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NHL betting schedule breakdown, rest mismatches: Feb. 3 – Feb. 9
Andy MacNeil
Feb 3, 2025
NHL betting schedule breakdown, rest mismatches: Feb. 3 – Feb. 9
Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

This is the final week before the NHL pauses for the 4 Nations Face-Off from Feb. 12-20. Until then, teams must push through their remaining games, with some facing a more condensed schedule than others. This article breaks down the next seven days and highlights the biggest rest mismatches.

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

Rest DiffGamesHome Win %Implied Odds
Home >37359.0%55.9%
Home =69053.8%55.4%
Home <24947.8%50.8%

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

Rest DiffGamesHome Win %Implied Odds
Home >24859.7%56.2%
Home =42754.8%55.0%
Home <16747.3%52.1%

Monday, February 3rd

The week starts quietly with just one game as Nashville hosts Ottawa. The Predators will be playing their third game in four days, while the Senators begin a back-to-back. Nashville will have three days off following this game. This matchup might also be the first game back for goaltender Linus Ullmark.

OtherRest DaysVisitorHomeRest DaysOther
1OTTNSH13/4

Tuesday, February 4th

Tuesday is one of two 14-game slates this week. Ottawa faces a well-rested Tampa Bay team in the first of two meetings over three days, while Columbus plays its fourth game in six days against a surging Buffalo squad looking for its third straight win. The Blue Jackets are aiming for their fourth consecutive victory.

Several teams, including Florida and Calgary, will be playing their third game in four days against opponents coming off two days’ rest. Meanwhile, the Islanders and Red Wings are in similar spots but facing teams with just a one-day break. The biggest rest mismatch is Montreal vs. San Jose, as the Sharks will have been off for four days while the Canadiens had just one.

OtherRest DaysVisitorHomeRest DaysOther
2MINBOS2
4/61CBJBUF1
2/20OTTTBL2
1NJDPIT2
3/41FLAWSH2
1VGKNYI13/4
2EDMSTL1
2CARWPG2
2TORCGY13/4
1PHIUTA1
1COLVAN1
1DALANA1
3/41DETSEA1
1MTLSJS4

Wednesday, February 5th

All three road teams on Wednesday—Boston, Edmonton, and Montreal—will be playing the second half of back-to-back games against well-rested opponents. The Rangers host the Bruins after a two-day break, while Chicago and Los Angeles return from three-day breaks to face the Oilers and Canadiens.

OtherRest DaysVisitorHomeRest DaysOther
2/20BOSNYR2
2/20EDMCHI3
2/20MTLLAK3

Thursday, February 6th

Thursday features nine games, but every team will be on equal rest with just one day off, making it a light night in terms of schedule advantages. However, Calgary and Florida will be playing their fourth game in six days, while Ottawa plays its third game in four days.

OtherRest DaysVisitorHomeRest DaysOther
3/41OTTTBL1
1VGKNJD1
1WSHPHI1
1UTACBJ1
4/61FLASTL1
1CARMIN1
1COLCGY14/6
1TORSEA1
1VANSJS1

Friday, February 7th

Most road teams will be well-rested on Friday, except for Colorado, which plays the second half of a back-to-back in Edmonton. The Oilers won’t be fresh either, as this will be their third game in four days. Pittsburgh and Dallas will have a one-day rest advantage over their opponents, while Nashville will have a two-day edge against Chicago.

OtherRest DaysVisitorHomeRest DaysOther
2PITNYR1
2NYIWPG2
3NSHCHI1
2/20COLEDM13/4
2DALLAK1

Saturday, February 8th

Saturday’s 14-game slate features several teams playing back-to-back games, including Pittsburgh, the Rangers, Chicago, Nashville, the Islanders, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Among them, Nashville and Los Angeles face the biggest rest mismatches.

Additionally, three teams—Montreal, Detroit, and Boston—will have rest advantages over their opponents, while Ottawa plays its fourth game in six days against Florida.

OtherRest DaysVisitorHomeRest DaysOther
1NJDMTL2
1TBLDET3
1UTACAR1
1VGKBOS2
4/61OTTFLA1
2/20PITPHI1
2/20NYRCBJ1
2/20CHISTL1
1TORVAN1
3BUFNSH02/2
2/20NYIMIN1
1SEACGY1
3ANALAK02/2
2/20DALSJS1

Sunday, February 9th

Super Bowl Sunday wraps up the week with just two games before the NHL breaks for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Washington will have a two-day rest advantage over Utah, while Montreal hosts Tampa Bay in a game between two fatigued teams.

OtherRest DaysVisitorHomeRest DaysOther
2/20UTAWSH2
2/20TBLMTL02/2