicap Lines
Value exists when the odds don’t match the probability of an outcome. If sportsbooks are offering handicap +1 on an underdog at -130 but your analysis suggests the underdog covers that line 60% of the time, that’s value. You’re getting paid as if it happens 45% of the time, so you should bet.
Compare multiple sportsbooks before placing large handicap bets. Bet365 might list a handicap 0 line at -120 while DraftKings shows -115. The -115 is objectively better for you. Over dozens of bets, these small differences compound into meaningful profit or loss.
Track closing odds versus opening odds. If a handicap 0 line moves from -115 to -140, sharp bettors have heavily backed that outcome. You might follow them or fade them depending on your information. Market movement signals where the smart money went.
Common Mistakes Canadian Bettors Make
Ignoring home/away splits is a frequent error. A team might be dominant at home but struggle on the road. Betting their handicap 0 line without considering venue costs money. Always check the split records for teams you’re considering.
Betting favorites without proper line shopping is another mistake. You see handicap 0 odds at -130 and immediately place your bet. But another sportsbook offers -120 on the identical outcome. You just left value on the table. Five minutes of comparison shopping adds years to your profitable betting career.
Many bettors also chase losses by moving to riskier handicap bets. You lose two handicap 0 bets and decide to parlay four handicap +1 bets to recover. That’s a path to bigger losses. Stick to your strategy and bet size regardless of recent results.
Misunderstanding overtime rules creates problems too. You placed a handicap 0 bet expecting regulation-only settlement, but the sportsbook settled it including the overtime winner. The team you picked won in regulation but lost in the shootout after a tie at 60 minutes. Your bet lost when you thought it should have pushed. Read rules before betting, not after.
Final Considerations for Canadian Bettors
Hockey handicap betting rewards bettors who understand team dynamics, fatigue, and matchups. Handicap 0 suits situations where you want improved odds on teams you believe will win outright. Handicap +1 targets competitive underdogs who won’t be blown out. Both bets exist for legitimate reasons when applied correctly.
Start with small stakes while learning how your chosen sportsbook settles handicap bets. Move to larger wagers only after you’ve confirmed the rules work as advertised and your selection process generates consistent value. The best edge in Canadian hockey betting comes from disciplined analysis, not from luck or wishful thinking.
