Why line changes on a hockey games?

Question

In hockey betting, it happens most of the time that a betting line is not static, it keeps on moving. Can you specify the reasons for line changes on a hockey games.

Answer 1

There are three primary reasons why the line will change on a hockey game.

The amount of money bet on one side
When the sports books are getting a lot of action on one team, they will change the line to attract money on the other side to help balance their books. Lines can be moved in terms of the point spread, for football or basketball betting, or the odds will be adjusted for baseball and hockey betting. If the sports books get the same amount of money wagered on each side in a contest, a profit can be assured.

Who bets on one side
Somebody known by sports books to be a winning bettor can cause the odds to change even with a small wager, while somebody unknown to the sports books can make a much larger bet and not affect the odds.

Team personnel movement
The odds will also change if a player, or players, will miss a game and it wasn't factored into the opening line.

Late injuries, suspensions, and illness are the main culprits here.

The Key Line Move in the NHL
The most important line move in the NHL is the first one. A typical sports bettor who wagers on football and basketball games is unlikely to have any idea if an opening line of the Dallas Stars - 130 over the San Jose Sharks is a good number or not. A gambler who is willing to back their opinion with cash and wager against the opening line is generally a sports bettor with an informed opinion. Gamblers who patiently wait for the sports books to release their NHL lines and then pounce right away have opinions that should be respected.

A nationally televised football game can see the line move because the public is all backing one team, while the public generally doesn't bet on the NHL. All line moves should be examined more closely in the NHL than in the other sports, but pay close attention to the first one and that will give you another edge against the sports books, and a sports gambler can never have too many of those.