NHL betting schedule breakdown, rest edges: Jan. 27 – Feb. 2

Rest and fatigue have significant impacts on the NHL schedule, but they aren’t always reflected in betting odds. In fact, the betting market seems to undervalue them, with rested teams outperforming their odds and tired teams underperforming theirs. That’s why we kick off each week with a breakdown of which teams will have an advantage or disadvantage based on the schedule.

The table below shows how home-ice advantage was influenced by rest last season:

Rest Diff	Games	Home Win %	Implied Odds
Home >	373	59.0%	55.9%
Home =	690	53.8%	55.4%
Home <	249	47.8%	50.8%

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

Rest Diff	Games	Home Win %	Implied Odds
Home >	227	60.4%	56.0%
Home =	408	54.7%	54.8%
Home <	153	47.1%	51.9%

Monday, January 27th

The week kicks off with five games on Monday, and schedule-wise, there isn’t much to discuss. The Philadelphia Flyers, coming off a two-day break, are the only team with a rest advantage, as the other nine teams have had just one day off.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	1	LAK	DET	1
	1	NJD	PHI	2
	1	VAN	STL	1
	1	SEA	EDM	1
	1	PIT	SJS	1

Tuesday, January 28th

Tuesday’s schedule features a few marquee games and several matchups in which one team will have a rest advantage over the other. The Montreal Canadiens face a tough challenge as they try to avoid a third consecutive loss against the Winnipeg Jets, but they’ll have rest on their side. The same goes for the New York Islanders, who will host the new-look Colorado Avalanche following a two-day break. However, the Chicago Blackhawks are in a less favorable position as they visit a rested Tampa Bay Lightning team. Carolina, Dallas, and Washington are also in good spots despite being on the road. Meanwhile, Anaheim gains a significant edge, as the Ducks will be well-rested when they visit Seattle following the Kraken’s road game in Edmonton on Monday.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	2	BOS	BUF	2
	1	WPG	MTL	2
	1	CHI	TBL	2
	2	CAR	NYR	1
3/4	1	COL	NYI	2
	2	WSH	CGY	1	3/4
	2	DAL	VGK	1	4/6
	2	ANA	SEA	0	2/2

Wednesday, January 29th

Road teams will have a tough time on Wednesday, as the schedule favors four out of the five home teams. Minnesota will be well-rested, having had two days off heading into its game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, though the Leafs will still have a one-day rest advantage. The Florida Panthers will also be well-rested when they host the Los Angeles Kings, a different scenario from last week when the Panthers lost 2-1 in Los Angeles during the second half of a back-to-back. Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Penguins will conclude a seven-game road trip in Utah, while the Nashville Predators will aim to bounce back with a two-day rest advantage in their game against the Vancouver Canucks.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	2	MIN	TOR	3
	1	LAK	FLA	2
	1	PHI	NJD	1
	1	VAN	NSH	3
	1	PIT	UTA	2

Thursday, January 30th

Although the weekend is packed with NHL action, Thursday’s schedule is the busiest day of the week, with three teams playing the second half of back-to-back games. The Minnesota Wild will travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens following their game in Toronto on Tuesday. The Los Angeles Kings will take on the Lightning in Tampa Bay just one day after facing the Panthers, while the Philadelphia Flyers will return home to host the New York Islanders after playing in New Jersey on Wednesday.

The Ottawa Senators will have a two-day rest advantage when they return from a three-day break to host the Washington Capitals. The San Jose Sharks will also be well-rested when they visit Seattle to take on the Kraken, who will be playing their third game in four days. However, the Columbus Blue Jackets will have the biggest schedule-based edge of the day.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	1	WPG	BOS	1
2/2	0	MIN	MTL	1
	1	WSH	OTT	3
2/2	0	LAK	TBL	1
	1	NYI	PHI	0	2/2
	1	CHI	CAR	1
	1	ANA	CGY	1	4/6
	2	DET	EDM	2
	4	CBJ	VGK	1
	2	SJS	SEA	1	3/4

Friday, January 31st

On Friday, St. Louis continues its playoff push as it returns from a three-day break to visit the Colorado Avalanche, who will also be well-rested. Both Buffalo and Dallas will have an advantage over their opponents, thanks to some extra rest. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club will face the Blue Jackets, who will be the only truly tired team on Friday.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	1	NSH	BUF	2
	1	VAN	DAL	2
	3	STL	COL	2
2/2	0	CBJ	UTA	1

Saturday, February 1st

Saturday’s NHL slate features nine games, but only the Nashville Predators will be tired after playing on Friday. They’ll face a Pittsburgh Penguins team playing its first home game since January 14. Meanwhile, both the Wild and the Kings will be playing their third game in four nights.

Florida’s rest advantage against Chicago will make the Panthers even bigger favorites than they would be otherwise. The New York Rangers will also benefit from a two-day rest advantage, which could tip the scales in their favor against the Boston Bruins. Additionally, the schedule-makers gave the Toronto Maple Leafs an extra day of rest ahead of their game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	1	CHI	FLA	2
	3	NYR	BOS	1
3/4	1	MIN	OTT	1
	1	NYI	TBL	1
2/2	0	NSH	PIT	2
	1	WPG	WSH	1
3/4	1	LAK	CAR	1
	2	TOR	EDM	1
	1	DET	CGY	1

Sunday, February 2nd

With no NFL football on Sunday, the NHL is taking full advantage by scheduling nine games. The New York Islanders and Florida Panthers will go head-to-head after both teams played on Saturday, while the Rangers, Red Wings, and Flames will also play their second game in two days. Both New York and Calgary will face well-rested teams, but the Flames are arguably in the toughest spot, having played six games in the last nine days.

Other	Rest Days	Visitor	Home	Rest Days	Other
	3	NJD	BUF	1
	2	PHI	COL	1
	2	MTL	ANA	2
2/2	0	NYI	FLA	0	2/2
	2	VGK	NYR	0	2/2
3/4	1	CBJ	DAL	1
	1	STL	UTA	1
2/2	0	DET	VAN	1
6/9	0	CGY	SEA	2