MoneyRules

NHL player points props: will he score or set one up?

An NHL points prop asks whether a player gets more or fewer points than a line, usually 0.5. A goal is one point and each assist is one point, so a goal plus an assist equals two.

Reviewed Oct 15, 2026

Answer first

90s

01A goal or an assist is one point.
02Most lines are 0.5 or 1.5.
03Power play time drives the price.

Key numbers

NHL points props at a glance

0.5Common lineMost skaters

1.5Common lineTop stars

2Assists possiblePer goal

-150Typical overTop line star

In short

Key takeaways

Goals and assists both count.
Up to two assists per goal.
Power play time matters.
Shootout goals do not count.

Progress

How a point is earned

1
Pass
First assist
2
Pass
Second assist
3
Shot
Goal
4
Scorer
Credits players
5
Total
Bet graded

Up to three players earn a point on each goal.

Example points prices

Player type	Line	Over	Under
Top-line star	0.5	-200	+160
Elite star	1.5	+190	-250
Top-pair defenseman	0.5	+110	-140
Second-line forward	0.5	+130	-165
Fourth-line forward	0.5	+300	-420

Made-up prices for illustration.

How points are credited

On each goal, the scorer gets a goal and up to two teammates get assists. The last two players to touch the puck before the scorer earn them.

Power play goals count the same as even strength goals. Empty net goals count as well, which helps players on the winning team late.

Shootout goals do not count as points. Overtime goals do count at most books, since overtime is part of the official game.

Points per game and over 0.5 chance

Points per game	Rough over chance	Fair odds
1.20	70%	-233
0.90	59%	-144
0.60	45%	+122
0.40	33%	+203

Our own rough estimates, assuming points arrive at random.

What moves the price

Power play time is the biggest factor. Players on the first power play unit get most of the extra chances when the other team takes penalties.

Linemates matter. A forward playing with a star center gets more assists than the same player on a checking line.

The goalie and the total matter. A game total of 6.5 suggests more goals, and more goals means more points for everyone.

Sequence

Checking a points prop

Step 01
Check the lineup
Line and power play unit.
Step 02
Look at the goalie
Starter or backup.
Step 03
Check the total
High or low scoring.
Step 04
Read injuries
Who moves up.
Step 05
Compare prices
Odds vary by book.

Rules and settlement

The bet is usually void if the player does not dress. Once he plays a shift, the bet stands even if he leaves hurt.

Points are credited by the official scorer, and assists can be changed after review. Books usually use the stats at the end of the game.

Shootouts are not part of player stats, so a shootout winner does not earn a point.

Floor rules

Points terms

Know before you sit

Point: Goal or assist.
Primary assist: Last pass before the goal.
Power play: Team has an extra skater.
Line: Group of forwards on ice.

A worked example

A top-line center has a points line of 0.5 at -160 over. He averages 1.05 points per game and plays on the first power play unit.

Midway through the second period he makes the second pass on a power play goal and earns a secondary assist. That one point wins the over.

A $16 bet at -160 returns $26, a profit of $10. If his only point had come in a shootout, the bet would have lost, since shootout goals do not count. Late in close games, top units also play more minutes, which adds chances.

Common mistakes

Overpaying for overs: -200 needs 67% wins.
Ignoring power play units: Big source of points.
Forgetting shootouts: They do not count.
Missing lineup changes: Lines change daily.

Keep reading

Go play

Where to play in Las Vegas

Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.

Open a casino page

Real listings · not ads

Browse all Las Vegas casinos →

After the 90 seconds

Questions before and after you play

A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.

01Basics

What counts as a point?

A goal or an assist. A player who scores and sets up another goal has two points.

How many assists can a goal have?

Up to two. The scorer gets the goal and up to two teammates get assists. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

What is a 0.5 line?

The over needs one point or more; the under needs no points at all. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

02Rules

Do overtime points count?

Yes at most books, since overtime is part of the official game. Check the house rules.

Do shootout goals count?

No. Shootout goals are not added to player stats. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

What if he does not play?

The bet is usually void and the stake returned if he never takes a shift. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

03Strategy

Who goes over most often?

Top-line forwards and power play defensemen with more than one point per game. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

Why is the over priced so short?

Stars get points in most games, so the book prices the over heavily. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.

Where can I get help?

If betting 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 and stat definitions
Hockey Reference — NHL stats Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026League and player statistics
Wizard of Odds — Sports betting Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · 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