NHL betting schedule breakdown & rest mismatches: Oct. 28-Nov. 3
This week is packed for sports fans. The World Series is in full swing, while the NFL, NBA, and NHL seasons are all going strong. Hockey fans especially have plenty to look forward to, with games scheduled daily.
However, with so many games scheduled each day, it will be even more important for bettors to monitor which teams are rested and which teams are tired. After all, rest is an important factor to consider when betting on hockey.
| Rest Diff | Games | Home Win % | Implied Odds |
| Home > | 373 | 59.0% | 55.9% |
| Home = | 690 | 53.8% | 55.2% |
| Home < | 249 | 47.8% | 50.8% |
The table above illustrates how home-ice advantage was impacted by rest last season.
Monday, October 28
Today is a rare “sports equinox” with games across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL—only the 31st time in history this has happened! While the World Series Game 3 between the Yankees and Dodgers takes center stage, hockey has its own compelling matchups.
Amazon’s Monday Night Hockey will showcase an all-Canadian battle between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets, though the real highlight is Steven Stamkos’ return to Tampa Bay with the Nashville Predators. After 16 seasons with the Lightning, Stamkos will face his former team for the first time, marking a momentous third game in four days for Nashville.
Both the Oilers and the Avalanche also have challenging schedules, playing their second games in as many days. Edmonton will look to carry momentum from Sunday’s comeback against the Red Wings as they face Columbus, while Colorado seeks a sixth consecutive win, hosting Chicago.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | Florida Panthers | Buffalo Sabres | 1 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | Nashville Predators | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | Edmonton Oilers | Columbus Blue Jackets | 1 | |
| 1 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Winnipeg Jets | 1 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | Chicago Blackhawks | Colorado Avalanche | 0 | 2/2 |
| 1 | San Jose Sharks | Utah Hockey Club | 1 | ||
| 1 | Carolina Hurricanes | Vancouver Canucks | 1 | ||
| 1 | Calgary Flames | Vegas Golden Knights | 1 | 3/4 |
Tuesday, October 29
Typically one of the busiest days, this Tuesday is balanced with seven games. Notably, the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals face off in a key Metropolitan Division game, both teams benefiting from two days of rest. Meanwhile, the Sharks play their second game in two days as they host the Kings, who are coming in fresh with two days off.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 3/4 | 1 | Philadelphia Flyers | Boston Bruins | 2 | |
| 2 | Seattle Kraken | Montreal Canadiens | 1 | 3/4 | |
| 2 | St. Louis Blues | Ottawa Senators | 1 | ||
| 2 | New York Rangers | Washington Capitals | 2 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | Anaheim Ducks | New York Islanders | 2 | |
| 2 | Minnesota Wild | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2 | ||
| 2 | Los Angeles Kings | San Jose Sharks | 0 | 2/2 |
Wednesday, October 30
The schedule brings us a rematch of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, with Colorado playing its third game in four days against Tampa Bay. Rest mismatches loom, as the Islanders and Kings are both on back-to-back games against more-rested opponents. The Devils and Red Wings each enjoy a slight edge, with an extra day of rest.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 2/2 | 0 | New York Islanders | Columbus Blue Jackets | 1 | |
| 1 | Winnipeg Jets | Detroit Red Wings | 2 | ||
| 1 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Colorado Avalanche | 1 | 3/4 | |
| 1 | Calgary Flames | Utah Hockey Club | 1 | ||
| 2 | New Jersey Devils | Vancouver Canucks | 1 | ||
| 4/6 | 1 | Vegas Golden Knights | Los Angeles Kings | 0 | 2/2 |
Thursday, October 31
No teams played on Wednesday, giving everyone in action at least one day off. Toronto heads into its matchup against Seattle with a day of rest in hand, as do the Blackhawks, who travel to take on the Sharks, and Carolina, who will host the Bruins. This should level the playing field and make for some fresh, competitive matchups.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | Seattle Kraken | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2 | ||
| 1 | St. Louis Blues | Philadelphia Flyers | 1 | 4/6 | |
| 4/6 | 1 | Anaheim Ducks | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1 | |
| 4/6 | 1 | Montreal Canadiens | Washington Capitals | 1 | |
| 1 | Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | 2 | ||
| 2 | Edmonton Oilers | Nashville Predators | 2 | ||
| 2 | Chicago Blackhawks | San Jose Sharks | 1 | 3/4 |
Friday, November 1
Florida and Dallas are both well-rested, but while the Panthers have the ideal three-day break, Dallas might be rusty after five days off. The Rangers and Senators also enjoy two days of rest, while Buffalo has a three-day edge as they host the Islanders, who will be playing their third game in four days.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 3 | Florida Panthers | Dallas Stars | 5 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | New York Islanders | Buffalo Sabres | 3 | |
| 2 | Ottawa Senators | New York Rangers | 2 | ||
| 1 | Winnipeg Jets | Columbus Blue Jackets | 1 | ||
| 1 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Minnesota Wild | 2 | ||
| 1 | New Jersey Devils | Calgary Flames | 1 |
Saturday, November 2
Florida and Dallas face off again, this time in Florida. The Senators, Blue Jackets, and Sabres might struggle with fatigue, especially Buffalo, which plays a rested Detroit on the road. Los Angeles, Colorado, and Vancouver each have slight rest advantages over their opponents.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 2/2 | 0 | Dallas Stars | Florida Panthers | 0 | 2/2 |
| 1 | Boston Bruins | Philadelphia Flyers | 1 | ||
| 1 | Chicago Blackhawks | Los Angeles Kings | 2 | ||
| 2/2 | 0 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Washington Capitals | 1 | |
| 1 | Seattle Kraken | Ottawa Senators | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | Buffalo Sabres | Detroit Red Wings | 2 | |
| 1 | Montreal Canadiens | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1 | ||
| 1 | Toronto Maple Leafs | St. Louis Blues | 1 | ||
| 2 | Colorado Avalanche | Nashville Predators | 1 | ||
| 2 | Utah Hockey Club | Vegas Golden Knights | 2 | ||
| 2 | Vancouver Canucks | San Jose Sharks | 1 | 4/6 |
Sunday, November 3
The week wraps up with seven games, four of which feature teams playing back-to-back. The Bruins and Kraken meet after Saturday’s action, while Washington has a quick turnaround as they visit Carolina, who will be well-rested with two days off. Chicago, wrapping up a five-game road trip, also faces a tough back-to-back against Anaheim. Elsewhere, Toronto travels to Minnesota after Saturday’s clash with the Blues.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 4/6 | 1 | New York Islanders | New York Rangers | 1 | |
| 1 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Winnipeg Jets | 1 | ||
| 2/2 | 0 | Seattle Kraken | Boston Bruins | 0 | 2/2 |
| 2/2 | 0 | Washington Capitals | Carolina Hurricanes | 2 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Minnesota Wild | 1 | |
| 2 | Edmonton Oilers | Calgary Flames | 1 | ||
| 2/2 | 0 | Chicago Blackhawks | Anaheim Ducks | 2 |