NHL empty-net goals: betting on the pulled goalie
An empty-net goal is scored when the other team has pulled its goalie for an extra skater. The prop asks if one will be scored in a game. Late close games make it more likely.
Reviewed Oct 15, 2026
Answer first
90s- 01Trailing teams pull the goalie.
- 02Most empty-net goals are late.
- 03They can swing totals and puck lines.
Key numbers
Empty nets at a glance
In short
Key takeaways
- Close games bring goalie pulls.
- Coaches pull earlier now.
- Both teams can score.
- Overtime goals with an empty net count.
Progress
How it happens
- 1
Team trails
By 1 or 2 late
- 2
Goalie pulled
Extra skater
- 3
Net empty
No goalie
- 4
Score
Empty-net goal
The trailing team can also score and tie the game.
Empty-net effects
| Market | Effect |
|---|---|
| Total goals | Adds a goal late |
| Puck line -1.5 | Can turn a 1-goal lead into 2 |
| Puck line +1.5 | Can lose late |
| Empty-net prop | Yes wins |
Late goals often settle these bets.
When coaches pull the goalie
Coaches usually pull the goalie when trailing by one or two goals in the last few minutes. Many now pull earlier than in the past.
Delayed penalties also lead to a pulled goalie for a moment. A goal into an empty net during that time can count too.
Game state and chance
| Late game state | Empty-net chance |
|---|---|
| Tied | Low |
| One-goal game | High |
| Two-goal game | Medium |
| Three or more | Low |
Rough pattern; check current stats.
Puck line swings
A team up one late is often a -1.5 puck line loser until an empty-net goal makes it two.
That is why empty-net goals matter so much to puck line and total bettors, even when they do not change the winner.
Sequence
Betting the empty-net prop
Step 01
Check the spread
Close games.
Step 02
Look at coaches
Pull habits.
Step 03
Check scoring
Both teams.
Step 04
Read the rules
What counts.
Step 05
Compare prices
Several books.
A worked example
You bet $10 on Yes at +120. With two minutes left, the trailing team pulls its goalie down 3-2.
The leading team clears the puck into the empty net to make it 4-2. Your bet wins and returns $22.
Why coaches pull earlier
Analysis has shown that pulling the goalie earlier gives a trailing team a better chance to tie. Teams that defend well with a lead often score into the empty net.
Many coaches now pull with three or more minutes left when down one. That gives more time for empty-net goals both ways.
Coaches differ, so check how a coach has handled late deficits this season.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring game spreads
- Close games matter.
- Forgetting delayed penalties
- Short pulls count.
- Missing total effects
- A late goal adds up.
- Skipping rules
- Check settlement.
Shorthanded and power play pulls
A team on a late power play while trailing may pull its goalie for a six-on-four. A team with a hot shooter can also score from its own zone.
That raises the chance of tying the game but also of giving up an empty-net goal.
Live betting can capture these moments, but prices move quickly.
Floor rules
Hockey terms
Know before you sit
- Empty net
- No goalie in goal.
- Extra skater
- Sixth attacker.
- Delayed penalty
- Play continues until the other team touches the puck.
- Puck line
- Hockey spread.
- Pull the goalie
- Take the goalie off the ice for an extra attacker.
- Six on five
- Six skaters against five after a goalie is pulled.
- Clear
- Shoot the puck out of the defensive zone.
Totals and empty nets
A total of 5.5 in a 3-2 game with two minutes left often hinges on an empty net. Bettors on the over cheer for the pull. Some books offer a separate prop on which team scores an empty-net goal.
If you bet unders, expect late risk in close games.
Factor empty-net chances into totals when two close teams meet.
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01Basics
What is an empty-net goal?
A goal scored while the other team has pulled its goalie for an extra skater. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
When do teams pull the goalie?
Usually when trailing by one or two goals late in the third period. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Does either team count?
Yes. A goal into either empty net wins a Yes bet. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
02Rules
Does a goal during a delayed penalty count?
Usually yes, if the net was empty. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Does overtime count?
Usually yes, if the market covers the full game. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Does a shootout count?
No. Shootout goals are not empty-net goals. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
03Strategy
Which games favor Yes?
Close games with coaches who pull the goalie early. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
How do empty nets affect totals?
A late goal can push a total over. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Where can I get help?
If gambling stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for free, private help any time of day.
Sources
- NHL — Official rules Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Game rules
- Hockey Reference — NHL stats Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Empty-net goal statistics
- Wizard of Odds — Sports betting Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 15, 2026Sports betting math
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER