Which NHL team ranks first in Rest edge in 2026-27?

The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 1st with the highest Rest edge in the NHL, +13. The top three: Tampa Bay Lightning (+13), Nashville Predators (+7), Vegas Golden Knights (+5).

Does rest matter in the NHL?

Yes. Teams on the second night of a back-to-back against rested opponents win noticeably less often, and their goalies are usually backups.

How do I use the schedule for fantasy hockey?

Favour players with more games and better rest in a given week, and target opponents playing on back-to-backs.

Schedule

Schedule Edge (rest advantage): NHL team rankings

Full schedule · 2026-27 schedule · Rest edge

Games where the team is more rested than its opponent, minus games where it is less rested.

In 2026-27, the Tampa Bay Lightning rank 1st in Rest edge (full schedule) at +13, the best mark in the NHL. The Winnipeg Jets sit 32nd at −7. The league average is 0.

All 32 teams by Rest edge

Highest first. Each team links to Rest edge on its own stats page.

NHL teams ranked by Rest edge, 2026-27 schedule
Rk	Team	Rest edge
1	Tampa Bay LightningTBL	+13
2	Nashville PredatorsNSH	+7
3	Vegas Golden KnightsVGK	+5
4	Chicago BlackhawksCHI	+4
5	Anaheim DucksANA	+3
5	Calgary FlamesCGY	+3
5	Edmonton OilersEDM	+3
5	Montreal CanadiensMTL	+3
5	Philadelphia FlyersPHI	+3
10	Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ	+2
11	Colorado AvalancheCOL	+1
11	Detroit Red WingsDET	+1
11	Toronto Maple LeafsTOR	+1
11	Washington CapitalsWSH	+1
15	New Jersey DevilsNJD	0
15	St. Louis BluesSTL	0
15	Vancouver CanucksVAN	0
18	Dallas StarsDAL	−1
18	Florida PanthersFLA	−1
18	Minnesota WildMIN	−1
18	New York IslandersNYI	−1
18	Utah MammothUTA	−1
23	Boston BruinsBOS	−2
24	New York RangersNYR	−3
24	Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT	−3
26	Carolina HurricanesCAR	−4
26	Los Angeles KingsLAK	−4
28	San Jose SharksSJS	−5
28	Seattle KrakenSEA	−5
30	Buffalo SabresBUF	−6
30	Ottawa SenatorsOTT	−6
32	Winnipeg JetsWPG	−7

Above league average
Below

Centre line = league average, 0

How we calculate team Rest edge

For every game on the season schedule we compare days since each team's previous game. A team with more rest gains one, the more tired team loses one.

Why it matters for fantasy hockey

Rested teams beat tired ones more often: a team on the second night of a back-to-back against a rested opponent won only 38–44% of games from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Stream skaters on teams with a rest edge.

How to read it

Positive is a friendly schedule. The Schedule Edge tool turns each game's rest and travel into a win-probability edge.

Limitations

Rest is one factor. Opponent strength matters far more for a single game.

Go deeper

On each team's pages, Rest edge also appears in the Schedule Edge, next games section, linked from its row in Team analytics.

More schedule stats

FAQ

Which NHL team ranks first in Rest edge in 2026-27?: The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 1st with the highest Rest edge in the NHL, +13. The top three: Tampa Bay Lightning (+13), Nashville Predators (+7), Vegas Golden Knights (+5).
Does rest matter in the NHL?: Yes. Teams on the second night of a back-to-back against rested opponents win noticeably less often, and their goalies are usually backups.
How do I use the schedule for fantasy hockey?: Favour players with more games and better rest in a given week, and target opponents playing on back-to-backs.

Ranks are among the 32 current teams; 1st is the highest value. Regular season only, updated through the latest processed games.