There are eight games on the NHL schedule Tuesday, including five in which a rested opponent is taking on a team that played Monday. Read on for today's NHL Best Bets.
Rest matters in the National Hockey League. Travel tends to leave a team fighting uphill when facing a back-to-back scenario. Not only do teams tend to play their backup goaltenders in those games, but they consistently generate fewer shots and score fewer goals.
Tuesday's closest game by the odds has the Minnesota Wild visiting the Washington Capitals. The Capitals won 4-3 in overtime against the New York Islanders on Monday, and return home for the second game of a back-to-back.
The Capitals have slumped somewhat after a hot streak in December. Washington has two regulation wins in the past seven games, both against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Wild, meanwhile, are 5-1-2 in their past eight road games.
It should be a compelling matchup, with the rested visitors catching a tired home team.