NHL betting schedule breakdown: March 31-April 6

With a little over two weeks remaining in the regular season, rest and fatigue will continue to be important factors when handicapping NHL games and estimating playoff chances. This week’s article highlights rest mismatches for the week of March 31-April 6.
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 > | 355 | 59.7% | 56.3% |
Home = | 594 | 55.6% | 54.9% |
Home < | 227 | 50.2% | 52.4% |
Monday, March 31st
The week kicks off with just four games on Monday, but there are no real rest advantages outside of the fact that the New Jersey Devils will play their third game in four days. That said, this is the first half of a back-to-back for a couple of teams.
Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
1 | MIN | NJD | 1 | 3/4 | |
1 | NSH | PHI | 1 | ||
1 | CGY | COL | 1 | ||
1 | DAL | SEA | 1 |
Tuesday, April 1st
There are 10 games on Tuesday, including several rest mismatches. The Predators and Flames both play again after Monday’s action, but Nashville faces a well-rested Blue Jackets team, while Calgary meets a Utah squad playing its fourth game in six days. Meanwhile, the Bruins and Lightning each have a one-day rest advantage against the Capitals and Islanders, respectively.
Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
1 | WSH | BOS | 2 | ||
1 | FLA | MTL | 1 | 4/6 | |
3/4 | 1 | BUF | OTT | 1 | 3/4 |
2/2 | 0 | NSH | CBJ | 2 | |
2 | TBL | NYI | 1 | 3/4 | |
2 | DET | STL | 2 | ||
2/2 | 0 | CGY | UTA | 1 | 4/6 |
2 | EDM | VGK | 2 | ||
3/4 | 1 | SJS | ANA | 1 | |
1 | WPG | LAK | 1 | 3/4 |
Wednesday, April 2nd
All five road teams on Wednesday will have at least two days off, creating rest mismatches in every game. The Capitals and Panthers will be on the second half of a back-to-back against the Hurricanes and Maple Leafs, respectively. The Rangers will have a two-day rest advantage over the Wild, while the Blackhawks and Canucks will each have a one-day edge.
Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
1 | MIN | NYR | 3 | ||
2/2 | 0 | WSH | CAR | 2 | |
2/2 | 0 | FLA | TOR | 2 | |
1 | COL | CHI | 2 | ||
1 | SEA | VAN | 2 |
Thursday, April 3rd
The Penguins have the biggest advantage Thursday, returning from a three-day break to visit the Blues. Meanwhile, the Avalanche finish a back-to-back in Columbus, and the Stars have a one-day rest edge over the Predators.
Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
1 | BOS | MTL | 1 | ||
1 | TBL | OTT | 1 | 4/6 | |
2/2 | 0 | COL | CBJ | 1 | |
3 | PIT | STL | 1 | ||
3/4 | 1 | NSH | DAL | 2 | |
1 | LAK | UTA | 1 | ||
1 | ANA | CGY | 1 | 3/4 | |
1 | WPG | VGK | 1 | ||
1 | EDM | SJS | 1 | 4/6 |
Friday, April 4th
Friday’s three-game slate includes two rest mismatches. The Red Wings and Islanders each have a one-day rest advantage over the Hurricanes and Wild, respectively.
Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
1 | CAR | DET | 2 | ||
1 | CHI | WSH | 1 | 3/4 | |
1 | MIN | NYI | 2 |
Saturday, April 5th
Saturday’s 13-game slate includes several rest mismatches. The Devils host the Rangers after a four-day break, while Buffalo has a two-day rest edge over Tampa Bay. Philadelphia also returns from four days off, giving the Flyers a three-day advantage against Montreal. Meanwhile, the Canucks, Bruins, Maple Leafs, and Kraken each have a one-day rest edge.
Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
2 | NYR | NJD | 4 | ||
2 | FLA | OTT | 1 | ||
1 | PIT | DAL | 1 | ||
1 | ANA | VAN | 2 | ||
1 | EDM | LAK | 1 | ||
2/2 | 0 | CAR | BOS | 1 | |
1 | TBL | BUF | 3 | ||
1 | CBJ | TOR | 2 | ||
4 | PHI | MTL | 1 | ||
3/4 | 1 | COL | STL | 1 | |
1 | WPG | UTA | 1 | ||
1 | VGK | CGY | 1 | 4/6 | |
2 | SEA | SJS | 1 |
Sunday, April 6th
All but one road team on Sunday will be on the second half of a back-to-back, along with three home teams. The Senators, however, will be playing their sixth game in nine days, while Nashville is the only team with more than one day off.
Other | Rest Days | Visitor | Home | Rest Days | Other |
1 | WSH | NYI | 1 | ||
2/2 | 0 | DAL | MIN | 1 | |
2/2 | 0 | CBJ | OTT | 0 | 6/9 |
2/2 | 0 | FLA | DET | 1 | |
2/2 | 0 | BOS | BUF | 0 | 2/2 |
2/2 | 0 | PIT | CHI | 1 | |
2/2 | 0 | MTL | NSH | 2 | |
2/2 | 0 | VGK | VAN | 0 | 2/2 |