Naturally, the parity in the NHL also makes it hard to handicap games. Of course, the first step in betting on the NHL is finding the right sportsbook. There has long been a FanDuel vs DraftKings debate among bettors. That’s because both cover a broad range of states and betting markets and come with a lot of attractive features for bettors.

However, even after you choose a sportsbook, a lot of thought goes into every NHL bet. There are several angles to consider, although there are three that stand out from the rest. Let’s take a closer look at the three things every bettor should consider before placing a wager on an NHL game.

Home-Ice Advantage

The first thing to check is always what team is playing at home and what team is on the road. The home team always has a slight edge for various reasons. Not only do home teams benefit from the support of their fans, but they also enjoy a significant advantage in hockey by having the final change. This allows the home team to control matchups on the ice, which is a critical part of NHL strategy.

For example, home teams can send their best players onto the ice right after the away team has put one of its weaker lineups on the ice. This creates a clear advantage for home teams on top of the obvious advantage of being in familiar surroundings and having the support of the crowd. This is why home teams win a majority of games and why weaker teams can often defeat stronger teams if they are at home.

Travel Schedule of Each Team

The NHL schedule requires a lot of travel, and not all travel is created equal. When you fly from Miami to Vancouver, the extent of your jet lag can be quite significant. It’s a lot different from a team traveling from Boston to New York or from Columbus to Chicago. Despite being in tremendous shape, NHL players are still vulnerable to jetlag and the effects of travel.

As a result, teams can experience various physical challenges that come with long road trips. The amount of travel a visiting team has done in recent days should be factored into every game. We’ve already established that away teams face an uphill battle. However, the distance they covered to get there matters too. Of course, the same can be said of a home team that’s coming off a long road trip and has done a lot of traveling in recent days. In a tight matchup, the team that hasn’t done as much traveling could have an edge.

Who’s More Rested?

Checking the injury report for key players who might be too hurt to play is an obvious part of NHL betting. However, on top of recent travel, it’s also important to factor in what team is more rested coming into the game. After all, additional rest can help players who are battling injuries. Likewise, the physicality of hockey can make it difficult to play games on consecutive nights. Teams are also more likely to use more players in these situations, diluting the talent level on the ice and giving their opponent an edge.

There is data that shows how difficult it is to win when playing for the second day in a row. This is particularly true for road teams that have to play on consecutive days, especially when they travel in between. The ideal situation for NHL teams is to be playing a home with at least two full days of rest since their last game. These teams win nearly 60% of the time, which is a strong indicator of why rest is a critical factor to consider when betting on NHL games.