Taking favourites on the puckline (or plus, for Proline players) is a nice way to fatten the payout or lessen your risk.

If you get a favoured team on the puckline or plus, it means they need to win by more than one goal for you to win your bet. Since it’s a bit harder for the favourite to win by two or more, you’ll get juicier odds, often turning a favourite into an underdog price.

The bad part about taking a favourite on the puckline or plus is that if they only win by a goal, you lose. If the game goes to overtime or a shootout, you lose, no matter what happens after regulation.

You’re banking on a blowout, or maybe a late empty-netter to give your team a two-goal lead.

Each year, certain teams are better than others at winning by more than one goal. Here’s a look at the best puckline (or plus) favourites so far this season in the NHL, and some of the worst.

Stats as of Monday, Dec. 20

Good

Montreal Canadiens – More than two thirds (13 of 19) of Montreal’s wins this year have come by two or more goals.

Vancouver Canucks – Exactly two thirds (12 of 18) of Vancouver’s wins were by two goals or more.

Detroit Red Wings – Wings have won 20 games, 13 of them by two goals or more.

Bad

Dallas Stars – Only six of Dallas’ 20 wins have been by two goals or more.

Anaheim Ducks – Seventeen wins for the Ducks so far, but just six by two-plus goals.

Nashville Predators – Nashville has 17 wins, but only seven by two goals or more.

Want better hockey odds? Check out the odds at offshore sportsbooks like Pinnacle or 5Dimes, where you only need to bet one game at a time instead of three games with Proline.