NHL betting schedule breakdown & rest edges: Dec. 30 – Jan. 5

All 32 teams enjoyed some well-deserved rest over the holidays, but with the NHL back in full swing, it’s time to focus on which teams face the toughest schedule spots this week. The table below shows how home-ice advantage was influenced by rest last season:

Rest Diff	Games	Home Win %
Home >	373	59.0%
Home =	690	53.8%
Home <	249	47.8%

Here’s how rest has impacted home-ice advantage this season:

Rest Diff	Games	Home Win %
Home >	168	61.3%
Home =	312	53.8%
Home <	104	40.4%

As these numbers show, rest is a key factor in handicapping NHL games. That’s why, each week, we break down the schedule to highlight which teams are tired and which are rested.

Monday, December 30th

Monday’s schedule features a rematch of the 2024 Eastern Conference Final, with the New York Rangers visiting the Florida Panthers. Florida aims to rebound after back-to-back shutout losses, one before the break and one after. New York, on the other hand, looks to snap a three-game losing streak, though it won’t be easy—they’ve managed just four wins in their last 18 games. Both teams enter the matchup with equal rest.

Elsewhere, the Nashville Predators hold a one-day rest advantage in their Central Division clash with the Jets in Winnipeg. The same goes for the Utah Hockey Club, who face the Seattle Kraken. Winnipeg, Nashville, and Utah will all play again on Tuesday.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	1	NYR	FLA	1
	2	NSH	WPG	1
	2	UTA	SEA	1

Tuesday, December 31st

Winnipeg faces the toughest schedule spot on New Year’s Eve. The Jets will play the Avalanche in Colorado on the second half of a back-to-back, while Colorado comes in rested after three days off. Nashville will also be fatigued when it heads to Minnesota to face the Wild, though the Wild will have had just one day off. Utah, by comparison, catches a bit of a break, as the Hockey Club will face an Edmonton team playing its third game in four days.

Anaheim continues a grueling week, playing its third game in four days against the New Jersey Devils. The Ducks are one of eight teams in this spot on Tuesday, but the challenge varies. For Anaheim, it’s particularly tough, as the Devils will have had two days off. The same goes for the Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Calgary Flames, all facing opponents coming off two days’ rest.

The 2025 Discover NHL Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues will take place outdoors at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Eve.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	2	BOS	WSH	1	3/4
3/4	1	NYI	TOR	2
3/4	1	MTL	VGK	1
	1	STL	CHI	1
3/4	1	PIT	DET	1
	2	CAR	CBJ	2
	1	BUF	DAL	1
2/2	0	NSH	MIN	1
2/2	0	WPG	COL	3
	2	NJD	ANA	1	3/4
3/4	1	PHI	SJS	2
	2	VAN	CGY	1	3/4
2/2	0	UTA	EDM	1	3/4

Wednesday, January 1st

New Jersey will continue its six-game road trip, which runs through California. The Devils will play the Los Angeles Kings in the second half of a back-to-back. No other games are scheduled for New Year’s Day.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
2/2	0	NJD	LAK	2

Thursday, January 2nd

Although Thursday’s schedule doesn’t include any back-to-backs, there are still notable rest mismatches. San Jose faces a two-day rest disadvantage against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who routed the Sharks 8-1 about a month ago. Meanwhile, Florida will have had two days off when it hosts the Carolina Hurricanes, as will the Rangers when they take on the Boston Bruins. Seattle also holds a one-day rest advantage in its matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. 

The Ducks, Capitals, Islanders, Flames, and Flyers will all be playing their fourth game in six days on Thursday, while it will be three games in four days for both Winnipeg and Utah.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	1	CAR	FLA	2
	1	BOS	NYR	2
	1	MIN	WSH	1	4/6
	1	DET	CBJ	1
	1	TOR	NYI	1	4/6
	3	OTT	DAL	1
4/6	1	ANA	WPG	1	3/4
	1	BUF	COL	1
3/4	1	UTA	CGY	1	4/6
4/6	1	PHI	VGK	1
	1	VAN	SEA	2
	3	TBL	SJS	1

Friday, January 3rd

As if playing a fourth game in six days against the Jets wasn’t tough enough, Anaheim will follow it up with a fifth game in seven days against the Oilers, who will surely be looking for revenge after Sunday’s lackluster performance against the Ducks.

The Panthers, Senators, and Canucks will also face a tough spot on Friday, each playing their second game in as many nights against opponents coming off two days of rest. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens and Blackhawks will both have had two days off when they meet in Chicago.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	2	PIT	FLA	0	2/2
	2	MTL	CHI	2
2/2	0	OTT	STL	2
5/7	0	ANA	EDM	2
	2	NSH	VAN	0	2/2

Saturday, January 4th

This week’s schedule certainly favors the Colorado Avalanche, who will host another fatigued opponent when the Canadiens visit Ball Arena on Saturday. Meanwhile, Nashville, St. Louis, and Edmonton will also be playing tired, taking on Columbus, Calgary, and Seattle, respectively. Winnipeg will play its fourth game in six days as it hosts Detroit, while Utah faces a similar challenge on the road in Dallas.

New Jersey will have a two-day rest advantage against the San Jose Sharks, as will Los Angeles when it hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning. The remaining games will feature teams on equal rest.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	1	NYR	WSH	1
	1	DET	WPG	1	4/6
	2	NJD	SJS	1
	1	BOS	TOR	1
	1	MIN	CAR	1
2/2	0	STL	CBJ	1
2/2	0	MTL	COL	1
2/2	0	NSH	CGY	1
4/6	1	UTA	DAL	1
	1	TBL	LAK	2
	1	BUF	VGK	1
2/2	0	EDM	SEA	1

Sunday, January 5th

Every game on Sunday’s schedule involves a rest mismatch. Five of the 10 teams in action—the Rangers, Bruins, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, and Lightning—will be coming off Saturday games. However, Tampa Bay might actually have the edge over its opponent, as the Ducks will be playing their sixth game in nine days, albeit at home. Meanwhile, the Islanders and Flyers will both enjoy two-day rest advantages over fatigued opponents.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
2/2	0	NYR	CHI	1
	2	NYI	BOS	0	2/2
	1	PIT	CAR	0	2/2
	2	PHI	TOR	0	2/2
2/2	0	TBL	ANA	1	6/9