NHL betting schedule breakdown, rest edges: March 3 – March 9
This week’s NHL schedule is much more balanced than last week, but that doesn’t mean teams won’t have to play tired. This article highlights the rest mismatches that we’ll see between March 3 – 9.
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 > | 289 | 59.9% | 56.1% |
| Home = | 495 | 54.9% | 54.8% |
| Home < | 181 | 46.4% | 52.0% |
Monday, March 3rd
The week opens with six games and two teams on back-to-backs. The Rangers continue their homestand against the Islanders after Sunday’s shutout win over Nashville. The Maple Leafs return home from a four-game road trip to host San Jose, while the Kings play their third game in four days in Chicago.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | OTT | WSH | 1 | ||
| 1 | BUF | MTL | 1 | ||
| 1 | TBL | FLA | 1 | ||
| 1 | NYI | NYR | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 1 | SJS | TOR | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 3/4 | 1 | LAK | CHI | 1 |
Tuesday, March 4th
Four teams play the second half of back-to-backs: the Sharks visit the Sabres, the Lightning host Columbus, and the Islanders welcome Winnipeg. Several teams, including Carolina, Calgary, and Pittsburgh, play their third game in four days against rested opponents. Seattle holds a one-day rest advantage over Minnesota.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 3/4 | 1 | NSH | BOS | 1 | 3/4 |
| 2/2 | 0 | SJS | BUF | 0 | 2/2 |
| 3/4 | 1 | CAR | DET | 2 | |
| 2 | CBJ | TBL | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 3/4 | 1 | CGY | PHI | 2 | |
| 2 | WPG | NYI | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 3/4 | 1 | NJD | DAL | 1 | |
| 3/4 | 1 | PIT | COL | 3 | |
| 2 | ANA | EDM | 2 | ||
| 1 | MIN | SEA | 2 |
Wednesday, March 5th
Wednesday is the lightest day with five games, featuring a few notable rest mismatches. Toronto plays its third game in four days against a rested Vegas team. St. Louis visits Los Angeles with a one-day rest edge, while Vancouver enjoys three days off before facing a fatigued Anaheim squad.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | WSH | NYR | 1 | 3/4 | |
| 1 | OTT | CHI | 1 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | TOR | VGK | 2 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | ANA | VAN | 3 | |
| 2 | STL | LAK | 1 | 4/6 |
Thursday, March 6th
Utah returns from a four-day break to face Detroit, which has one day of rest. Montreal holds a rest advantage in Edmonton, while Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Nashville, and San Jose all play their third game in four days or fourth in six.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 4 | UTA | DET | 1 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | BUF | TBL | 1 | 3/4 |
| 1 | CBJ | FLA | 2 | ||
| 1 | WPG | PHI | 1 | ||
| 1 | BOS | CAR | 1 | 4/6 | |
| 1 | SEA | NSH | 1 | 4/6 | |
| 1 | CGY | DAL | 1 | ||
| 2 | MTL | EDM | 1 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | SJS | COL | 1 |
Friday, March 7th
Winnipeg, Detroit, and Utah play back-to-backs, with the Jets facing a well-rested Devils team. Minnesota and Pittsburgh hold one-day rest advantages, while Anaheim hosts St. Louis for its third game in four days.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 2/2 | 0 | WPG | NJD | 2 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | DET | WSH | 1 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | UTA | CHI | 1 | |
| 2 | MIN | VAN | 1 | ||
| 2 | PIT | VGK | 1 | ||
| 1 | STL | ANA | 1 | 3/4 |
Saturday, March 8th
Saturday is busy, with 10 games on the schedule. Most games will be played between teams on equal rest, but several matchups could be influenced by rest and fatigue. Both the Rangers and Senators will be coming off two-day breaks when they meet in Ottawa. Toronto will have a one-day rest advantage in its road game against Colorado. Chicago and St. Louis will both conclude back-to-back sets, but the Blues will face a well-rested Kings team. Finally, the Islanders will have a two-day rest advantage over the Sharks, who will be returning from a seven-game road trip.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 2 | NYR | OTT | 2 | ||
| 1 | SEA | PHI | 1 | ||
| 1 | BOS | TBL | 1 | 4/6 | |
| 1 | BUF | FLA | 1 | ||
| 2 | TOR | COL | 1 | ||
| 1 | MTL | CGY | 1 | ||
| 2/2 | 0 | CHI | NSH | 1 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | STL | LAK | 2 | |
| 1 | DAL | EDM | 1 | ||
| 3 | NYI | SJS | 1 | 4/6 |
Sunday, March 9th
Sunday will be busy as well, with eight games on tap, and six matchups featuring a team playing its second game in as many days. Philadelphia will be playing tired against New Jersey, as will the Kraken when they visit the Capitals. The Kings, Stars, and Islanders will also be playing tired, but the Rangers will be in the toughest spot, facing a Blue Jackets team coming off a two-day break.
| Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
| 1 | NJD | PHI | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | SEA | WSH | 1 | |
| 1 | PIT | MIN | 1 | ||
| 3/4 | 1 | WPG | CAR | 2 | |
| 2 | CBJ | NYR | 0 | 2/2 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | LAK | VGK | 1 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | DAL | VAN | 1 | |
| 2/2 | 0 | NYI | ANA | 1 | 4/6 |