NHL total goals: over or under on the score

• A shootout winner counts as one goal.
• Regulation-only totals ignore overtime.
• Goalies move lines most.
• Empty net goals count.

Check whether your bet includes overtime.

Most full-game totals include overtime. If the game goes to a shootout, the winner is credited with one goal, no matter how many shootout goals were scored.

A 3-3 game decided in a shootout counts as 7 goals, beating an over 6.5. That makes ties after regulation good for the over.

Regulation-only totals count just 60 minutes. Those lines are often priced a little differently.

Goalies matter most. When a backup starts, totals often rise by half a goal.

Power plays add goals. Teams that take many penalties give up more chances on the man advantage.

Empty net goals count. A team trailing late pulls its goalie, which often leads to a late goal for one side.

1. 1

   Step 01

   Confirm the goalies

   Starter or backup.

2. 2

   Step 02

   Look at pace

   Shots per game.

3. 3

   Step 03

   Check penalties

   Power play chances.

4. 4

   Step 04

   Know the rules

   Overtime included?

5. 5

   Step 05

   Compare lines

   5.5 vs 6.5.

Full-game totals include overtime and the shootout goal at most books. Regulation totals end after 60 minutes.

If a game is postponed, bets are usually void. If it is stopped and not finished, rules vary.

Some books also offer alternate totals, such as 4.5 or 7.5, at different prices.

You bet $11 on the over 6.5 at -110. Both teams start backup goalies, and the score is 3-3 after 60 minutes.

Overtime ends scoreless. The home team wins the shootout 2-1. The final is recorded as 4-3, a total of 7, so the over wins and returns $21. Shootout goals beyond the winning one are not added.

A regulation-only total of 6.5 would have lost with 6 goals. That is the key difference between the two bet types. Read the bet slip to see which one you are placing. Many bettors miss this difference.

Ignoring the goalie

Backups allow more.

Forgetting the shootout goal

It counts.

Mixing bet types

Regulation vs full game.

Skipping penalties

Power plays add goals.

Teams playing the second night of a back-to-back often start their backup goalie. Tired legs can also lead to more defensive mistakes.

Long road trips matter too. A team on the fifth game of a trip may give up more chances late in games.

Late-season games between teams out of the race can be more open, with less defensive effort. Check standings before betting totals in March and April.

• NHL puck line →Game spread.
• NHL period betting →One period.
• Over/under betting →Totals basics.
• NHL goalie saves →Saves lines.

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1. NHL — Official rules Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Game rules and scoring
2. Hockey Reference — NHL stats Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026League and team statistics
3. 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
4. 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