The NHL Lockout during the 2004-2005 season created many rule changes above the ice and the gambler was affected by one of those changes. The elimination of ties and the new shootout format to decide games has thus ended the point spread in hockey and instead created the moneyline. Hockey is now like baseball, where you just have to win the game and do not have to worry about covering a spread.

Unlike baseball, the moneyline in dealing with Hockey Odds is based on the strength of the team in whole, and not just the strength of today's starting pitcher. But hockey is similar to baseball in that a big favorite may force you to lay 2-1 odds, instead of the traditional -110 that can be found in football and basketball. With the talent gap wide between teams in the 2005-2006 season, the favorites have risen and some have reached the -500 mark. This would mean, one would have to bet $500 on a favorite and if the team won the game, one would collect a total of $600, making a profit of just $100, or 20 percent of your investment. I would avoid laying the big of number because everybody in this league is a professional and anything can happen on a given night.

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I feel that the best way to beat hockey is to play slight favorites or underdogs. If you play underdogs, you just have to break even in the W-L column to produce a profit. An example would be playing two teams at +130, and betting $100 on each team. If you would win one game and lose one game, you would make a profit or $30.

The following is a list of key factors to look for when making a wager:

1) Who is between the pipes for the two teams playing. A goalie is the single most important player on the ice and his performance translates to the success of a team on that night. Often times favorable situations occur when a back-up goalie gets the start. I would encourage you to check local papers each day for any information about who will be starting in net.

2) Teams playing consecutive games on the road. This is one of the best spots to play a home team when the visitors played the night before in a different city. They do not often get into town until early the next morning and usually do not schedule a practice in order to keep the legs fresh. Usually the visitors come in tired and slow and it affects their performance. Go against them teams and you will earn a profit.

3) Strength vs. Finesse Teams. As in any sports, defense wins and hockey is no different. While a finesse team makes crisp passes and is fun to watch, they usually do not win games against a hard checking physical team.