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