NHL betting schedule breakdown & rest mismatches: Nov. 4-10
The NHL schedule returns to normal this week, with busier days on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and lighter schedules on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Since rest is crucial when handicapping hockey, I map out the week ahead to identify potential scheduling disadvantages for teams before placing my bets.
The table below shows how home-ice advantage was affected by rest last season:
| Rest Diff | Games | Home Win % |
| Home > | 373 | 59.0% |
| Home = | 690 | 53.8% |
| Home < | 249 | 47.8% |
The following table reflects the current season’s data, though the sample size is limited. Still, being rested is generally more beneficial than being tired, according to the odds:
| Rest Diff | Games | Home Win % |
| Home > | 54 | 57.4% |
| Home = | 102 | 52.9% |
| Home < | 34 | 55.9% |
Monday, November 4
The Edmonton Oilers will play their second consecutive game when they return home after a 4-2 win in Calgary to host the New Jersey Devils on Monday. In contrast, New Jersey is well-rested, having had two days off since its 3-0 shutout loss to the Flames. Meanwhile, Los Angeles and Nashville will face off, with both teams enjoying a day off to prepare. This matchup marks the first of two games in two days for the Kings, who will play four games in six days this week.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | Los Angeles Kings | Nashville Predators | 1 | ||
| 2 | New Jersey Devils | Edmonton Oilers | 0 | 2/2 |
Tuesday, November 5
While Los Angeles is the only team playing its second game in two days, Tuesday features several rest mismatches. Montreal, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Utah, Colorado, and Vancouver will all look to capitalize on an extra day of rest. Seattle, in particular, is in a challenging situation. The Kraken have been shut out in back-to-back games and will play their third road game in four days when they visit the Avalanche, who will have had two days off. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs and Bruins will meet for the second time this season, marking the third game in four days for both teams.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 2 | Ottawa Senators | Buffalo Sabres | 2 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | Boston Bruins | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1 | 3/4 |
| 1 | Calgary Flames | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | ||
| 2 | Philadelphia Flyers | Carolina Hurricanes | 1 | ||
| 2 | Pittsburgh Penguins | New York Islanders | 1 | ||
| 1 | Tampa Bay Lightning | St. Louis Blues | 2 | ||
| 2/2 | 0 | Los Angeles Kings | Minnesota Wild | 1 | |
| 2 | Utah Hockey Club | Winnipeg Jets | 1 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | Seattle Kraken | Colorado Avalanche | 2 | |
| 2 | Vancouver Canucks | Anaheim Ducks | 1 | ||
| 2 | Columbus Blue Jackets | San Jose Sharks | 2 |
Wednesday, November 6
The Predators will have one day off between their home game against the Kings and their first road game, which starts a stretch of 14 out of 19 games away from home. Washington will be fresh ahead of this matchup. Detroit and Vegas will both have three days off before their respective road games, while the Blackhawks will be on two days’ rest when they host the Red Wings. The Golden Knights will be in a favorable position on Wednesday in Edmonton, as the Oilers will be playing their third game in four nights after back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | Nashville Predators | Washington Capitals | 2 | ||
| 3 | Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Blackhawks | 2 | ||
| 3 | Vegas Golden Knights | Edmonton Oilers | 1 | 3/4 |
Thursday, November 7
Thursday will be another busy day with a dozen games scheduled, and most teams have had at least one day off. Nashville will travel to Florida to face the Panthers in the second half of a back-to-back, while the Panthers come in well-rested with four days off after their sweep of the Stars in Finland. Dallas will also benefit from a break, hosting the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago’s second road game in as many nights. Montreal, on the other hand, will be on short rest when it visits New Jersey, where the Devils will have had a couple of days off to recharge after their recent road trip. The Rangers will also be well-rested ahead of their matchup against the Sabres. Most games will feature teams that have had a day off.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | Calgary Flames | Boston Bruins | 1 | 4/6 | |
| 1 | New York Islanders | Ottawa Senators | 1 | ||
| 1 | Philadelphia Flyers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1 | ||
| 2/2 | 0 | Nashville Predators | Florida Panthers | 4 | |
| 1 | Montreal Canadiens | New Jersey Devils | 2 | ||
| 1 | Buffalo Sabres | New York Rangers | 3 | ||
| 1 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Carolina Hurricanes | 1 | ||
| 1 | Utah Hockey Club | St. Louis Blues | 1 | ||
| 2/2 | 0 | Chicago Blackhawks | Dallas Stars | 4 | |
| 1 | Colorado Avalanche | Winnipeg Jets | 1 | ||
| 1 | Vancouver Canucks | Los Angeles Kings | 1 | 3/4 | |
| 1 | Minnesota Wild | San Jose Sharks | 1 |
Friday, November 8
Friday’s NHL schedule includes only four games, but all of them feature a rest mismatch, with three favoring the home team. This includes two teams that played the previous night: the Penguins, who will be in Washington, and the Wild, who will be in Anaheim.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | Detroit Red Wings | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2 | ||
| 2/2 | 0 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Washington Capitals | 1 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | Minnesota Wild | Anaheim Ducks | 2 | |
| 1 | Vegas Golden Knights | Seattle Kraken | 2 |
Saturday, November 9
The early portion of Saturday’s schedule features a matchup between Toronto and Montreal, marking their first meeting since the Canadiens shut out the Maple Leafs on opening night. This will be Toronto’s second game in two days after hosting the Red Wings on Friday. Detroit will also be in action at home against the New York Rangers, while Washington plays its second game in as many nights. The later schedule includes several marquee games, including a clash between the Hurricanes and Avalanche, and a game between Edmonton and Vancouver. However, only the Oilers and Blue Jackets have a rest advantage.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | Calgary Flames | Buffalo Sabres | 1 | ||
| 1 | Philadelphia Flyers | Florida Panthers | 1 | ||
| 1 | Ottawa Senators | Boston Bruins | 1 | ||
| 1 | Montreal Canadiens | Toronto Maple Leafs | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 1 | New York Rangers | Detroit Red Wings | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | Washington Capitals | St. Louis Blues | 1 | |
| 1 | Dallas Stars | Winnipeg Jets | 1 | ||
| 1 | New Jersey Devils | New York Islanders | 1 | ||
| 1 | Utah Hockey Club | Nashville Predators | 1 | 3/4 | |
| 1 | Carolina Hurricanes | Colorado Avalanche | 1 | ||
| 3 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Los Angeles Kings | 1 | 4/6 | |
| 2 | Edmonton Oilers | Vancouver Canucks | 1 |
Sunday, November 10
Sunday’s schedule is less exciting compared to the rest of the week, featuring just three games, all involving teams on short rest. New Jersey and Columbus will both be playing their second game in as many nights, while Chicago will have a rest advantage over Minnesota, which will be playing its third game in four days.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 2 | San Jose Sharks | New Jersey Devils | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 3/4 | 1 | Minnesota Wild | Chicago Blackhawks | 2 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Anaheim Ducks | 1 |